GIVE IT A REST
A recent international flight reminded me of many travellers' rude backrest etiquette experiences. As I was bending over my tray table to eat my meal, the passenger in front decided to fully extend his backrest, hitting my head. Asking him to be more considerate, he barked back, "I always do it that way".
On the 10 flights I took last year just one traveller was considerate, turning around to check before lowering her backrest. Is it really that hard to ask?
Jens Korff, Epping, NSW
LETTER OF THE WEEK
I felt the same sense of near spiritual significance that you described in your article on New Zealand's Waitangi Treaty Grounds (Traveller, January 7) when I visited this site last year.
The Maori view that the event is symbolic of protest and conflict is justified and similar to our Australian Indigenous people's issues with Australia Day.
Your reference to the dispute on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II's visit at the 150th anniversary of the signing of the treaty, reminded me of the beautifully carved plaque in the Te Kongahu exhibition, showing the Queen's words on that occasion. It reads: "Today, we are strong enough and honest enough to ... admit that the Treaty has been imperfectly observed. I look upon it as a legacy of promise. It can be a guide to ... all those whose collective sense of justice, fairness and tolerance will shape the future. Queen Elizabeth II, Waitangi, 6 February 1990."
I thought this was well said. Let us hope against all odds that our collective sense of justice, fairness and tolerance, does indeed shape the future.
Joy Nason, Neutral Bay, NSW
BLUNT REPLIES
If John Swanton in his letter about the lack of sharp knives at holiday rentals (Traveller letters, January 7) were to Google "luxury island waterfront Pittwater" he will find a holiday property which comes with a set of very sharp kitchen knives, plus a sharpening steel. And the house is very nice too!
Terry Wooldridge, Scotland Island, NSW
Whether staying five-star or on a camping trip, we always carry two thin nylon cutting boards and a sharp kitchen knife kept specially for the purpose and sheathed. They pack unobtrusively (but not in your carry-on bag!) and are always useful. The nylon boards do double duty as plates for snacks.
Brian Macdonald, Watsonia, VIC
In response to John Swanton, we have a holiday apartment at the Sunshine Coast which provides a knife block and steel. It also used to provide cheese and pate knives, but with the third set in two years having disappeared sometime before Christmas along with two wooden chopping boards I wonder should I replace them again.
Bronnwyn White, St Lucia, QLD
GOING PUBLIC
The public transport options from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris (Traveller letters, January 7), are excellent. Depending on where you are staying in Paris, you can catch a train from Charles de Gaulle to the Gare du Nord, or Le-Bus Direct (formerly Les Cars Air France) to various stops within Paris.
Le-Bus Direct operates from both Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. On a trip to France in 2015, we caught the bus from Charles de Gaulle to the Arc de Triomphe upon arrival and the train from Gare du Nord to Charles de Gaulle when we departed.
Both worked well and were easy to manage and very efficient, though my preference would be the bus if it stops near your accommodation. The train can be quite crowded at peak times as it is a normal commuter line.
Tickets for the Le-Bus Direct can be purchased online in advance and their website provides clear advice about routes, stops and the like.
Amanda Bernie, North Rocks NSW
EDITOR'S NOTE In the letter of January 7 on the subject of transfers at Charles de Gaulle, the final paragraph should have read, "Our advice is not to pay for a transfer before you get to Paris and pay for it once you arrive at the hotel."
CLEARING THE AIR
The reference to Fiji's Nadi International Airport being among the world's most imperfect airports is incorrect and outdated. Nadi International Airport did indeed used to have what I also judged to be dodgy restaurants and small duty free stores.
However, having travelled there last last year we were very pleased to note the extensive renovations in progress. The "dodgy" restaurants have been replaced with clean and quick food outlets and the duty free stores are large. The airport is also undergoing other transformations.
Belinda Munro-Laylim, Kareela, NSW
GYM WELCOME
Ben Groundwater overlooked the value of a well-appointed gym at an airport for those for whom a proper exercise session helps to break a long haul flight.
Many airport gyms offer access to such facilities but, caveat emptor. In September I went to considerable effort to allow my international travel and training for the NYC marathon to coexist. But after arriving at the Grand Hyatt at Dallas Fort Worth airport at 5pm on a Saturday afternoon and asking for a casual pass ($U30 plus tax) to the 24-hour luxury fitness centre I was refused because "we prefer to leave access to our hotel guests".
Even though I explained my situation, my gold passport Hyatt membership, my offer to pay this same amount even just to use the showers after running outside, my requests even to talk to the manager were denied. The website still offers the same information and two letters to the Hyatt management have gone without response.
Louise Burke, Kingston, ACT
See: The nine best (and five worst) international airports named
SIMPLY BATTY
While the experience of the sight of fruit bats flying in Zambia (Traveller, January 7) would be exciting, the same can be experienced in the nightly fly-out from Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield, Victoria.
On a summer night standing on the Kew Boulevard bridge over the Eastern Freeway will not only provide a spectacular view of the sunset behind the CBD but at dusk thousands of grey-headed flying foxes fly out to feed, passing quite low (and it's free).
Ed Nantes, Kew East, VIC
Send us your travel-related opinions and experiences
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.
