Travelers' Intercom
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.
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.
Praise for ACCL
I appreciated Lew Toulmin’s article on the American Canadian Caribbean Line (“The Cruising World,” March ’09).
Sweet treat in Mérida
On an independent trip to Venezuela with two friends in December ’08, we visited Mérida.
Extending your air miles’ expiry date
I have been dealing with a few airlines lately in the matters of protecting or using frequent-flyer miles.
Guatemala easily
I have traveled on my own to Mexico and Central America two to three times a year for 19 years, doing all my own planning, but on a December trip to Guatemala I wanted to take it easy and let someone else worry about the arrangements while I focused on my photography.
Comforters out of place
My wife, Verne, and I took a tour to Egypt and Jordan in November ’08, staying in a number of excellent hotels. In each hotel as well as on our Nile riverboat, the beds were fitted with thick comforters. We were not comforted.
Flight arrangements for tours
In response to a subscriber’s request, readers who take tours wrote in saying whether they prefer making their own flight arrangements for tours or having the tour company book the flights.
India arrangements
Julie Skurdenis’ article on Gujarat (March ’09, pg. 62) brought back many pleasant memories of the trip my wife, Audrey, and I took there in 2003, especially of sites like the Modhera Sun Temple and the hike up Mount Shatrunjaya in Palitana.
Promised day trips not provided
On a trip to India, July 5-23, 2008, my daughter and I created our own itinerary, choosing not to travel with a group. However, we did use the services of two India-based travel agencies to help with some of our arrangements.
Chennai airport queues
The first thing our local guide asked my wife, Nancy, and me when we arrived in Chennai, India, was the departure time of our flight to Bangkok two days hence. After a month of travel throughout India without a hitch, we wondered about his question.
Scoping out bargain airfares online
Finding the best airfare can be almost as much of a journey as the trip itself. ITN readers may find the following airfare journey an instructive example.
Tips for a Madrid visit
When my spouse, Isolde, and I visited Spain in May ’08, the AeroCity shuttle (phone +234 91 747 75 70, www.aerocity.com), at €21 (near $28) for two persons, was a convenient way to get from the airport to our accommodations.
Trieste’s castles
Bruce Hardy wrote of his memories of Trieste, Italy (April ’09, pg. 39), which he last visited in 2001, and it was asked if anyone had been to the city recently. We were there in August ’08, and it was everything Mr. Hardy wrote about and much more. Had we only known, we would have stayed more than two days.