05
Please allow me to express a dissenting opinion to that of the reader who suggests that one can lighten the load while traveling by packing clothing that one no longer wants and disposing of it en route (March ’07, pg. 84). While this is not the first time I have heard this suggestion, it always has bothered me. I am concerned about 1) the negative impact it has on the globe and 2) the negative opinion it creates (or reinforces!) about Americans.
In the article on East Africa in the March ’07 issue, on page 45 the author gave a description of the wines he tried in Zimbabwe: “. . . some of which was drinkable and some of which was truly horrible (e.g. something called ‘pinotage’).”
Actually, pinotage is a fine varietal popular at the best wineries in South Africa. It has now been transplanted to other wine-producing parts of the world and is becoming more popular. I sampled an excellent pinotage from a Northern California winery just this February.
I’d like to mention some things that happened during a 17-day Egypt tour I took in Cairo, Sinai and along the Nile in December ’06-January ’07.
I wish to recommend an excellent French- and English-speaking guide in Cameroon: Titang George Ndong (National Tour Guide, P.O. Box 19 Saa., Centre Province, Republic of Cameroon; e-mail titanggeorge@yahoo.fr).
I met George through my land operator, Cameroon Tours & Travel, as he was assigned as my research guide in 2001. I have taken several trips with him, the last in February ’04, again arranged through the land operator.
The owner/operator of a taxi in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pablo Menendez (phone 15 5613 4386 or e-mail pablo336menendez @hotmail.com), was superb in transporting my husband, Dave, and me from the international airport to the domestic airport and, on our return, to our hotel in March ’06.
We were so impressed, we engaged him further for a day tour of the city and surrounds. We saw, complete with his political, historical and personal perspective, not only the ritzy part of Buenos Aires but the area where the workers live.
I took a 2-week vacation to Myanmar, Nov. 27-Dec. 9, 2006, and had a wonderful time. Mr. Aung Kyaw Lynn of Majestic Mandalay Tourism Services Company (65 Ayeyarwady Street, Ahlone Township, Yangon, Myanmar; phone 95 1 212882 or e-mail akl-kkn@mptmail.net.mm) arranged everything except reservations for international flights, which I made separately, New York-Bangkok-Yangon and back.
We have traveled Norway from top (Kirkenes) to bottom and from east to west but not since 1983. However, some things don’t change. All over mountainous central Norway are hiking trails with magnificent views of lakes and glaciers, and the timberline is low at 1,000 feet.
There is no need to carry a tent and sleeping bag or much food because of the ubiquitous accommodations, from self-service “huts” to fancy hotels.
The island of Hokkaido, Japan, conjures up images of wild land and misty mountains where wild bears once roamed. However, on the Muroran, Hokkaido, port stop of our September-October ’05 cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess, what we first saw were tunnels. We went through at least five long, dark tunnels before we even got a glimpse of the country road.
My wife, Paula, and I visited Japan for the first time in October ’06. Wanting to travel independently (as usual) but being a bit intimidated by the language barrier, we compromised by using a series of four all-day guided tours to cover much of our sightseeing.
My wife, Emily, and I received the e-mail in early August ’06. It read, “Join Scope Travel in Ukraine for Lviv Carnival Celebrating Lviv’s 750 Anniversary Sept. 28-Oct. 6, 2006 — $1,499 + tax.” It promised gala concerts, jazz festivals, parades, choral shows, children’s concerts, youth ensembles, folklore dance competitions, bazaars, kiosks, fireworks and more.