Travelers' Intercom
Novel Approach: Mongolia
For people who would like to learn more about Mongolia, I recommend the book “The Blue Sky: A Novel” by Galsan Tschinag (2006, Milkweed Editions. ISBN 9781571310552 — 192 pp., $22). It is the story of a nomadic shepherd boy coming of age during the l950s in the Tuva Valley in upper Mongolia.
‘Petra By Night’
I visited the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, Jordan, in October ’07. A daytime visit is a long and hot walk but definitely worth the effort. For me, however, the highlight was the lesser-known night trip to the Siq and Treasury.
Planning a Cyprus trip
A friend and I took a 10-day “Discovery of Cyprus” trip with Homeric Tours (55 E. 59th St., 17th Fl., New York, NY 10022; 800/223-5570, www.homerictours.com) in October ’07.
Keeping in Touch
Libraries for Internet I, like Nancy Tan (Dec. ’07, pg. 54), have had problems finding Internet cafes in the UK.
Is your prescription the right one?
As usual, two weeks before embarking on my upcoming trip, I collected and counted all my medications, throwing in a few extra pills of each kind, just to be safe.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda plus Tanzania
Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda was an adventure, an adrenaline rush and the thrill of my life.
Wished private meeting space
On two sailings of Oceania Cruises’ Nautica — to Thailand, Viet Nam and China, Jan. 19-March 5, 2007, and to Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan, March 16-31 — I have run into the same problem.
Lighting the way
Great idea to carry lightbulbs for sufficient reading light (Dec. ’07, pg. 88)! We have been doing that for years.
Hurdles in Russia
My wife, Barbara, and I enjoyed a trip to Russia, Estonia and Finland, Sept. 3-28, 2007, and have some advice for travelers to Russia.
Best airline to/from the U.S.
Of all the airlines you’ve flown between the U.S. and a foreign country in the last three years, which airline’s flight(s) did you most appreciate? That’s what we asked readers to write about, using the following parameters.
A single’s travel options
First off, I do not use a travel agent; I’ve had bad luck with them. They have trouble understanding I don’t want the local Hilton but something a bit lower on the food chain.
Giant’s Causeway
In County Antrim, Northern Ireland, we visited the Giant’s Causeway. Ancient volcanic activity created this ruggedly dramatic coastline, which has been sculpted by wind and water. Huge columnar structures of black basalt appear to be stepping stones fit for a giant.
Re guidebooks’ accuracy
Keep in mind that prices quoted in travel guidebooks can quickly become outdated.
Special places in Honduras and Guatemala
We were successful public television bidders on a 3-night stay in Honduras. And since we were going that far, we thought, ‘Why not add some time in Guatemala?’ We took our trip Aug. 14-25, 2007.
‘Excellent’ guide in China
If you are traveling to China on your own and planning to spend a few days in Beijing and/or Chengde, you may like to consider employing the services of Mr. Sun Qingjun, or Harry (harrysun@ heinfo.net), an excellent bilingual guide from Chengde now residing in Beijing.