Traveller letters: Simple plane seat recline etiquette isn't that hard

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

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