Travelers' Intercom
Travelers’ accessories
On a recent trip to India, I used to advantage the Simran SM-60 power strip and a 4-pack of Orei 2-in-1 USA-to-India adapter plugs (Type D), priced at $11.44 on Amazon.com. The Simran strip is indispensable and allows for the use of multiple devices, one of which, for me, is a CPAP machine.
Private tours of Réunion & Namibia
During our trip to Southern Africa in September 2017, my wife, Carlanne, and I were able to visit Indian Ocean and African locations we had missed on previous journeys.
Fan of Kerala backwaters
I am definitely a fan of the Kerala waterways in southern India (Dec. ’17, pg. 36). I spent two days and three nights there on a converted rice boat in January 2017 and would have loved to stay longer.
Rewards of a stopover in Qatar
One image of Doha, Qatar, that sticks in my mind from my short visit in January 2018 is the huge sculpture of an oyster with its pearl — a popular photo spot.
Solo trip to the Netherlands
Months after booking a week’s lodging for the last week of May 2017 in New York City, I decided to approach the Big Apple by way of visits to Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bruges (Belgium) a
Lost luggage with Icelandair
I have flown Icelandair (800/223-5500, www.icelandair.us) several times over the years. In general, Iceland is a safe destination (not to mention close).
Namibia with Cardboard Box
My husband, Gerald Liedl, and I took a 6-day safari in Namibia, “Dunes & Wildlife,” in March 2017. We booked it online through The Cardboard Box Travel Shop (15 Bismarck St., Windhoek, Namibia; phone +264 61 256580, www.namibian.org).
Assessing SE Europe tours
My significant other, Abram Engelman, and I traveled to Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, May 22-June 15, 2017, on a trip arranged by Original World. The itinerary was good, our guides were excellent, and most of the accommodations were very good as well.
Quelling jet lag
Here are some ideas I’ve used for avoiding jet lag. • Beware of long eastbound flights, especially overnight flights. They are the worst. • If you can afford it, fly business class to be better rested.
Five ’Stans with JMG
During the 4-week “5 Stans Tour” that my husband, Bob, and I took with Jeff Garrett of JMG Tibet Tours (Lauderhill, FL; 866/548-4238, www.jmgtibettours.com), April 10-May 7, 2017, we visited a part of the world I knew almost nothing about.
Strolling in Stockholm
Following a May 2017 visit to Russia (Jan. ’18, pg. 6), we flew airBaltic (www.airbaltic.com) from St. Petersburg to Stockholm, Sweden.
From Reykjavik on Icelandair
Icelandair (www.icelandair.us) recently canceled its summer morning flights from Reykjavik, Iceland, to New York City and bumped people with bookings to the 5 p.m. flight, which arrives at JFK Airport at 7 p.m.
On bin hogs
I read, in the Travel Brief “Delta Bag-check Fee” (Feb. ’18, pg. 4), that on flights to/from Europe and North Africa, Delta Air Lines and partners will soon start charging each Basic Economy passenger a $60 fee for the first checked bag.
London’s village of Hampstead
North London’s village of Hampstead first caught my attention when I learned that the tour “Old Hampstead Village,” offered by London Walks (London, England; phone
Lowest-airfare searches
A subscriber suggested using Matrix.itasoftware.com simply to find out which airline partners fly to particular destinations (“Mileage-award-ticket Secrets,” Dec. ’17, pg. 11).