Travelers' Intercom
Managing Venezuela airports
For a 10-day trip to Venezuela in December ’08, two friends and I flew into Caracas, where we would return twice during our tour of the country. The Simón Bolívar International Airport is actually in Maiquetía (my-khet-EE-yah), on the Caribbean coast, not in Caracas proper. The domestic terminal is adjacent.
Hiking on Madeira
During a trip to Portugal, Nov. 5-14, 2008 (July ’09, pg. 15), my husband, Kip, and I visited Madeira for some hiking and sightseeing.
Cathedrale d’Images
Two sites in France paying homage to artist Pablo Picasso this year were mentioned in ITN (June ’09, pg. 70). I would like to add a third.
Double-check Delta, Northwest tix during merge
Because I planned to use a companion ticket for my wife, Betty, I had to book our Delta round-trip flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago O’Hare, Oct. 14 and 21, 2009, by phone rather than online.
Peru through ECS Travel
To arrange our trip to Peru, April 28-May 13, 2009, my husband, Graham, and I followed a reader’s recommendation (March ’08, pg. 55) and decided to use the services of Eliu Campos and ECS Travel (Los Pinos St.
Counterduvet movement
I have thought for years we were the only people who hated duvets, then we read the letter from Robert Edwards titled “Comforters Out of Place” (June ’09, pg. 53).
Cruising ‘Italian style’ on Costa Europa
My husband, Larry, and I booked a Costa Europa cruise in the Indian Ocean that was scheduled to go to Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Reunion, Seychelles and Kenya (for Mombasa), Jan. 17-31, 2009. We embarked and disembarked in Mauritius, and the price was $8,878 for the two of us in the Grand Suite.
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.