Travelers' Intercom
Lions in Shanghai
On a visit to Shanghai a few years ago, one evening I decided to walk back to my hotel, the Bund (which, actually, is a 10-minute walk from the Bund). The weather was unusually warm for December.
Day in Iquitos and Belén
On their way to the Peruvian Amazon, most people fly into and out of Iquitos and never see more of the city than the drive from the airport to the boat dock and back. My husband, Jerry, and I decided to spend one day (two nights) in Iquitos, Feb.
Leave walkie-talkies at home
Regarding using walkie-talkies while traveling (May ’09, pg. 20), please be advised that it is often illegal in Europe to use walkie-talkies with US frequencies without a license.
An ‘aging traveler’s’ take on travel
My wife, Nancy, and I were the oldest patrons in the restaurant. Younger senior citizens addressed me as “sir.” That’s when I suddenly realized, in my 75th year, that I have become an aging traveler.
Azores’ botanical side
I was delighted to read of Randy Keck’s enjoyment of the Azores (April ’09, pg. 72 & May ’09, pg. 75). My husband, John, and I, traveled there March 31-April 6.
Inform the ship’s Hotel Manager
I worked for Orient Lines Cruise Tours as a sales rep in the Southeast for two years, 2000-2002. Previously, I was a CLIA MCC (Master Certified Cruise Counselor for Cruise Line International Association). I have been on more than 35 ships, so I know the cruise business very well.
Narrowboat on Canal du Midi
Cruising the canals of Europe in a narrowboat and seeing a part of the continent that not too many people see was a dream of mine. I liked the idea of operating a boat by ourselves rather than being on a floating hotel, and going at the high speed of two to three miles per hour would be easy.
Tips on visiting Lisbon
I would like to share the following information gathered during a trip to Portugal with my husband, Kip, Nov. 5-14, 2008.
Felt welcome in Scotland
Three friends and I took a thoroughly enjoyable brief trip to Scotland, Jan. 14-19, 2009. Our purpose was twofold: visit St. Andrews University in St. Andrews and spend two days in Edinburgh (where a delightful taxi driver referred to two of us as “Edinburgh virgins”).
Cell phone pluses
In his April ’09 column, Rick Steves referred to “the stringent US rules on limiting liquids on flights.” I would point out that he neglected to specify that those rules apply to carry-on bags, not checked.
Complications charging rental on two cards
ITN printed a reader’s letter titled “Sky-high Charge for Scratch” back in the May ’08 issue, page 30. It prompted another reader to send in the following account of a similar experience with the same auto rental office the year before, one with a twist.
Boutique Museums: Roman ships
A really good small museum is the Museum of Ancient Shipbuilding (Neutostr. 2b, 55116 Mainz, Germany; phone ++4961 31 28 66 30, www.mainz.de — click on “culture,” then “museum”) in Mainz.
Chilean Special Journeys
My wife and I spent 3½ weeks in Chile in January ’08. We had been there before and, in addition to wanting to explore new places, we had friends to visit, so we decided to design our own plan, but we needed help with reservations and logistics.
Nitty-gritty on walkie-talkies
A reader recommended taking along “lightweight walkie-talkies” for communcation while traveling abroad (May ’09, pg. 20). This might be a good idea, but please do your research before using them outside of the United States.
Czech Rep. and Poland
My husband, Joseph, and I traveled to Berlin, Prague, Kraków and Warsaw, March 30-April 21, 2009.
Civil welcome in Costa Rica
We took a 2-week trip to Costa Rica in February-March ’09 with Overseas Adventure Travel. The airport security staff in San José were polite, efficient and thorough, in direct contrast to the way we were treated as we left Miami airport.
Ghana goodie
Marlene Smith’s great article on Ghana (May ’09, pg. 6) included “A Guide to the Cuisine,” and that brought to mind a favorite recipe shared with us by missionary friends who served in Ghana for 13 years. It’s quick and easy to prepare.