Travelers' Intercom
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.
Australian visas online
I had seen a couple of mentions (Dec. ’01, pg. 33 & Feb. ’02, pg. 111) about getting Australian visas electronically for a fee of $15 (visit www.eta.immi.gov.au). I don’t mind paying the fee, but the website did not seem to me to be secure, as I did not see any padlock.
Grim impression of Ethiopia
I returned from a 3-week tour of Ethiopia on Feb. 7, ’05. Imagine my surprise the next morning to find that a featured article (Feb. ’05, pg. 52) in my new ITN was about the Omo Valley, where I had just spent a week.
Handicapped put off ship
My wife and I were passengers on a River Explorer cruise, beginning in Bucharest on Sept. 1, ’04, and scheduled to end in Amsterdam on Sept. 25, with Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Halfway through the trip, when the ship arrived in Vienna late on Sept. 13, we were told to leave the ship early the next day.
Palate pleasers in Athens
My wife and I dined at the following restaurants in Athens, Greece, in February ’05.
Pay it or lug it
In April ’05 I returned from Gatwick Airport, London, to Newark International as I have for several years, twice a year. Please be informed that travelers arriving at Newark now must pay $3 for the use of a luggage cart. Needless to say, I saw no one taking advantage of the “bargain.” JEANETTE HARDIE
Riding horses in Bali
I spent three weeks in Bali with my husband in March ’05, and one of my outstanding memories was riding horseback along the coast north of Sanur.
Cyprus: waiting for discovery
My wife and I, seeking an unusual destination, decided to go to Cyprus, March 11-18, ’05. Cyprus is an island of great beauty that combines Roman ruins, the sea and mountains.