Reader's tip: Beware urban myths surrounding UK working holiday visas

Margot Pope, Springwood, NSW

TIP OF THE WEEK

Candidasa sits on the east coast of Bali and it was there that I loved the interaction with the locals. A trekking guide took me through the rice terraces and then when "off duty" drove me on the back of his motorcycle to a nearby beach and traditional village.

I was embraced by the community and welcomed into the temple each evening to see dancing, singing and even gambling on dice games. When, on the final night, there was a torrential downpour, the locals insisted I go on the stage and sit among the gamelan players where it was dry.

Kylie Doddrell, Shepparton, VIC

GOLD DIGGERS

Travelling in France with children? Take a few moments to collect the gold souvenir medallions on offer for €2 at many popular tourist destinations.

When little people's spirits were flagging at the thought of yet another museum, monument, church or chateau, we had only to mention the possibility of collecting another gold medallion and their enthusiasm was bolstered. It became quite a treasure hunt, from Paris to Uzes to Moustiers Sainte Marie to Annecy.

We came home with a collection of 12 from our month-long travel throughout France. A memento worth its weight in gold.

Amanda Watson, Launceston, Tasmania

ADVANCE WARNING

If you have a seniors card and plan on visiting Sydney, apply for a seniors' Opal card online, at least 10 days before you go. The card gives access to trains, buses and ferries for about $2.50 per day, except the train into the city from the airport.

However, if you wait and try to buy a seniors card at the airport on arrival you will have to buy a full fare card, with every trip charged to the card at the full price. The card is fairly new and the rules slightly confusing, so it's worth checking out the website.

Suzanne Katz, Canterbury, VIC

CUBA CRISIS

Like many Australians, we were keen to see Cuba before it was overrun by US tourists. But our visit in late 2015 did not turn out as expected after Westpac wrongly advised us that we could use our debit cards to access cash in Cuba.

Instead of enjoying the sights of Havana, we spent our week queuing at banks and money exchanges and then at the one state-run phone company for phone and Internet cards to contact Westpac for assistance. Westpac ignored our pleas for help and we were only saved by the goodwill and generosity of an ex-pat Australian who lent us money.

We could have learnt more about Cuba than its idiosyncratic queuing system if our pre-trip research had alerted us to the fact banks and companies with links to the US still cannot operate in Cuba; Cuban ATMs do not accept MasterCard, only VISA; and as we travelled via Mexico, Mexican pesos can also be exchanged in Cuba.

Helen Rushford, Newport, VIC

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