Traveller letters: Confused pilot fails to impress plane load of Tasmanians

There were no crowds and we would decide on the train (with Eurail Pass and Fodors) what would be open and where we would stay. We always experienced excellent service as hosts were so grateful to have paying guests in winter. We ate at cosy little local cafes.

I have lain on the floor of the Sistine Chapel and not been hurried on. I have seen Hagia Sophia with no scaffolding in the dome, again the only way to appreciate that is lying on the floor and looking up into the dome – as my art teacher told me many years ago. I have approached Chartres Cathedral in the fog on a train to see the uneven spires slowly take shape.

I have taken pictures of landmark New York buildings and galleries, without people thinking I had sinister motives, obtained tickets to the opera and top Broadway shows at the last minute, and have never had to put up with cruise ship groups being sprinted through the great galleries of the world.

Oh, yes, how lucky I was to have been a skier and to have travelled in winter.

Nan Brandt, Albury, NSW

MOUNTING EXCITEMENT

Craig Tansley's cover story (Traveller, May 18) brought back delightful and not so distant memories, of our visit to Patagonia in Chile and Argentina in October and November last year.

Not being "horsey" people, we did not take the gaucho horse riding option (it did sound splendid, though) but we did spend time self-touring on local buses and "shank's pony".

El Chalten is indeed marvellous for hiking of all experience levels and the landscape does not disappoint with vast mountain ranges, glaciers and meandering cold mountains streams and rivers.

The lenga (beech) forests are stunning and there is much wildlife including Andean condors, woodpeckers, other assorted birds and even armadillos. But, sadly, we saw no pumas.

The bus trips to El Chalten and Torres del Paine from El Calafate afforded us a front-row seat to view the vastness of the pampas with isolated estancias dwarfed by the enormous snow-capped mountains, and where the fierce winds and cold slice through you like a knife.

But back to the gauchos, who are extremely proud of their history and heritage. A parade in Ushuaia included a couple of hundred gauchos of all ages proudly parading through the streets on horseback one Sunday afternoon.

They were accompanied by their young sons and daughters, also on horseback, trying to keep the lifestyle alive, and their families and other locals cheering them on. Their display of horsemanship, even in those confining circumstances, was amazing.

Vicki Copping, Oatley, NSW

ON THE BOIL

The letter "Pressing matter" (Traveller, May 18) about using the hotel electric iron as a toaster brought to mind my grandmother's travelling innovation.

My nana, Alma, travelled extensively through her later years, often on a shoestring budget. Her most valued travel tool was a Birko jug.

Not only could she use it to heat up her soup, she would then boil an egg for her next course, fire it up once more for her cup of tea and then, of course, use the residual heat of the jug to iron her pants.

It was also vital in the final pack as she would store her "smalls" in it, which helped her find them at her next destination. For her it was an all-round travel tool – an Aussie version of the Swiss Army knife (almost).

Dean Banova, South Yarra, VIC

FINE FOLK ONE

I was surprised Anthony Curtis' letter about Norfolk Island was chosen as letter of the week (Traveller Letters, May 18). It made me wonder when he visited. Our stay at Endeavour Lodge, in 2017, by contrast, was wonderful: the people were warm and friendly, and the island beautiful.

The islanders are a cohesive community, often having more than one job and coming together to unload cargo from vessels about once a month in the manner of "all hands on deck!" – a most interesting spectacle.

Return to Norfolk Island, Anthony, things have changed. You can't tell much from such a short stay.

Sandy Cuming, Carlingford, NSW

FINE FOLK TWO

Our experience of Norfolk Island was in stark contrast to that of Anthony Curtis. We were met at the plane by our host, a born-and-bred islander who was also the harbourmaster.

He drove us to our cottage, where basic supplies were provided and our hire car awaited us. He and everyone else we met was happy, helpful and knowledgeable.

One of my ancestors was shipwrecked on Norfolk when the Sirius ran aground in 1790 and we were keen to research family history. Although the historical museum was closed for renovations, a lovely lady met us there and told us all we wanted to know and pointed us to where my ancestor had lived and farmed.

Margaret Blackshaw, Oxley Flats, VIC

ZIP IT

You won't find any half-used soap bars in my hotel room (Traveller, May 18). I bring zip-lock bags and take them with me to use at home, and I always carry one in my handbag to leave in public toilets where there often is no soap.

Renee Engl, Coopers Shoot, NSW

FRIENDLY BUNCH

My husband and I are in Samoa on holiday and about five hours after we arrived he slipped on a wet floor in our hotel and suffered a deep gash on his head.

I cannot thank the management and staff at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel enough for the care and attention he received.

From the first aid at the hotel to the night manager, Leolofisa, who came with us in the ambulance to the hospital, and the staff at the Samoa Hospital in Apia, who looked after him.

Everyone has been wonderful. In a world where you think no one cares, the people of Samoa have shown themselves to be wonderfully friendly. If you need to have a holiday please visit Samoa.

Michele Zehnder, North Balgowlah, NSW

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