Travelers' Intercom
Paris’ ‘greatest hits’
A travel companion (TC) and I visited Paris, Jan. 14-18, ’05. We were lucky with the weather. Temperatures were in the upper 30s or low 40s every day, with no rain except on the last morning of our trip.
Driving on Hokkaido, Japan
In the March ’06 “Person to Person” section, on page 130 Kathleen Nichols asked about planning a one-week trip to Hokkaido, an island at Japan’s extreme north. I would like to give some suggestions.
Another delay
Two weeks before my departure to Málaga, Spain, on Jan. 25, ’06, I reconfirmed my flight on Iberia Airlines and told the representative I would need wheelchair assistance when I arrived at Madrid’s Baraja Airport. I ended up getting all the help I needed, as my connecting flight to Málaga was leaving in just one hour.
Geysers in Siberia
On a tour of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Siberia, Russia, with Betchart Expeditions (Cupertino, CA; phone 800/252-4910 or visit www.betchart expeditions.com), we flew by helicopter to the Uzon Caldera and the Valley of the Geysers.
Report from Kenya
It was a surprise to see the item in the March ’06 issue, page 20, stating that the U.S. government continues to ask U.S. citizens in Kenya to “be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places” and that “there are increasing incidents of. . . violent crime.”
Would not have taken bilingual tour
My wife, Anne, and I took a tour of Sicily, Dec. 2-10, ’05, booked through Pilgrim Tours. The price was $794 per person, excluding airfare.
Multifunctional timepiece
For years, I have used as a travel watch a Casio Databank*. It offers several advantages.
Melatonin for jet lag
In the February ’06 “Ask Steve” column, Mr. Venables wrote about beating jet lag. I must take issue with his comment, “… over-the-counter melatonin or prescription drugs… help with the sleeping going over but don’t do much for your inner clock.”
Learning tango in BA
Tango in its various forms became a focal point of our December ’04 journey to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We have always enjoyed watching tango dancers and listening to tango music. We sought out tango lessons and tango salons, tango in the streets and tango in theater performances.
Keeping up with the group
The issue of accommodating handicapped or disabled persons on tours or cruises was raised in two readers’ letters (March ’06, pg. 35 & July ’05, pg. 27). The issue goes beyond handicapped or disabled persons to anyone who cannot meet the physical requirements of a trip.
Guide in Na Trang
During a cruise in November ’05, the ship stopped in Na Trang, Vietnam. As is our custom, rather than sign up for the ship’s structured land tours, my husband and I usually hire a driver and tell him to take us where the tourists don’t go.
Mobal phone
Seconding the readers’ recommendation in the March ’06 issue, page 14, I too have had great service with www.mobal.com.
Among ancient stones
One rainy November afternoon in Nepi, Italy, as we ducked under the portico of the striking Palazzo Communale with its baroque 18th-century architecture, school let out and the piazza in front of us exploded with activity.
Bills, tango, and shopping
I have some comments on letters in the April ’06 issue.
Romans the victors
In the letter “Ancient Carthage Secret” (April ’06, pg. 39), the assertion that Carthage won the first two Punic Wars is wrong. Rome won all three Punic Wars.
On ATMs
I agree in general with many of the readers’ “Money Matters” comments in the December ’05 and January ’06 (pg. 92) issues.
Felt safe in Yemen
I had wanted to visit Yemen for some time. Barbara Wagner of Lost Frontiers (Fairfax, CA; 888/508-2454 or www.lostfrontiers.com) assured me the trip was safe, and I signed up for a December ’04 tour ($3,650 for 21 days).
Waiting for assistance
ITN was mailed a copy of the following letter, sent by a reader to Traveler’s Emergency Network (TEN) on Dec. 8.