This was published 7 years ago
A new airline technology leaves window seat lovers in the dark
Vietnam Airlines can black out the plane windows electronically.Credit: iStock
WINDOWS WIDE SHUT
I always request a window seat because I enjoy watching the passing scene. On a recent daytime flight with Vietnam Airlines, I was very disappointed when, after lunch, the cabin lights were dimmed and the windows were blacked out electronically. This technological innovation removes one of the very few enjoyable features of a flight for no apparent reason. I hope other airlines do not adopt the same practice.
Susan Morrison, Kiama NSW
DIY AFRICA
It certainly is cheaper to organise things yourself if you have the time, even for exotic places as Michael Gebicki writes.
However some may not realise how much you can save. I spent a month in East Africa last year. I organised everything myself except for the flight for which an agent in Australia helped me get a good deal.
It takes time but is relatively easy: that's what the internet is for. I spent a day tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda. That part of my trip cost about $1200, including rooms with private facilities. A similar experience by a reputable Australian-based tour company costs over $2500.
You have to be prepared to take public transport but that is a wonderful experience in itself and you get to meet the locals.
For example a 50-kilometre trip by minibus in Tanzania cost me just 88¢.
Chris O'Rourke, Bathurst NSW
Travellers need to be cautioned about the disturbance posed by their getting close and personal to Africa's wildlife (April 7). On an open-jeep safari in Kruger National Park, we sighted a gaunt-looking lioness stalking a herd of impala from a stony outcrop. The lioness' location was radioed through to other safari jeeps in our vicinity, despite my and my travel companion's protest. A large convoy of excited spectators soon made their noisy way down the road, blocking the lioness' direct access to the herd of impala grazing across the road. The lioness disappeared from view, its prey scattered soon after, and a meal was lost to capture. The lioness (and its cubs) faced potential starvation in serving our urgent need to see them in the wild. It's wonderful to spot Africa's wildlife as long as spectators take care to minimise the disruption to wildlife.
Joseph Ting, Carina, QLD
THE GOOD OIL
Regarding the question about whether aircraft are germ factories, what has always worked for me is tea tree oil. In a small zip lock bag place a small face washer and a small bottle of tea tree oil. Dampen the face washer with water and sprinkle on a few drops of the oil just before boarding. Hourly, unzip the bag and breathe into it through the nose. The washer can be rinsed and refreshed with clean water when washing hands, reapply the tea tree as needed.
Joyce Walters, Ballina, NSW
HOSTS WITHOUT THE MOST
In response to (Anne Buckley), Airbnb may be asking for more "credentials" for accommodation seekers to help them provide "an improved service" (read: collect more data on you to sell to third parties) but they also seriously fail on the hosting side. My tenants listed a room in my property in Airbnb (in violation of the standard lease agreement in Queensland) and when I asked Airbnb how it "proved" that the host actually is legally able to provide the accommodation, it responded with the standard line "Airbnb is an online platform and does not own, operate, manage or control accommodations". So there you have it, Airbnb is not in the accommodation business. Like all new "disruptive" services, Airbnb and Uber (etc) are here to monopolise an industry exclusively under their terms and conditions.
Renato Iannella, Yeronga, QLD
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.