This was published 8 years ago
Traveller letters: Beware letting Australia Post hold your mail
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Insurance companies advise travellers to have household mail held by Australia Post while they're away. But beware. My own held mail started on June 23 and should have ended on October 8. Half of the mail was delivered daily as per usual with friends and neighbours collecting it, if they were around.
The other half was delivered as a parcel on October 1 (one week too early – and left lying outside the front door, clearly visible to any passer-by). And a further three letters dated June 17 arrived on December 3 (water bill and financial advice over five months late).
Asked what had gone wrong, Australia Post claimed that "all mail was held as instructed" and nothing had gone wrong at all, everybody had done a great job. Further emails came back with the remark "we couldn't locate your case". No wonder that more and more people abandon Australia Post and look for better service elsewhere.
Peter Gerdes, Paddington, NSW
PINK FIT
On a recent drive through France we ordered hamburgers at a small hotel restaurant. It was surprising to be asked how we liked our meat cooked. Not thinking more of it we said, "well done". Being the goat that I am, I ate mine pink while my wife balked at the colour of hers.
We were later told that if you want meat well done as we know it, you point to your shoe when ordering. At a later time, this gesture didn't work either. Don't they know that the surface of raw meat may contain bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria, or parasites which permeate when minced and only thorough cooking destroys them. Moral: avoid mincemeat items in France, except perhaps McDonald's.
Geoff Palfreman, Dingley Village, VIC
MAJOR OVERSIGHT
I'm saddened at the omission of an upcoming key Australian World War I anniversary in the article, "Join the major events league" (Traveller, December 5-6). The battles at Fromelles and Pozieres, in France, fought primarily by the AIF, were both devastating by number of casualties yet impressive by bravery and determination.
I travelled there in September this year, to pay my respects, touring by minivan, with the very professional Terres de Memoires. Many commemorations and memorials are being finalised for July 2016, I highly recommend putting it on the agenda for next year.
Lucy Franklyn, Brighton East, VIC
SITUATION TERMINAL
I could not agree more with Caroline Tait's letter (Traveller Letters, December 5-6). I too could not believe the distance we had to walk to get to the departure gate at Terminal 4 without a single moving walkway.
How can any airline build a brand new terminal in Melbourne of such a poor standard? Not only is Jetstar now a budget airline, it also has a below budget terminal.
Furthermore, the Terminal 4 car park is extremely difficult to find from the Tullamarine freeway. The signage to help you find the entrance to the car park is a disgrace. I will never use the car park again.
Max Wolf, Caulfield North, VIC
WHAT A LEGEND
My husband and I travelled with Peregrine annually since 2007 and all were great trips. When he was diagnosed with cancer our travel plans were thwarted. Sadly, he died in July. I have now made plans to travel with my cousin next year, as he would have wanted.
Booking our trip to Portugal, I discovered that I am now a "Peregrine Legend" and that my trip would be free up to $2500. I was very pleasantly surprised at the extent of the loyalty bonus. However, it didn't end there.
Given the exceptional circumstances, Peregrine has extended my husband's "Legend" status to my cousin who will now travel free with me. We always knew that Peregrine is an adventurous, safe and reliable travel company. Now we add "generous" to the list.
Kylie Moran, Newcastle, NSW
OPEN AND SHUT CASE
Isaac Rochwerger is "sick and tired of people extolling the virtue of visiting Iran" (Traveller Letters, December 5-6), suggesting that the nation be avoided due to its uncivil governmental policies.
But, while I agree with his view on the policies of the Iranian government, I do, however, suggest it is inappropriate to boycott a nation because your own values differ with those of that nation.
I have visited several nations with differing values to mine. By keeping an open mind, my values have been broadened because of the experience. I visit a nation not to condone the policies of the government, but to experience the culture, the cuisine, the scenery and engage with the people.
Dr Bruce Moon, Currumbin, QLD
MAN OH MANHATTAN
As an Australian living in Ireland for work, I recently visited the vibrant and famous Manhattan for the first time. Although it may be trendy now to visit far off places like Budapest, Istanbul and Iran and somewhat outdated to visit the Statue of Liberty and the view from the Empire State, I encourage readers to visit the latter.
Manhattan may not be hipster and daring like an adventure to far east Asia, but it is perpetually famous and brilliant. It is just that. Manhattan.
Rosemary Farrow, Dublin, Ireland
MY BRILLIANT KOREA
Your article on Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market (Traveller, November 7-8,) included a side bar headed "Five more great fish markets". One of them was Busan's Co-operative Fish Market in Korea.
When I visited, as part of a shore tour during an MV Volendam cruise, I was amazed at the lack of any fishy smell and others in the group also remarked on this with surprise.
The cleanliness level was very high and the vendors presented their product very well. I had had low expectations of this section of the tour but it proved to be a highlight. Bravo, Busan Co-operative Fish Market.
Virginia Thorley, Goodna, QLD
WE WELCOME YOUR TRAVEL-RELATED OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES
The writer of the letter judged the best of the week will receive a Lonely Planet prize pack. See www.lonelyplanet.com.
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