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Things You Don’t Know About French Guiana

French Guiana is nowhere to be found on most people’s travel radar, so it is common that your average traveler might not even know it exists. Still, it doesn’t mean this is a destination that does not deserve some attention, as it presents a unique environment that fuses African, South American, and European cultures.

French Guiana is one confusing country – well, if we can call it a country. It sounds like a place we could find in Africa, yet it sits along the Caribbean shores of South America and it uses the Euro as its main currency. There are many things that make this place interesting and worth visiting, but here I’m going to share four things you might not know about it and will hopefully make you want to visit.

It is a department of France

During the 15th-century, the Treaty of Tordesillas divided South America, leaving Portugal much of what would become Brazil, and leaving Spain the rest. Somehow, along the way, the French managed to grab 0.5 percent of the continent and 0.06 percent of its population – turning it into what we know now as French Guiana.

French Guiana is like the Alaska of France. It is like a state – in this case, a department– but it is not connected to the mainland. Hey, it’s not even connected to the same continent! So, when you’re visiting French Guiana, you’re actually visiting France. Being France, the Euro is used there, French is the first language, and baguettes are found on every table. The major difference is that you are in a tropical environment next to the Amazon Forest. And you know what’s funny? We can say there’s part of the Amazon in France!

It is home to the European Space Center

Isn’t it interesting that the European Space Center is not on the European continent? The main reason for placing it in French Guiana, besides being part of France, is that it is the closest portion of Europe to the equator. The closer a rocket launches from the equator, the more effective the launch since the earth’s rotation helps with the rocket’s velocity – making it up to 25% more effective than launching from the European continent.

While this station does not launch humans into space, it is famous for launching supplies to the International Space Station and several telecommunication satellites. Free, guided visits are offered to the public (with advanced reservations) and if you manage to be there during a rocket launch, you can even reserve a spot to see the launch from inside the station. You can check the current launch schedule on their official website.

It might be “Europe,” but public transportation is non-existent

Call it France, but its public transportation is nowhere near France’s well-developed intermodal transportation. Tourists and locals traveling on a budget rely on the kindness of strangers to hitchhike from one city to another, or even to move around within the city. There are a few private bus services that offer limited transportation between major towns and cities, but again, they are quite limited. It is possible to rent a car there, but it is not a cheap option.

Luckily, locals are aware of the transportation problem, so they are very kind to people looking for a ride, whether for free or shared cost. In fact, there’s a website, blada.com, where people propose to share their car for a specific trip or request a seat on any available ride on a given day. The site is in French, and from my experience, most people using it don’t speak any English. So, better start practicing your French!

It is home to what was considered the most feared penal colony in the world

French Guiana was the “prison of France”, so it is not surprising that its main tourist attractions are decaying prisons from its days as a penal colony. Criminals from all parts of the French Empire were “internally deported” to French Guiana to serve their out time in this harsh environment. The two most notorious prisons are located in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and another in îles du Salut – commonly known as Devil’s Island.

In fact, since its creation in 1852, the prison on Devil’s Island was considered to be the most feared penal colony in the world. Even back in the early 20th century, it raised a lot of human rights controversies due to the harsh treatment many prisoners received, including being locked in a cell with no roof (just bars), left to the mercy of the harsh tropical environment and the scorching sun. The island stopped serving as a prison in 1953 and is now one of the best tourist spots in French Guiana.

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Slovenian Coast Day Trip to Izola

Slovenia’s coastline, one of the smallest in the world, can easily be explored in a day trip to the fishing town of Izola and the country’s main port, Koper.

We made the short drive from our vacation rental in Piran and parked on the outskirts of Izola. Walking through the marina, we reached the old town. It has the feel of an island, with waterside cafes, parks and swimming areas. There’s lots of Venetian flavor in the churches and small palaces, but even a nod to the more recent Yugoslav times.

This area was part of a free territory that was divided after World War II, with Trieste going to Italy, and the smaller port city of Koper and town of Izola belonging to the former Yugoslavia. Most of the 15,000 residents today are Slovenians, but Italian is also an official language. There used to be a small coastal railroad, so if trains are your thing you’ll want to visit the museum devoted to it. The winding lanes contain a number of local artisan studios and shops.

Izola is often overlooked by tourists, but if Piran and Potoroz are booked, you might find a nice (and slightly cheaper) rental here. The town’s coat of arms has a white dove, symbolizing the bird that saved the town from Genovese invaders in the 1300s. The townspeople gathered to pray, and the town was covered with a miraculous white cloud while a dove led the invaders back out into the open sea.

Back in the car, we made the short drive to Koper and parked in a shopping area not far from the old city. The winding streets of the old port town mostly lead to Tito Square, where you can admire the Venetian-Gothic Praetorian Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption.

We also happened upon the Fontana de Ponte in another charming square near the Muda Gate, dividing the older and newer parts of town. We met friends for coffee by the sea before heading back out of town through a shopping area of big-box stores — a good place to stock up on grocery staples, which we supplemented with our daily fresh finds in the local street markets.

We stocked up on table wine at Vina Koper. You’ll see this brand in grocery stores throughout Slovenia, but we were pleasantly surprised to discover some of their higher end bottles in the tasting room. I tend to prefer Slovenian whites, but after a few tastes of Refošk I developed a new appreciation for the reds. I especially liked the hearty Rex Fuscus, which is a red wine that tastes great when slightly chilled.

The Hapsburg royalty apparently liked the wines from this region so much that they built the coastal railroad mentioned above to import it. And there are certainly a lot of artisan vineyards in the area worth exploring. But if it’s hearty table wine you’re after, just pull up to the wine pumps at Vina Koper and fill ‘er up! We were back “home” in Piran with a full carload of wine and groceries in time for dinner.

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Easter Island

Do you dream of traveling to Easter Island? Are you in search of that humbling feeling that overcomes you as you stand and marvel at the giant Moai statues, towering above us mere mortals? When I went there in April of this year, that’s most certainly what I was after.

It really is as incredible as I always thought it would be to see the Moai in person. Though nobody knows the story entirely, since almost no original descendants of the Rapa Nui people are left, the story of the Moai is one of incredible human ingenuity and suffering and it’s a profound experience to walk among them and wonder about their stories.

Ready for a walk into the past? Here are the secrets for traveling to Easter Island cheaply and easily:

First, a little history

On Easter Island, locally called Rapa Nui, the Moai statues represent a mostly-lost civilization that suffered from some sort of climate change or vermin, causing them to run out of resources. In an effort to appease their ancestors in hopes of returning to prosperity, they carved giant Moai out of volcanic rock and somehow carried them to the edges of the island, all without the benefit of knowing how to work metal. We still don’t know how they did it. The largest one around today is an astounding 33 feet tall weighing over 82 tons!

In time as the situation grew more desperate, the people lost faith in these statues and battles ensued, including toppling over the Moai of rival groups. Most have been raised and put back in place but some are still laying facedown in the grass.

You can still see the quarry where several statues are partially finished on the island. It almost looks like the Moai decided to have a party and some drunkenly stumbled down the mountain on their way to the sea.

These days, the relics remain on an island where almost all of the original inhabitants have gone extinct, including the trees, animals, and original ethnic groups. It’s creepy and beautiful at the same time.

How to plan independently and save money

Tours to Easter Island aren’t necessary, and will cost you way more in the long run. It’s almost impossible to get lost, and even if you did, the island is only 164 square kilometers so you can’t go too far astray!

Here’s how to do it on your own:

Flights: There’s only one plane from one airline that goes to and flies back from Rapa Nui daily and it’s operated by LAN departing out of Santiago, Chile. I suggest playing around with different dates on Google Flights then booking directly with LAN once you find a good deal. I booked my flight just two weeks before getting on the plane for $600, flying economy one way and business class back! Typically, a round-trip flight will cost $450 on the very low end and closer to $700 on the high end.

Food: Your biggest cost-saver will be bringing your own food to Easter Island. Almost all of the food on the island will be brought over on the very plane you fly over on, so why pay a premium when you can just bring your food yourself for way less?

LAN allows you to check up to 25 kilos per person for free when flying to Easter Island, so get an extra bag or box and fill it up with veggies, dry goods, powdered milk, oatmeal, potatoes, wine, and anything else to help you get through the week. By planning out my recipes ahead of time and shopping in Santiago I was able to eat for an average of $4.50 per meal, plus wine.

When I did need to supplement my meals, I bought fish from the local fishermen for around $8 per person or bought empanadas at the small shops around town.

*Note: You can only do this if you bring the food from within Chile. There are super strict laws in Chile around fruits and vegetables and anything you bring from home will not be allowed in, so be sure to do your shopping in Santiago.

Accommodation: You can also save a bunch of money by staying in a cabana owned by a local on the island. They’re easy to find on booking.com (here’s the one I suggest) and Airbnb(plus, here’s $35 off for you!), can often accommodate six or seven people for around $50+ per night, and most importantly, they come with a kitchen so that you can cook all that food you brought along with you.

It’s also common practice for the cabana owners to come and pick you up from the airport, which is always nice after a long flight.

If you’re traveling solo, there are also hostels and individual rooms on Airbnb, and camping is also an option. Just keep in mind that the cheap stuff books out much farther in advance.

Getting around: You really don’t need to take a tour to explore Easter Island. There are plenty of car, scooter, and quad rental places in Hanga Roa (the main town) that you can make use of to take yourself around to the various statues and the beach, on your own time, and in many cases, without other tourists around. Unlike those on bus tours, you’ll be able to spend as long as you want at the various sites.

By normal standards, the rentals are pretty expensive at $40 per day for a motorbike and upwards for quad bikes and cars. That said, you can usually haggle on the car rentals and if you really maximize your time with the motorbike, you can see most of the things that are far away from town in a couple of days and rely on a cheaper push bike rental for the rest of your time there.

National Park Tickets: The fees for the national park are steep for foreigners at the equivalent of $60 USD, imposed by CONAF, Chile’s national park services (though there has been some conflict over whether they should have the right to do so, that’s the policy for now).

You will only be checked by rangers at two of the sites: the Orongo crater at the Bird Man museum, which I could have lived without, and at the quarry. The quarry is probably the coolest site on the whole island, so as painful as it is, I’d suggest that you cough it up and buy the ticket. You can buy it when you land or at the CONAF office.

Here’s how to avoid the crowds

There are specific times when tours stop at each of the archaeological sites in order to get them with their best lighting. It’s still a good idea to visit them at those times as well, but also to stop by again during the off times and to stick around after the busses leave. They’re usually there for 10 minutes, max.

Ahu Akivi

These seven identical statues face sunset during the spring equinox, and their most popular visitation time is during golden hour. when the light shines on them. get there slightly before or stay after, and the busses will mostly be gone.

This is the biggest collection of Moai and also features the largest statue on the island. All were toppled over in the past but have been re-erected. During the summer solstice they face the sunset, but the most popular time to see them is for the sunrise since the sun rises between them. If you visit at any other time, almost nobody will be around.

Rano Raraku

It’s popular to visit Rano Raraku, the quarry I keep referencing, right after visiting the Ahu Tongariki in the morning. It’s when they are in their best light. That said, I visited them in the afternoon and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. This is one of two places where you’ll have to show a receipt for your national park fees, and you’re only allowed in once.

Ranu Kau volcano and Orongo

This volcano crater is one of the most famous on the island and you can drive your motorbike right up to it. The best time to visit is when it’s sunny so that you can see the blue sky reflected in the pools of water at the base. It’s also possible to hike up to it from the CONAF station.

There’s also the ruins of Orongo and the story of the bird man inside the museum, which also requires that you should your receipt for the national park fees. It’s an interesting story worth reading about.

Ahu Tahai

Located just next to Hanga Roa, these are the easiest to visit as you can just head over on foot if you’re staying in town. Though beautiful all day, they draw a crowd at sunset.

There are plenty of other statues all along the perimeter of the island. some you can drive to and some you can only get to on foot. The above are the most famous, but you can visit the others, often without anyone around, as you drive along the island and pull off periodically to explore.

What else can you do on Easter Island?

What if you have a few days on Easter Island? I actually had a full eight days there, mostly because the flights got really expensive for any shorter length of time. I did a lot of relaxing, but otherwise, enjoyed the beach and diving as well:

Surf

Those who remember the documentary, 180° South, will recall that surfing is a big sport on Easter Island.

If you want to give it a try, keep in mind that the coastline is mostly volcanic rock, and the waves break very close to them, so this isn’t ideal for beginners. You’ll also want to bring your own board as rentals are usually just the huge foam boards.

Beach

Easter Island’s beach is really nice, with white sand and gentle waves. It’s on the opposite side of the island from Hanga Roa, where most visitors stay, so you’ll need transport to get there somehow.

If you’re on the island for a while, though, this is a great way to spend a whole day.

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Reasons to visit Albania ASAP

For too long, Albania has been ignored as a tourist destination. I get it. The country has had to bounce back from a lot. For years, Albania was under one of the most repressive communist totalitarian regimes in history – even North Korea has more trade partners and diplomacy than Albania did thirty years ago. I’m about to drop some serious Albania facts on you, so if you’re into history, get excited.

It emerged from the shackles of totalitarianism in 1991 with basically no GDP and virtually no economy. A countrywide pyramid scheme in which Albanians lost a total of 1.2 billion dollars (a fortune, considering how Albanians had only had six years of free market in order to actually obtain money to invest) in 1997 sent the country into chaos.

But things are way, way different now, and while the country still has far to come to catch up with its neighbors in Europe, it’s making great strides towards lasting progress. Albania is a country with an unfathomably long history, almost 5,000 years, with influence from Greeks, Illyrians, Romans, Venetians, Byzantines, and Ottomans.

To sum up Albania as just what’s happened in the last century is myopic. Yes, Albania has suffered, but it’s bouncing back with incredible fortitude and rightfully emerging as a tourist destination.

Seeing as I’ve unofficially become an Albania travel guide, telling everyone who’ll listen about this beautiful place, I figured I’d put it in writing and save myself the trouble. Without further ado, here are 75 reasons why you should plan your holidays to Albania as soon as possible!

1. It’s off the beaten path. Can you imagine going to 2,000 year old Roman ruins and not having to wait for people to get out of your shot constantly? Well, visit Albania, and it’s not only possible – it’ll happen all the time.

2. It’s not just affordable – it’s cheap. Budget backpacking anywhere in Balkans, with the exception of Croatia, is inexpensive compared to Western Europe. But Albania is leaps and bounds cheaper than its neighbors, especially when it comes to transit and food costs. A six hour bus ride will set you back only $7 USD; a gyro, $1 USD; a 3-course meal with an espresso, $8 USD.

3. The beaches are the best in Europe. Sorry, Croatia, Italy, Greece, and Montenegro, I know you’ll disagree, but Albania has got the best beaches in all of Europe. The stony beaches make the water a gorgeous, crystal-clear turquoise that feels like your real life has been Photoshopped. Ksamil, Albania as well as the beaches of Himara and Dhermi are outstanding. The weather in Albania is comparable to the rest of Europe, so you’ll have hot sunny days all summer long.

4. … And they’re not crowded.

Unlike their more famous Northern and Southern neighbors, you’ll have plenty of space to yourself when you go to the beach in Albania.

There are also tons of hidden beaches that you can have basically to yourself with a little creativity (or a little guts!). Himara is an excellent hub close to the best Albanian beaches in the Riviera. Plus, accommodations in the Albanian Riviera are incredibly cheap!

5. Albanian people are insanely generous. I’ve never been offered more things in my life – whether it was cake on the side of a road from someone I asked directions, half of someone’s lunch who we hitchhiked with, an espresso at a cafe, or rakia (so much rakia), then when traveling in Albania.

6. The sunsets along the coast are incredible. The whole time you travel Albania, you’ll be treated to breathtaking sunsets, just as beautiful as Greece’s or Croatia’s — at a fraction of the price.

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