Travelers' Intercom
Lightkeepers on Kangaroo Island
Out of 66 people with correct answers for the January ’05 “Where in the World?” photo quiz — re The Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island off South Australia — I was fortunate to have my name drawn.
Driving in Italy
For a November ’04 trip in Italy (July ’05, pg. 55), we short-leased (this is different from a rental) a brand-new Peugeot 407 from Auto France (Wood-Ridge, NJ; 800/572-9655 or www.autofrance.net) for a total cost of $1,329 for 18 days, and that cost was comparable to a straight rental.
Flights via São Paulo
In the fall of 2004 we decided to make a spring trip to Brazil. In mid-November, after looking at different options, we called Gate 1 Travel and booked a 10-day trip for March 10, ’05, called “Kaleidoscope of Brazil,” which was sponsored by Varig Brazilian Airlines.
A novel approach to travel
In 1998 I became interested in the Silk Road, so a friend lent me a book, “The Silk Road — A Novel of Eighth Century CHINA” by Jeanne Larsen. It was interesting for the places, the place of women and a bit of magical realism.
Check your passport
We have a trip to Russia planned in a few months and I just found out that to visit Russia a visa is needed and there must be two blank pages in the visa section of one’s passport.
Looked after by Andes Adventures
I would like to tell you about a company that really came through when things went awry. The company is Andes Adventures (1323 12th St., Ste. F, Santa Monica, CA 90401; phone 800/289-9470 or 310/395-5265 or visit www.andesadventures.com).
Eugenie le Bain
One of the delights of the area in which I live, the Laree region of southwest France, is Michel Guérard’s famous restaurant, Eugenie le Bain. My wife and I last ate there at the end of May ’05.
Reserving wheelchairs in airports
I took a Continental Airlines flight from Seattle to Cancun and return, Feb. 27-March 8, ’05.
Give singles a break
I saw the article in the February ’05 issue, page 58. I have always chosen a tour to see different parts of the world, as I am a single traveler (not by choice).
Exchange $$ at legal kiosks
I learned of a currency exchange scam during a visit to the Czech Republic in October ’04.
Landings infrequent at Pitcairn
ITN was mailed a copy of a letter sent to Discovery World Cruises*, as follows.
Highlights of Egypt
Well, we finally did it, and I must say that there is not much of Egypt that we did not see! My husband and I, our son and daughter-in-law and our daughter and grandson started a 14-day independent tour of Egypt on June 24, ’04.
Close shave?
Regarding the letter titled “Don’t Even Think About It” (June ’05, pg. 89) with the picture of the interesting road sign showing a sailboat with a line through it, my guess is that it means “Don’t trailer a sailboat with its mast up on this road,” perhaps because there is a low-hanging power line somewhere ahead.
Comfort of an assured departure
One important additional detail about choosing a tour company (Feb. ’05, pg. 58) is finding out if the departure dates are guaranteed!
Booted in Haarlem
One helpful hint for driving abroad is to avoid parking infractions. In Haarlem, Netherlands, several years ago, we found marked spaces with few automobiles and no instructions that we could see. But when we returned from the Franz Hals Museum, in the rain, there was our car — booted.
Bhutan’s wealth
I write in response to the reader’s letter titled “Poverty in Bhutan” (April ’05, pg. 84).
Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova
In the ’90s, my wife, Alice, and I three times hired a car and drove through the newly opened countries of Eastern Europe, but we had yet to visit the three countries that were former Soviet states: Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. In May ’05 we made up for that omission.
Mastering solo travel
This is in response to Audrey Curtis, who wanted readers to submit articles on traveling alone (May ’05, pg. 122).
Checkpoint security
Placing valuables into the open plastic container at airport x-ray checkpoints certainly is a concern (Nov. ’04, pg. 18 & Feb. ’05, pg. 83). However, there is a solution, if security would only go along with it.