Travelers' Intercom
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
My wife and I discovered a new beach paradise during our trip to Vietnam in January and February 2014. The temperature was 87°F every day, with a low of 70°F at night. Long Beach is a great beach, and during our visit it had hardly any waves.
Briggs & Riley repairs luggage
I don’t know of any airlines that reimburse passengers for damage to luggage tags or zippers (March ’14, pg.
Returning to France after just a few years
Here are some reflections on a return visit to France, Oct. 26-Nov. 7, 2013, after four years away.
Reminders of Arezzo
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article “Impressed with the Quaint Italian Town of Arezzo” (July ’14, pg. 16), Margo Wilson’s recollection of her visit to Arezzo with her husband.
Just wanted to get home
Our family of five took a customized private tour of Southern Africa and Seychelles, Dec. 19, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014, that had been arranged by a US-based tour company.
Prosthesis info card
A reader mentioned that when he travels, he now carries a note from his doctor explaining that he has an artificial knee (May ’14, pg. 43).
Ladies’ cabs in Dubai
Legitimate taxis in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, are controlled and metered by the government. Within the taxicab fleet, there are “pink cabs,” or “ladies’ cabs,” easily identified by their pink roofs.
Volunteering in Cuba
Reading the Feature Article “Cuba – A Long Weekend in Old Havana” (June ’14, pg. 6), I felt the need to compare the author’s experience with our February 2004 visit to Cuba.
Collapsible hiking poles
On my trips, I often go hiking. Since I cannot carry hiking poles onto planes in my carry-on pack, I’ve always had to check at least one piece of luggage. At the sporting-equipment store REI, I found Black Diamond-brand poles, which have three telescoping sections.*
Dublin airport to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is experiencing increased tourism, with fans of “Game of Thrones” arriving to visit locations where much of this popular TV series is filmed.
Dining in Hong Kong
My wife, Sandy, and I arrived in Hong Kong, China, a stop on our ’round-the-world trip, in July 2013. Looking for excitement, we took the funicular to the top of Victoria Peak.
Luang Prabang lament
I read with interest Fred Steinberg’s piece “Stepping Back in Time on a 4-day Tour of Luang Prabang, Laos” (June ’14, pg. 44). I have visited Luang Prabang three times, in 2002, 2004 and, most recently, 2011.
Copa flight oversold
My husband and I took four flights on Copa Airlines (Panama City, Panama; 800/359-2672) in February and March 2014.
Scanning devices relied upon
The writer of the letter “Now Carries a Doctor’s Note” (May ’14, pg. 43) wanted to know if other travelers with artificial limbs or metal in their bodies carried doctors’ notes verifying the implants.
Traveling & Giving: Reader’s Digest popular
When traveling, I always take Reader’s Digests with me to give to schools and to students who are learning English. From 1992 through 2005, I traveled to Nepal once a year and started carrying the magazines.
Praise for LCA Toptour in Alsace
Just wanted to follow up on the letter “Alsatian Wine Route with LCA Toptour” (June ’14, pg. 12) in which Stephen O.
Pickpockets in Paris
While I enjoyed Rick Steves’ article on street crime, “Avoiding Scams and Pickpockets” (May ’14, pg. 59), I think he left out an important point.
A look at literary Dublin
Dublin is a city with a fascinating history dating back to the Vikings, yet modern Dublin is a city of culture and literary greats.
Kudos to Novotel in Yogyakarta
I want to tell you about the wonderful dinner my wife, Jeanne, and I had in Indonesia on New Year’s Eve 2013.