Travelers' Intercom
Srpska, past and present
My wife, Arlene, and I were visiting Belgrade in Serbia & Montenegro for a week in June ’05 and decided to take a day trip to the Republic of Srpska in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Srpska is off the usual tourist itinerary but well worth visiting because of its natural beauty and geographic location in the Balkans.
Cameras in Antarctica
The January ’06 article by Janet Denninger on photography in Antarctica made me recall a trip my wife and I made there several years ago (pre-digital cameras).
Sweet Confections: Bariloche chocolate
With all the people writing about chocolate in the May ’06 issue, I can’t believe no one mentioned Bariloche, a total chocolate town, which I encountered on the lake crossing between Argentina and Chile. One only has to inhale to gain weight, and there are samples to be had in almost every shop.
Thailand jewelry
Jewelry has always been my souvenir of choice on our many trips abroad. In each country, I try to find a unique gold piece that is representative of the culture and craftsmanship.
Great Polish guide
During the program “The Arts of Central Europe” with Elderhostel (Boston, MA; 877/426-8056 or www.elderhostel.org), Oct. 17-24, ’05, my husband, Maurice, and I had the good fortune of having the Polish segment described by Grazyna Rychlik (e-mail gsp@guidingpoland.pl).
Antarctica ‘beyond expectations’
I departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on Dec. 20, ’05, for a 10-day expedition cruise on the MV Polar Star. I had always wanted to experience Antarctica, and in August ’05 I received a 70th birthday gift from my wife and mother-in-law in the form of a check to cover the cost of the trip.
Where’d all this catnip come from?
In the letter titled “Ensuring Credit Card Usage Overseas” (May ’06, pg. 12), the reader suggests advising the card issuers twice before taking a trip so they don’t make your card unusable by implementing a security watch while you are gone.
Much to do in BA
When one goes to Buenos Aires, the culture one most experiences is the culture. Yes, there are fine museums and interesting structures.
To attend the Olympics
My husband, Michael, and I had a wonderful time in Italy for the recent Winter Olympic Games. For those interested in attending the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, I have a few tips.
Kiosk check-in
I write in answer to ITN’s request for information on airport self-service check-in kiosks (Feb. ’06, pg. 4).
Disneyland Hong Kong
During a time of particularly nice weather in November ’05, while on a trip to Hong Kong I decided to visit the newly opened Disneyland Hong Kong.
Lucked into Libya
We took a trip to Libya with Distant Horizons (Long Beach, CA; 800/333-1240), an ITN advertiser. We were quite fortunate to have received visas, which arrived at almost the last minute. Other tours had to be canceled because the Libyans had not issued visas for those groups.
Debit/credit card purchases in UK
When we used our MasterCard for a purchase in Glasgow, Scotland, on April 10, ’06, the new machine refused it because there was no “PIN number.” We insisted that the assistant try again and she refused. The manager came over and inserted our card again. The machine then said to enter the last four digits of the card.
Disappointed with cruise
My partner and I took a one-week cruise from Panama City to Los Sueños, Costa Rica, on Windjammer Barefoot Cruises’ Amazing Grace, July 30-Aug. 6, ’05. The price was $982 per person, double occupancy.
Mali and Burkina Faso with ElderTreks
I’m home again, unbitten and unbowed, after 22 days in West Afr
Mouthwatering in Madrid
The Plaza Mayor area in Madrid, Spain, can be very pricey for meals, especially in the tapas bars on the street Arcos de Cuchilleros; they are mentioned in almost every guidebook.
A dry start
The reader’s letter about drying clothes by twisting them in towels (June ’06, pg. 92) describes what we’ve done for years. Rather than reuse towels damp after showering, though, I have a twist on her scheme.
South Island a speed trap?
Driving oneself is one option for experiencing New Zealand’s scenic diversity. However, I want to describe an encounter my wife and I had with police on the South Island so that future drivers can at least be forewarned.