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Traveller Letters: How can a plane have a 'technical issue' two weeks in advance?
One reader has questioned why a Singapore Airlines flight can be delayed due to a technical problem, two weeks in advance.Credit: iStock
IN A FIX
I have a flight back to Australia from Phnom Penh this month booked with Singapore Airlines. At the time of writing I received an email that due to a "technical problem" I am now on the scheduled flight that leaves four hours later. It's amazing that a technical problem can be predicted almost two weeks ahead of time and, more disturbingly, that it can't be fixed before then. I hope that there is no technical issue during my flight up there tomorrow as I refuse to wait two weeks to fix an in-flight fuel leak.
Duncan Leadbitter, Stanwell Park, NSW
LETTER OF THE WEEK
GET RAIL
We all need to travel more on trains (Traveller, October 22) which are mostly cheaper, often faster and always better for the environment. The lulling comfort of the train represents a clear victory over the hustle and hassle of the plane. That travelling from Paris to London by train emits 90 per cent less carbon dioxide than flying the same trip is an extraordinary statistic. Whenever possible, let's all enjoy the comfort, leg room, bag space, and inner city arrival pleasantries of rail travel. It's a no brainer.
Amy Hiller, Kew, Vic
COACHING SESSION
Lee Tulloch's column (Traveller, November 5) about the convenience of bus travel was interesting. We recently used buses in Italy from Bologna to Padua and from Verona to Bergamo Airport. You just have to be prepared that in some places you have to know exactly where the pick-up and drop-off is as not all cities have impressive stations and may not be near the train station. It really is worth finding the pick-up location on the day prior with Verona's being a dusty kerbside about 300 metres away from the roomy train and local bus precinct while drop-off at Padua is a few blocks from the nice train and tram station. Wet and cold weather could have been challenging but one advantage of buses is less worry about luggage space compared to getting on a crowded TGV which can be a bit of a bun fight.
Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights, NSW
VAN GLORIOUS
We're four women happily travelling in a van for seven weeks on an amazing journey across the Nullarbor Plain to Melbourne. We began at Sal Salis Resort in Western Australia - snorkelling, kayaking, bush-walking and swimming with humpback whales and then drove on to Esperance, with its boomerang-shaped bay and spectacular scenery. In Kalgoorlie we toured Questa Casa, the oldest operating (sometimes) brothel. In South Australia, we ate Coffin Bay oysters, diverted to an ancient Indigenous meeting place at Wilpena Pound, drank wine in the Clare Valley, went snorkelling in a sinkhole at Mount Gambier and marvelled at The Great Ocean Road in Victoria. We found the uniqueness that is Australia.
Lynette McGettigan, Lavender Bay, NSW
RARE SIGHTING
I can highly recommend booking an evening tour of a museum as a good way of avoiding queues (Traveller, October 29) at the best museums. Some years ago I booked a tour of the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence to see Michelangelo's David. Not only was the tour guide informative and entertaining but just after the tour finished and we had time to ourselves I was lucky enough to be the only person standing in front of David for about five minutes. It was a wonderful - and rare - experience.
Peta Heffernan, Flemington VIC
REX IS BETTER
I've just returned from Melbourne travelling with Rex for the first time. We've never had such a seamlessly smooth trip, from check-in and baggage drop with no queuing and prompt baggage collection at the other end, again with no waiting. The crew were friendly and helpful and even supplied me with a gluten free snack. I wouldn't think of going with any other airline.
Robyn Weinberg, Bellevue Hill, NSW
SINKHOLE FEELING
Reading your story (Traveller, October 29), one could be forgiven for thinking that South Australia no longer exists as your various writers waxed lyrical about the glories of our regional cities. There were mentions of Ballarat in Victoria, Launceston in Tasmania and even Fremantle in WA rated a mention. What about Mount Gambier in SA with its glorious blue lake, amazing sinkholes and endless wine trails?
Helen Rees, Cammeray, NSW
PEAK YOUR INTEREST
If for some reason you can't make to the Peak District, as described on David Whitley's wonderful guide (Traveller, October 29), the next best thing (with a few murders thrown in) are Stephen Booth's wonderful novels. Stephen lives in and loves the Peak District and his descriptions of the local area add to his mysteries.
Meg Smith, Umina Beach, NSW
HOLY ORDERS
In his article on Cologne (Traveller, October 30), Dan Fallon mentioned that the cathedral withstood heavy bombing during World War Two. But the building's survival was no accident. The Allies had no wish to destroy it and gave strict instructions to RAF bomber crews. Experienced aircrew were ordered not to target the cathedral and Cologne cathedral still stands.
Michael Challinger, Nunawading, VIC
UNGRACIOUS TO GRACELAND
In Brian Johnston's otherwise compelling article on Highway 61 stops in the US (Traveller, October 29), in the Memphis section I thought it rather unkind to refer to Graceland as a "hideous" home of Elvis. Rather the "spiritual" home of Elvis would have been more accurate.
Drew Porter, Wagga Wagga, NSW
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Our national carrier has copped a fair amount of criticism lately, some of which no doubt is well deserved. However, our recent experience showed them to be marvellous. My husband and I needed two business class tickets from Perth to Sydney for a medical emergency. Qantas to their credit found two business class seats on the red eye service from Perth and gave me food so I could take my medication upon arrival. The crew were fabulous, attentive but not intrusive. We feared having to pay the full fare for our early return, but Qantas said there would be no additional charge. We are not important people, we don't know anyone who works for Qantas, nor are we high on the list of frequent flyers. Sometimes, big businesses do the right thing and it should be acknowledged.
Anne Layman, Cronulla, NSW
TIP OF THE WEEK
SHOWERED WITH PRAISE
May I highly recommend the four-day Maria Island hike in Tasmania? Just off the east coast of the island and north of Hobart, lies a natural wonderland of wombats, wallabies and waterbirds. Our group of nine women was led ably by Pete and Reef whose guiding skills and knowledge of plant and bird life was only surpassed by their culinary skills. Cooking in bush tents they managed to produce gourmet cuisine accompanied by fine Tasmanian wines and beers. The company's strong conservation regard meant our basic tents and composting toilets were more than adequate leaving barely a footprint on the landscape. The highlight though was a three-sided, water-only, bush shower allowing you to marvel at the Aussie bush while washing your cares away.
Sally Spurr, Lane Cove, NSW
WHITE HOT
In response to your story on beaches that stole our hearts (Traveller, November 6) I loved Anse source d'argent beach on La Digue, Seychelles. Whitest of white sand, warm water, palms, smooth rocks which look like they have been put there by a landscape gardener. Remote, uncrowded and just beautiful.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster, VIC
CABLE GUY
It's almost negligent to devote three pages to a story about beaches and not give Cable Beach, Western Australia, a mention. Do one of your writers a giant favour and send them to Broome, to experience what is probably the best beach in the world.
Ian Maddison, Parkdale, Vic
DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR
In response to Lillian Horsnby (Traveller Letters, November 5), I too have been to the Islamic Arts museum in Kuala Lumpur, it is one of the best curated museums in Asia. The building itself is also a fine piece of architecture. It is located near the train station, as the writer points out, but also next to the National Mosque, which is an incredible building and can be viewed outside of prayer times. While on the subject Malaysia, it is a fascinating country with great beaches, food and multiculturalism on steroids. It's a most underrated destination for Australians and much cheaper than its sterile overpriced cousin Singapore. Do yourself a favour and visit soon.
Stephen Trevarrow, New Farm, Qld
ROUTE WORK
In response to Eva Havas's request for advice (Traveller Letters, October 30) on how to best travel to New York from Madison, Wisconsin. Madison has flights to both La Guardia (LGA), New York and Newark (EWR) airports and via connections to JFK in New York. Depending on when you are travelling it can be the most cost effective and convenient choice. Otherwise there is a bus connection (coachusa.com/van-galder-bus-company) from the University of Wisconsin campus (downtown Madison) to both Chicago O'Hare airport (ORD) and Milwaukee Gen. Mitchell airport (MKE) where cheaper direct flights to New York may be available. Good luck with your trip, Eva, and enjoy Madison.
Jenice Con Foo, Madison, Wisconsin, US
WHILE THE CAT'S AWAY
We read your review of the Virgin Hotel, Edinburgh (Traveller, November 6) with a smile this morning as we were recent guests there. We'd booked a castle view room at the new Virgin Hotel. We arrived late in the day and were shown to our room. While it was nicely fitted out it was seriously disappointing as we had a small window looking out to a brick wall. I indicated our disappointment to the Virgin staff member who promptly got us two glasses of French champagne then escorted us to "Sir Richards Flat", the suite used by Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson when in town. It was decadent, luxurious and sexy. A great way to start our week in Scotland.
Tracy Mackey, Clovelly, NSW
HOW TO WRITE TO US
We give preference to letters of 100 words or fewer and they may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Please use full sentences, don't use textspeak and don't include attachments. Email us at travellerletters@traveller.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.
The Letter of the Week writer wins Hardie Grant travel books worth more than $100. For November, that includes Ultimate Food and Drink Australia; Ultimate Caravan Trips Australia; and Neighbourhood Guide to Cycling Naarm-Melbourne.
See hardiegrant.com
The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three great Lonely Planet travel books.
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