This was published 6 years ago
Readers' travel tips: Emirates should take note of why Changi Airport is the world's best
Emirates new business class lounge Dubai International Airport.
TIP OF THE WEEK: STOP RIGHT THERE
Australians on their mid-winter migration to explore Europe would do well to stop briefly in Abu Dhabi to visit the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It's memory will stay with you forever.
It is a really beautiful pillar of the strength and tranquility of Islamic faith, decorative and imaginative. Others, such as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, also impress.
Bruce Southerden, Queenscliff, NSW
ONE AND ONLY
So happy to see your cover story on Changi as the "world's favourite airport". Of course, Changi's reputation is based on many factors including snooze chairs, movies and speedy baggage carousels. But here I wanted to acknowledge the exceptional customer service.
During a recent stopover I fainted and the staff were remarkable. Nothing serious but nevertheless I was taken to the medical centre by a gentleman who stayed with me. He organised for me a later flight to Malaysia, personally escorted me to the gate and called post flight. Changi's number one status is well-deserved.
Laura Porter, Mosman NSW
I read with interest your article about Changi Airport. Perhaps Emirates should take note and invest in more passenger showers and toilets in their Dubai business class lounges.
On two occasions recently in Terminal 3 outbound and inbound at around 6.30am, I experienced extended queues of around 19 people ahead of me on the shower list. This was about a 30-minute wait, during which guests had to wait around the counter on limited seating to be called, or come back and check constantly.
The old lounge servicing many of the B gates is even worse. Want a shower? You get to run around as the facilities are small groups of showers scattered around, and each with extended waiting times. At the very least they should have a pager like many cafe counters, or an SMS notification of when your turn is up, but this is only a short-term solution.
Emirates should invest in more and better facilities in their lounges. Part of the advantage of flying business class is being able to shower at layovers on long-haul flights. The Cathay Pacific business-class lounge in Hong Kong in my view is tops, and my first choice in future rather than QF1 or Emirates via Dubai.
Gerald Chia, Chatswood, NSW
VIETNAM EASE
Having spent the past two weeks in the delightful country of Vietnam, three things (apart from the amazing people, food and scenery) stood out to me.
First, why is it that a country like Vietnam can have free, fast and reliable Wi-Fi on tourist boats, taxis, virtually every retail outlet, hotels and even the cycling tour, when at Australian tourist destinations complimentary Wi-Fi is a joke, if it exists at all?
Secondly, if visiting this great country, brace yourself for a face full of cigarette smoke. There is almost no escape. It's a shame such iconic hotels such as the Rex in Saigon reek of tobacco.
Thirdly, despite the most hectic traffic ever witnessed we saw only one incident of road rage and that was a Frenchman yelling at an Englishman.
Matt Peacock, Turramurrra, NSW
FROZEN CALLING
Elspeth Callender's humorous yet useful game plan for visiting Antarctica has me in a dilemma. Instead of fulfilling a long-held dream of returning to Africa to celebrate a birthday milestone the call to Antarctica is getting stronger.
What to do?
Joanne Karcz, Dangar Island, NSW
WELL PUTT
If you are a mad golf fan go to the Aussie Golf Ranch (aussiegolfranch.com.au) in Ventnor, Phillip Island, Victoria, and play some of their golf courses.
Mini golf and Pitch and Putt for the kids and Salt Water Creek for the family. Plus, it's only a 10-minute walk through the bush track and over the sand dunes and you're at the beach. We visited in summer and had an awesome time. We've stayed three times and the courses are always in good shape.
Liam McLeod (aged 10), Sunbury, VIC
CALLING CARDS
When travelling to the United States recently we purchased SIM cards for our phones. If you are travelling for under three weeks then a T mobile card for $30 is the best buy.
If travelling for more than three weeks then a AT&T card at $40 is the best buy. Both give unlimited calls and text (within the US) and data and it's free text back to Australia. We certainly got our money's worth.
Pam Arnold, Marks Point, NSW
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