A high-speed passenger ferry traveling between Hong Kong and Macau on Oct. 26 hit a significant object in the water, lost power and began to take on water, though it did not sink. At least 124 of the 174 passengers and crew on board were injured, including five who were listed in critical condition. Many passengers had to wait hours to board rescue boats.
The ferry struck the object, which has not been identified, about 30 miles from Macau.
We were very grateful for the recognition our ecology-tours park received with the reader’s letter “Aerial tram, Costa Rica” (Sept. ’15, pg. 14), and we have the following comments to add.
Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic (866/759-8726, www.rainforestadventure.com) is not located in Guapiles. Guapiles is the city closest to the park but is about 20 to 25 minutes away.
Located on Route 32, 28½ miles northeast of San José, the park is a private reserve that borders Braulio Carrillo National Park.
My wife, Jacquey, and I traveled to France for our first river cruise with Viking River Cruises. On our 8-day cruise, “Portraits of Southern France,” the Hermod was scheduled to sail May 3-10, 2015. We had also signed up for Viking’s 3-day Paris package that preceded the cruise.
Tell us about the funniest thing that happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the United States.) There are no restrictions on length. ITN staff will choose each month’s winner, who will receive a free one-year subscription to ITN. Include your full mailing address. Entries not chosen cannot be acknowledged.
This month’s winner is GLADYS SHELDON of Oconomowoc, WI:
In El Salvador, members of the Barrio 18 gang killed at least seven public bus drivers on July 28 and 29 in an attempt to pressure the government to, among other demands, release jailed gang leaders.
The gangs asked bus drivers to stage a 3-day strike in order to convince the government to negotiate with the gangs. The drivers were targeted when they refused. As of press time, nationwide, more than 100 out of 1,000 bus lines had stopped service. Government vehicles had taken over transportation services along stopped routes.
Taking the aerial tram with Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic (phone, in the US/Canada, 866/759-8726, www.rainforestadventure.com) was a great way for my wife and me to spend a few hours during our February 2014 visit to Central America.
After spending a week with seven others in a rented villa near Manzanillo, Mexico, June 20-27, 2015, six of us had a 7-hour layover in Mexico City on our way home to Chicago. Since we had never visited the cty, we inquired about a tour.
Initially, we were told there were no tour companies operating from the airport, but then someone suggested we try a taxi. We made inquiries and eventually hired Ismael Calvillo (phone [cell] +044 55 2829 8415 or [home] 5712 7700) and his large taxi to show us the city.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Dubai Tram began running in November 2014. Its 6½-mile route begins at the marina, connecting with the Red Line of the Dubai Metro, and continues for 11 stops along the waterfront. Trains (with up to 405 passengers) run every six minutes from 5:30 a.m. to midnight.
In regard to Stephen Addison’s comments in the letter “A Guide to Brussels’ Metro” (March ’15, pg. 12), I can only agree. I’m also an experienced traveler, and in November 2014, wanting to day trip to refresh memories I had of Brussels’ main attraction, the Grand Place, I arrived by Eurostar at the Brussels-Midi/Zuid station and found signage to the Metro in the vast station to be almost nonexistent.
Off the coast of Myanmar, about 50 people were killed on March 14 when a ferry carrying 209 people sank in conditions of high waves and poor weather. The ferry was traveling from the town of Taunggok to the city of Sittwe. Residents of Taunggok believe the death toll to be higher, as there would have been many unregistered passengers on board.
Ferry and other marine accidents are common in Myanmar.