Travelers' Intercom
Magnolia Garden Homestay, Vietnam
On our initial visit to Vietnam, the first place my friend and I stayed turned out to be exceptional. Beginning Jan. 19, 2016, we spent two weeks at the Magnolia Garden Homestay (75B Nguyen Duy Hieu St., Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam 560000; phone +84 510 3915509, magnolia homestay.com).
Traveling with portable oxygen
Since being diagnosed in early 2013 with a heart condition, one requiring me to use supplemental oxygen, I’ve continued traveling both domestically and internationally. When planning a trip, however, I first consult my doctor to seek his opinion, making sure he sees no problem with my destination.
Iran with Spiekermann
The tour of Iran that I took Oct. 30-Nov. 15, 2015, with Spiekermann Travel Service (Eastpointe, MI; 800/645-3233, http://mideasttrvl.com) was led by Professor Norman Jones, who teaches history and religious studies at Utah State University.
Hurtigruten for Antarctica
In the collection of letters on “Active Years Travel Choices” (Sept. ’16, pg. 41), a subscriber suggested sailing to Antarctica “while you are comfortable jumping on and off the inflatable Zodiacs often used to reach shore.”
Bright memories of a gray day in Nice
There is sorrow in my heart for Nice, France. On July 14, 2016, the actions of one man brought terror and tragedy to this carefree Riviera resort. My grandson visited Nice nine years ago in July, when he was 16 and on a school trip. He remembered the blue water, the seaside restaurants and the topless swimmers.
‘Perfect guide,’ Netherlands
Friends and I were going to be in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in May 2016 and we wanted to hire a guide to take us to the Alkmaar Cheese Market festival (auction) in Alkmaar and then to the Keukenhof garden to see the tulips and other flowers.
Covered by Allianz
On 12 of our trips abroad, my wife, Judy, and I had never filed a travel insurance claim due to illness, but in September 2015 I had to use a foreign doctor on two occasions.
Kabalebo rainforest resort
The Kabalebo Nature Resort (Paramaribo office, phone +597 426 532, http://kabalebo.com), located in the Amazon rainforest and accessible only by air, is where I spent three days and two nights as a member of the tour “Guyana, Suriname & Trinidad” in March 2015.
Repel Mosquito Wipes
While in Suriname and Guyana in August 2016, we used a really effective product, Repel Mosquito Wipes (www.repel.com/products/personal-repellents/other-repellents/wipes.aspx).
VRBO for private rentals
A subscriber asked for info on renting rooms through Airbnb.com (Aug. ’16, pg. 15).
Sources of travel maps
I read with great enthusiasm the subscriber’s letter “Praise for City Maps 2 Go” (April ’16, pg. 16) about the app called City Maps 2 Go, found at www.ulmon.com.
Nakasendo Way with Walk Japan
During our first visit to Japan, in June 2016, my wife, Fyllis, and I marveled at the countless temples, shrines and other historic structures in Kyoto that have embellished the city since it was the country’s capital from the eighth to mid-19th centuries.
Packing Prescriptions – Fully supplied
I take three prescribed drugs, and I travel with all of them that I will need in my carry-on. In case I should lose my carry-on, I also have another full supply elsewhere, usually in my purse.
A month in Greece
My month-long trip to Greece, June 6-July 6, 2015, began with a short visit to Sparta, located in the southeast of the Peloponnese peninsula. The bus ride there from Athens took less than 3½ hours and cost less than $20 (in euros).