Travelers' Intercom
Air France, SF-Paris
I have been a big fan of United’s nonstop from San Francisco to Paris, but it has been dropped, so this time (Feb. 14 and 26, 2007) we went Air France.
Mobal ‘the best buy’
I was looking for an international cell phone to rent for my summer 2006 trip to Romania and the prices were outrageous. After a lot of research to find the best buy, I discovered Mobal Communications’ GSM world phone (New York, NY; 888/888-9162 or www.mobal.com).
Not-so-safe safe
Siem Reap is the town nearest to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, and on my visit to the famous temple, Jan. 11-14, 2007, I stayed in one of the town’s smaller hotels (about 30 rooms). The room had an in-room electronic safe into which I put some U.S. dollars, my passport and a few travelers’ checks.
Poor pinotage
In the article on East Africa in the March ’07 issue, on page 45 the author gave a description of the wines he tried in Zimbabwe: “. . . some of which was drinkable and some of which was truly horrible (e.g. something called ‘pinotage’).”
Scouting out a flight Georgetown-Paramaribo
My wife and I have traveled to much of the world, but what stumped us was how to go by air from Georgetown, Guyana, to Paramaribo, Suriname. When we plugged the flight into the usual search engines, no answers appeared.
‘Superb’ guide in BA
The owner/operator of a taxi in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pablo Menendez (phone 15 5613 4386 or e-mail pablo336menendez @hotmail.com), was superb in transporting my husband, Dave, and me from the international airport to the domestic airport and, on our return, to our hotel in March ’06.
Japan’s Ainu
The island of Hokkaido, Japan, conjures up images of wild land and misty mountains where wild bears once roamed. However, on the Muroran, Hokkaido, port stop of our September-October ’05 cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess, what we first saw were tunnels.
Beautiful Ljubljana
Stunningly beautiful: that is how we found Ljubljana, Slovenia, on our trip there in May ’05. Every building was eye candy, tinted in lovely pastels, embellished with contrasting adornments.
Needed more info than website had
With quality tour guides, land arrangements and itineraries plus value pricing and intensive mail solicitation, it comes as no surprise that Vantage Deluxe World Travel is enjoying popularity.
Hotel Room Woes: Go up the chain
I’m writing in response to the situation posed in the January ’07 issue, page 115, in which a hotel guest reported a malfunctioning television and mini-bar to the desk and nothing was done. ITN asked what steps should have been taken.
Guide in Cameroon
I wish to recommend an excellent French- and English-speaking guide in Cameroon: Titang George Ndong (National Tour Guide, P.O. Box 19 Saa., Centre Province, Republic of Cameroon; e-mail titanggeorge@yahoo.fr).
Swiss Pass a bargain
On a 2-week Christmas trip to Switzerland, Dec. 23, 2006-Jan. 4, 2007, my wife, Anita, and I had a wonderful, exciting time while using the Swiss Pass (www.sbb.ch) exclusively. We had read in ITN and other sources about this remarkable bargain but previously had always rented a car.
Jungle adventures in Belize
I traveled to Belize in December of 2006 for an exciting 8-night “Jungle Safari Package” booked through Belize Jungle Dome (Mile 47, Western Highway, Banana Bank, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize; phone +501 822-2124, fax +501 822-2155 or visit www.belizejungledome.com).
Party time in western Ukraine
My wife, Emily, and I received the e-mail in early August ’06. It read, “Join Scope Travel in Ukraine for Lviv Carnival Celebrating Lviv’s 750 Anniversary Sept. 28-Oct.
Re leaving clothing behind
Please allow me to express a dissenting opinion to that of the reader who suggests that one can lighten the load while traveling by packing clothing that one no longer wants and disposing of it en route (March ’07, pg. 84). While this is not the first time I have heard this suggestion, it always has bothered me.
‘Secret’ London gallery
One of my favorite London museums is the Guildhall Art Gallery (Gresham St., Guildhall Yard, London, EC2P 2EJ, U.K.; phone 020 7332 3700 or fax 020 7332 3342). This gallery is one of the best-kept secrets in London. I discovered the Guildhall while reading a newspaper article on the tube!
Saint’s best friend
In Salta, Argentina, Iglesia San Francisco, with its prominent campanario (bell tower), is a landmark church. On Aug. 16, 2005, as we approached it, there were people coming from every direction, bringing their meticulously groomed dogs who were adorned with red ribbons.
Overnights on Norway trails
We have traveled Norway from top (Kirkenes) to bottom and from east to west but not since 1983. However, some things don’t change. All over mountainous central Norway are hiking trails with magnificent views of lakes and glaciers, and the timberline is low at 1,000 feet.
100s questioned
I read the reader’s letter “Exchanging Money Abroad” (Jan. ’07, pg. 17) and have an experience to share. I was in Normandy, France, in March ’06 and tried to change a newer (not torn or anything) 100-dollar bill for euros. I went to several places in Caen and nobody would take the bill.
Useful to travelers
For travel, transport and communication, I’ve found learning the following words to be frequently useful. Surprisingly, these terms are not always listed in phrase books. Aisle (seat) Window