Travelers' Intercom
The Galápagos: ‘overrated’
The claim is that on the Galápagos Islands you will see animals that are found nowhere else on Earth: marine iguanas, giant tortoises and thousands of birds, including red-billed tropicbirds, pink flamingos, storm petrels and penguins, not to mention whales, fish by the thousands, etc.
My father’s town
A lifelong dream of mine was to see the town where my father was born: the Volga-German colony of Reinhard in Russia.
West Africa private tour
My husband and I shared many of the same adventures as the writer of the article “Intrepid Travelers Begin Their Overland Journey through West Africa in Mali” (Dec. ’07, pg. 46).
Getting the most from guides
On a trip to Viet Nam and Laos, I was so distressed by overly loquacious and hard-to-understand guides that I am reluctant to take any more guided tours. Listening is tiring, especially for those of us with hearing problems and for everyone who has difficulty understanding speakers with foreign accents.
Madrid museum
While in Madrid on a weekend in April ’07, we opted to skip the Prado on this trip due to long lines and check out the Museo Sorolla (Calle General Martinez Campos, 37, 28010 Madrid, Spain; phone +34 91 310 1584).
Accessing foreign currency
Plan to get local currency upon your arrival at the airport overseas before you have to tip anyone or hire a taxi.
Airline changed flight date
My domestic partner, Karen, in December ’06 found a delightful price for a flight from Miami to Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Feb. 9, 2007, through CheapOAir.com. The cost was $467 each plus a $50 agent fee for two round-trip tickets with Santa Bárbara Airlines (of Venezuela).
On visiting Cartagena
Colombia has a reputation as a potentially dangerous destination, but I felt no uneasiness when walking around the old walled city of Cartagena for five days in January ’08.
Europe repeater
This will be a sort of omnibus opus of several items I have delayed writing about.
Explore Wales
My friend Judy Watson and I visited Wales in November ’07, and I can’t recommend highly enough Daniel Jones and Explore Wales (18 Forrest Rd., Canton, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK; phone +44 7899 012578, www.explorewales now.co.uk).
Bali driver-guide
I know of an excellent driver/tour guide in Bali, Indonesia. His name is Agung Dena (www.balibestdriver.com).
Turin Film Museum
The Museo Nazionale del Cinema (Via Montebello 20, Turin; phone +39 11 8138 560 or 561) was our favorite museum in Turin, Italy. We spent about half a day there.
Croatia with HF Holidays
Those planning to visit Croatia should note that there are several ways to get there.
Creditor arrangement
In the letter titled “Bills Paid Before Travel” (Feb. ’08, pg. 64), R. Casey Hasey outlines his methods for being “carefree for a long trip” by arranging for every bill possible to be paid by credit card.
Swallow’s Next excursion not a ‘visit’
During a very pleasant cruise through Ukraine with smarTours, Sept. 25-Oct. 7, 2007, at Sevastopol I took an optional overland excursion to the famous Swallow’s Nest.
Don’t miss Wieliczka
The Wieliczka Salt Mine just outside of Kraków, Poland, is something not to be missed.
Ludus Tours for Oktoberfest
Germany’s Oktoberfest is one of the biggest parties in the world. Each year more than six million visitors arrive in Munich for the 3-week festival celebrating beer, schnitzel and song.