BELT UP
Am I the only reader of Traveller fed up with recent whiners and whingers and their squawks about kids on aircraft doing kid things? Go back 150 years on a trip London to Australia. Those moaning today would have spent six months at sea, chewing on salt pork and hard-tack biscuit while 50 years ago they would be spending weeks clambering on and off a piston-engined plane. Today it's all ease and comfort, so shove in your ear-plugs, in, pull on your eye-mask and get a life.
John B Quinn
LETTER OF THE WEEK
We recently arrived back at Sydney Airport from Auckland aboard an A380, along with several other A380s, judging by the large crowds. The customs and immigration officers were wonderful – friendly, efficient and competent, as they were also at Auckland. The process was pleasant as it could possibly be. Thank you.
Barbara Grant
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
We recently flew on Qantas from Shanghai to Melbourne via Sydney. The Qantas domestic transfer process at Sydney Airport was appalling with the queue snaking into the international terminal and hardly moving. Many overseas visitors had missed or would miss their connecting flights. Given Qantas must know in advance how many people are transiting, their inability to operate the service effectively is an indictment on them and its claim to support Australian tourism.
Daryl Chambers
NOTES OF CAUTION
All of my cash money, including Australian and US dollars as well as Euros, for my holiday was stolen from my handbag in the aircraft on a flight from Sydney to Dubai in August. I have travelled extensively for the past 30 years and this is the first time it has happened to me. The thief must have removed and returned my handbag when the lights were off and passengers were asleep, including me. It was an expensive lesson to learn. Travellers, put all valuables in your money belt, even when on the plane.
Wai Chun Turnbull
ALL THE RIGHT MOVES
We have been renting an apartment in Paris for three weeks and what could have been an uncomfortable, irritating and unhappy experience became delightful because of the actions of the rental agent we used, Guest Apartment Services. We were renting on the Ile St Louis, but quickly found out that the apartment above was being renovated. The drilling and hammering upstairs was only mildly irritating but the agency was mortified when we mentioned it. They immediately relocated us (not an easy task at this time of year) to what turned out to be a much bigger and better apartment nearby. They also moved all our belongings and did our our laundry as the new apartment doesn't have a washing machine - at no charge. An excellent experience which has enhanced our Parisian holiday.
Merv Keehn and Sue Harlow
ONE BIG PICNIC
I have just returned from a 15-day tour of Iran and echo your correspondent's recent sentiments (Traveller on Sunday, October 12). The people are welcoming, particularly the youth who want to chat and improve their English. We were heading for the Golestan Palace in Tehran and walked through a potential street demonstration, with riot police standing around. I couldn't believe my ears when one of them smiled and said "welcome to Iran". Families love their picnics, wherever there is a tree, some grass and shade. Many times we were invited to join them.
Peter Riddington
CANAL THERAPY
We have just returned from vacation in Europe, and had an enjoyable seven-day canal holiday on the iconic Gota Canal in Sweden. Four of us hired a motor cruiser from Gota Kanal Charter and the owner/operator was helpful and supportive as were all the canal staff. The Swedish countryside was picturesque, and the pace relaxed but busy. We highly recommend the experience for a different take on canal cruising.
Anne Szczurowski
STOP RIGHT THERE
Wholehearted support for Lee Tulloch's take on airport hotels (Traveller, October 4-5). She didn't mention Paris, but her advice also applies to travellers coming from other European cities or regional France, and leaving for Australia. In either case you usually have to spend the last night in Paris to make the check-in next morning. TGV trains from many French cities go directly to the airport. Stay the night before departure at an airport hotel; the Sheraton is great, one escalator up from the train platform. Next morning, travel down one escalator then it's a walk or airport train to the boarding gate. One last romantic night in Paris sounds great, but there will be a two-hour trip to your central Paris hotel on arrival, and a stressful two-hour trip back to the airport the next morning, plus bus or taxi costs and hauling luggage. A pre-departure manicure is a better way to spend the money.
Sandra Alexander
WE WELCOME YOUR TRAVEL-RELATED OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES
The writer of the letter judged the best of the week will receive a LUXE travel guides box set, valued at $60, including savvy, pocket-sized guides for destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, London and New York. See luxecityguides.com for more details. Letters may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Preference will be given to letters of 50-100 words or less. Email us at travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.
