Travelers' Intercom
Switched companies after lapse in contact
In September ’05, my traveling companion, Lynn Drake, and I, contacted PNG Holidays and arranged to take an 11-day “Goroka Festival” tour in Papua New Guinea a year later, Sept. 11-21, 2006. Including three internal flights in PNG, the cost was to have been $3,100 for each of us.
Peruvian fare
On a trip to Lima, Peru, in May ’06, we took a day trip to Chosica, a weekend retreat 25 miles east of Lima. Our friends had recommended Fuego Restaurante (Jr. Trujillo sur 406, Chosica; phone 360-2425), and our meal there was the best that we had in all of Peru.
‘Excellent resources’ in Ireland
A trip to Ireland my husband, Maurice, and I took, Aug. 21-Sept. 2, 2006, was greatly enhanced by two excellent resources.
Northernmost New Zealand
My wife, Carole, and I took a 2-week trip to New Zealand in March ’06. We spent most of our time north of Auckland, especially in the Doubtless Bay area. This area received its name from Captain Cook, who when he passed by wrote in his ship’s log, “Doubtless there is a bay.”
Budapest’s House of Terror
In Budapest, Hungary, the Terror Háza, or House of Terror Museum (Andrássy út 60, Budapest 1062, Hungary; phone + 36 [1] 374 2600 or visit www.terrorhaza.hu), deals with the years of fascist and communist oppression, from WWII to the fall of communism in 1989.
Birding at Daintree
Chris, an expert bird guide and owner of Chris Dahlberg’s Specialised River Tours (Daintree Village, Queensland 4873, Australia; phone 07 4098 7997 or visit www.daintreeriver tours.com.au), was one of the reasons we chose to visit Daintree on our trip to Australia.
Solution for crying babies
Regarding the “screaming infant on a flight” (Nov. ’06, pg. 30), the problem should have been referred to a pediatric physician, not an airline customer relations executive or legal officer.
Pick-me-up in Kobarid
If you’re visiting Kobarid, Slovenia’s, award-winning Kobarid Museum, you’ll do well to have a meal at Restavricija Kotlar (Kobarid, Slovenia; phone 386 [0] 5 38 91 110) before leaving town. It’s located on a square only a 2-minute walk from the museum.
Barrage of images on Japan cruise
Subscriber G.L. (Hal) Merow mailed to ITN a copy of the following letter, which he sent to Cruise West, regarding a 13-night/14-day “Japan Unveiled” cruise taken aboard the “Spirit of Oceanus,” March 18-31, 2006.
Driving and Buying Gas Overseas
We asked the independent self-drive travelers among you to share any tips on buying gas overseas (outside of North America and the Caribbean), including choosing which establishments to patronize, which gas to buy, etc., plus any warnings relating to the mechanical, economical or logistical aspects of automobiles, fuel
Yacht in the Cyclades
On a trip to Greece in September ’05, my wife, Margaret, and I took a 7-day cruise of the Cyclades Islands aboard the comfortable but not luxurious motor yacht m/s H&B, through Viking Yacht Cruises (4231 Lakemoor Dr., Wilmington, NC 28405; 800/341-3030, www.vikings.gr).
Normandy Safaris
For our trip to Normandy, France, in May-June ’04, we wanted to have one base for our 5-night/6-day stay plus a guide who would provide transportation and be familiar with the area.
Montevideo, Uruguay
During our stay in Argentina, March 30-April 13, ’06 (Sept. ’06, pg. 84), my husband, Joe, and I took a few days to travel to Uruguay. We wanted to see both Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo and decided to spend three nights in Montevideo.
Northern Ireland back roads
On a September drive from the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to Belfast, we opted to take the more scenic coastal route. Although distances were not great, taking the smaller side roads meant adding additional time to our journey.
Attn: bird lovers
Lake Nakuru, Kenya, is a bird lover’s paradise. It is very shallow and can fluctuate up to 12 feet each day. When the water is low, you can see a white band of crystallized soda along the shoreline.
Bardo mosaics
I enjoyed the article in the September ’06 “Mideast and Mediterranean” column regarding the Bardo museum in Tunis. I’ve been there and it just keeps getting better.
Travelers’ checks in euros
In the past we’ve taken fairly large quantities of American Express Travellers Cheques with us overseas for reasons of money safety. At least we got them at no cost from AAA! On a trip to Italy in September-October ’06 we learned a painful lesson regarding euro-denominated American Express Travellers Cheques.
Elderhostel cruise fit the bill
I took the “Pearls of the Baltic Sea” trip with Elderhostel