Traveller letters: Are travelling couples more entitled to comfort than singles?

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Traveller letters: Are travelling couples more entitled to comfort than singles?

Have you given up your seat for a couple?

Have you given up your seat for a couple?Credit: iStock

TWO'S A CROWD

While having a nap at Paris Charles de Gaulle Air France Lounge on one of six prized bendy beds, I was awoken by a middle-aged man and his lady friend who impatiently motioned for me to leave so that they could have adjacent beds.

When I refused, they started cuddling in the single vacant bed to me and I had to avert my eyes. I have on occasion offered my seat so that couples can sit together on planes and tour buses. However, it's unfair that pairs demand togetherness as an entitlement, prejudicing the single traveller's comforts and preferred seats.

Good point: Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

Good point: Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

Why are so many couples joined at the hips like Siamese twins, unable to tolerate even brief hours in close but not adjacent proximity?

Joseph Ting, Carina, QLD

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Many believe the Maldives to be merely beaches and resorts. But during my weeks volunteering on a local island I gained a great appreciation of Maldivian culture including traditional dancing and cuisine such as spicy tuna and coconut salad, eaten with roti.

A common sight are the Maldivian chairs that line most streets, beaches, and around campfires. Made of pipes and netting, they comfortably host many locals for a quick chat, party, or just laid-back company.

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Young Maldivians are particularly curious and love making friends with foreigners in what is an isolated part of the world.

Lauren Timms, Williamstown, VIC

WHAT'S YOUR POINT

Each week as I read Traveller I give myself points for destinations visited. One point for an international country article, two points for a city, and three points for a specific tourist destination.

So, Ngorongoro, Tanzania (Traveller, July 30) is three points, and it is a fantastic garden of Eden.

No points for ads, no points local stuff, even though we have some fantastic sights. (It's just a game after all). And only 15 points this week.

I must get out more.

Tim Schroder, Gordon, NSW

HIGH SOCIETY

I recently visited the Dorchester (Traveller, July 30) for their champagne high tea and thoroughly concur with your writer about the elegance and ambience of this grand hotel.

Better still, for two gluten-free people, their special high tea was exemplary. Light, delicate sandwiches (not the words usually associated with gluten-free bread), fluffy scones and a selection of delicious cakes and chocolates were complemented by an extensive range of teas.

The service was friendly and always impeccable. With a pianist adding to the luxurious atmosphere, we felt a million miles away from the hustle of London.

Michele Dunn, Maroubra, NSW

BRICK OF THE BUNCH

Surely Andrea Black is joking. In her "Six of the Best New York hotels" article (Traveller, July 30) she lists the Sago. For rooms starting at $467 I would expect more from the accommodation. It looks more like a cheap bessa brick motel off the Hume Freeway and, from the photograph, it appears that housekeeping is non-existent.

Tony Curtis, Ballarat Central, VIC

FROZEN MOMENT

On the afternoon of our first day in Reykjavik during a recent visit to Iceland spent the last of our money we had on us on two tickets for the hop-on, hop-off bus. We planned to catch the second last bus of the day, due at 4.30pm.

Unfortunately for us, the bus sailed past us as we ran to the stop opposite a church, and did not stop, even though it was a 10 minutes early.

So, we waited for the 5pm bus. It was becoming dark, it was very very cold and a heavy drizzle had settled in. By 5.45pm, we knew the 5pm bus was not coming and we had to walk back many kilometres in freezing, raining and dismal conditions to our ship, berthed in the newest, farthest, wharf. We emailed the company upon our return to Sydney and a lovely, apologetic woman, Helga, promptly replied, immediately putting in place a full refund of our tickets.

And in last week's mail, we received a beautiful coffee table book about Iceland, from Helga on behalf of the company.

Eve and Peter Smith, Maroubra, NSW

PLEASE EXPLAIN

I'd like some advice on flights to Cuba. We would like to fly to LA, hire a car to drive the west coast for two weeks then fly to Cuba. How soon do you think we will be able to fly one stop from Sydney via LA to Havana? We would like to travel in February, 2017.

Is it safe/possible to self-drive around Cuba?

Miranda Blake, Allambie, NSW

TARGET PRACTICE

As an "Emerald" One World frequent flyer, I was disappointed to learn I was "bumped" from Qantas flight from Sydney to Singapore.

The Qantas attendant was polite, offering me a later flight or the option to transfer to Singapore Airlines, its competitor, which I accepted.

I travel frequently for business and care only about the schedule for my meetings and onwards travel, not money and upgrades.

I just wonder how airlines determine who they bump off flights. My friend said that because I didn't check in the night before I had become a target.

Peter Brazel, Alexandria, NSW

ISLAND DREAMING

In response to David Ginsbourg's comments (Rants & raves, July 30) can someone please share a positive Tiwi Island experience?

We have a Ghan train booking for July next year and had planned to do the day ferry trip to the Tiwi Islands, but are now left wondering if we will be disappointed.

Rhonda Seymour, Castle Hill, NSW

UNSOLVED CASE

We've just had 18 days travelling on an escorted coach tour around Spain staying in good quality hotels. We wondered why there is only room to place one suitcase on the side in the hotel room when the majority of rooms have two persons staying and it means one person has to place their suitcase on the floor.

Marilyn Bell, Umina Beach, NSW

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