Beaches and Islands

I spent Christmas-New Year’s 2004-2005 on the 15-day “VIETNAM Overland” tour, with a 2-day pre-tour to the Mekong Delta, offered by Peregrine Adventures, an Australian company. I booked through Adventure Center (1311 63rd St., Ste. 200, Emeryville, CA 94608; phone 800/227-8747 or visit www.peregrine adventures.com).

There were seven of us, and it turned out we were quite compatible, despite an age range from 27 to 75. I was the only American; the rest were from Australia.

In New Zealand, the word “brilliant” is used frequently as an adjective, as in, “brilliant food, brilliant view, brilliant idea.” My husband and I spent two weeks in South Island in March-April ’05. Our driver/guide, Malcolm Latta, was brilliant. What a superb trip we had.

This is not a day-by-day report but rather an overview, indicating the highlights of our journey among the Kiwis. Hopefully, it will provide inspiration and suggestions for those of you contemplating such a trip.

If you’ve never been to New Zealand, you really need to go. Those wonderful stories about the place are all true. If you’ve already gone, chances are you didn’t visit the North Island’s Bay of Plenty. Not a lot of people do. Stuck up in the northeastern corner about two hours from Auckland, this part of the North Island is rather off the beaten tourist path — and that means things are less crowded and more authentic.

by Linda Ledray

by Lillie Echevarria, Livermore, CA

by Bill Kizorek, Lisle, IL

I would like to add some information to the excellent articles on “Charming Madeira” by Philip Wagenaar in the May and June ’04 issues. I made a trip there a few years ago. I agree that Madeira is a beautiful and wonderful place to visit.

Our party of four took a delightful, somewhat “different,” 9-day trip to the Scottish islands, particularly the Shetlands and the Orkneys, followed by a 7-day trip that included the Isles of Jura, Colonsay, Gigha, Arran and the Mull of Kintyre.

Our trip was handled by Classique Tours (8 Underwood Rd., Paisley, PA3 1TD, Scotland; phone + 44 [0] 141 889 4050, fax + 44 [0] 141 848 7616 or visit www.classique tours.co.uk).

by Larry Taylor, Fullerton, CA