Travelers' Intercom
West Papua with Okale
I first traveled to West Papua, New Guinea, Indonesia, 19 years ago when it was called Irian Jaya.
Comparing Africa trips offered by OAT
I read Wanda Bahde’s article “Ultimate Africa — Going Beyond the Simple Safari in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe” (Oct. ’10, pg.
Highway hotels, France
My wife, Vera, and I stayed at the Etap Hotel Valence centre (65 Av. du Tricastin, 26000 Valence, France; phone +33 892680673), Oct. 7, 2010.
Switzerland dining
My wife, Judy, and I enjoyed the following restaurants in Switzerland in September ’10.
Cottages in Bali
While on “Oprah” in August, Julia Roberts said that Bali is “Heaven on Earth.” My husband, Carl, and I traveled to Bali in February-March 2010 and would agree with her!
Tivoli’s Villa d’Este
On our way to a week in Umbria in September ’09, my husband, two friends and I debated descriptions of the various villas along the tourist trail and decided on a visit to the Villa d’Este (Piazza Trento, 5) in Tivoli, ground central for villas.
Tokyo’s fish market
Traveling on a professional grant, I joined a group of five other educators for a June-July 2010 trip to Japan, where I experienced the warmth and beauty of Japanese culture in Tokyo, Oita, Hiroshima and Kyoto.
The Unitas in Prague
In Prague, the delightful Unitas Hotel (Bartolomejska 9, 11000 Praha 1, Czech Republic; phone 00420 224 230 533), built in 2008, is more than worth the price: €109 to €139 (near $148-$188) for a double, depending on the season.
Third Eye Travel in SE Asia
My husband, Norman, and I worked with Arun at Third Eye Travel (Fremont, CA; 800/456-3393) to set up a personalized, 15-day tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, Feb. 11-25, 2010.
Assigned cabin too small
My wife, Shirley, and I have been vacationing in Norway for many years. We have friends in the Lofoten Islands and stay with them or in a rental owned by their son.
Mostar pension
When our group of 12 reached Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, during ElderTreks “Adriatic Adventure” tour in September 2010, half of us had the pleasure of staying at Pension Botticelli (Muje Bjelavca br.
Rented a car in the UK
Many people believe that someone over 70 cannot rent a car in the UK, but having this policy or not is up to each car rental company. At the age of 82, in 2009, I rented a car there from a major car rental company; I believe it was Avis. (A friend in England found out for me which companies had no age limit.
Finding savings in London
Except for a stopover of a couple hours in 2008, a week-long visit to London, Sept. 14-21, 2010, was our first time there since 1997. My wife and I noticed a number of changes.
Thai guest house
Every year for the past six years my daughter, Alison, and I have taken a trip to Thailand. In Chiang Mai we stay at Sarah Guest House (20 Tapae Road, Soi 4, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; phone [66 53] 208271, fax [66 53] 279423).
Hotels’ all-inclusive option
If you are going to mainland Europe and are concerned about the cost of extras, such as drinks and snacks during the day and wine with your meals, why not do as my wife, Vivien, and I did on our trips to Crete and Tenerife in late 2009, early 2010: choose the “all inclusive” option that is now offered by quite a few de
Paris hotel
After a tour of France in May ’10, my wife, Rose, and I stayed at the charming but small Hotel du Champ de Mars (7 rue du Champ de Mars, Paris 75007; phone +33 1 45 51 52 30) for three nights.
Tibet
To journey to Lhasa and continue on to Everest Base Camp to see the mighty Himalayan massif up close was a longtime dream of ours. For my husband, Larry, and me, this dream came true with our terrific guide in Tibet, Samdup Gyal (“Sam”), and our excellent, safe driver, Choeden.
‘Security absurdity’
After visiting Argentina in November ’10, my wife and I flew home to Charlotte out of Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) on Continental Airlines.
Lucerne pleasures
After my two teenage sons and I took the wonderful “Rhine Getaway” cruise from Viking River Cruises in June ’10, we took the train in Switzerland from Basel to Lucerne for a two-night stay.