Traveller Letters: My Qantas vaccination reward turned out to be useless

Amanda Yoxall, Springwood, NSW

GREATER GOOD

Terrigal, on NSW's Central Coast, really put the "'greater" into Greater Sydney recently with our holiday at the time limited by travel restrictions. We were able to swim in the ocean without needing wetsuits, enjoy a beachfront dinner in the Wamberal surf club, spot whales and dolphins from our verandah and delight in coastal walks. We arrived home refreshed because it only took us an hour in travel time.

Bettina Harri, Hornsby Heights, NSW

LITMUS TEST

The COVID-19 pandemic can be declared finished as of November 6 – the day that Traveller's print edition returned to 28 pages.

James M. Hicks, Wahroonga, NSW

EXPRESS PURPOSES

I can understand your correspondent's disappointment with the clanging of dishes on Switzerland's Glacier Express (Traveller November 6). We enjoyed similar scenery on the daylight Bernina Express but without all the trimmings, a carriage virtually to ourselves and with fresh air. We took the expert rail advice of The Man in Seat Sixty-One (see seat61.com) and used the local carriages pulled behind the Express at a fraction of the cost. Booking takes a bit of effort, but we have the loveliest photos, and not through the glass covered compartment, which was full to overflowing. I couldn't find a comparable trip on local trains for the Glacier Express.

David Greenall, Black Rock, VIC

LOCAL HERO

We are normally independent travellers but took an Intrepid tour of Morocco (Traveller, November 6). With a cheery "yala" (let's go), Mustafa led our multinational group of 16 on truly unique experiences: his parents' place for mint tea; the local steam rooms; and even coffee-ing with his brother in suburban Marrakesh. A persecuted, minority Berber, he'd stop the bus, head for a bedraggled tent, negotiate in Berber and wave us over for real Moroccan snacks. In an ancient village, we befriended a family he knew. At night he took out his drum, formed a band and had us dancing. A guide can make a trip.

Ron Thomas, Kalorama, VIC

SMALLER THE BETTER

Your story "Group rethink" (Traveller, November 6) highlighted the benefits of escorted journeys and I would like to recommend investigating smaller boutique companies that offer personalised and flexible travel. I travelled with Byroads Travel, run by Steve Mortimer, to Uzbekistan and the South Caucasus. These tours used local guides and provided wonderful local interaction. The choice of accommodation and emphasis on unique experiences made for inspiring escorted journeys.

Stephanie Ingster, Vaucluse, NSW

ALL SHOOK UP

I read Brian Johnston's escorted journeys story singing the praise of guided tours with interest. You see, in 2010 my wife and I decided that we would like to visit New Zealand. I wasn't keen but my wife talked me into a coach tour in December of that year. In the end it was a wise choice. We were on the Coastal Pacific train down the east coast travelling towards Christchurch when an earth tremor hit that city. Would we have got from the station to our accommodation if we had not been part of a tour group? I doubt it. Then at midnight a more severe earthquake hit. Quite an experience to be woken from our sleep on the thirteen floor of the hotel. This hotel had all the latest technology to deal with earthquakes and keep us safe. Would we have chosen this hotel for our stay? Probably not. Amidst the confusion that existed our tour director managed all arrangements and we continued to enjoy our holiday worry-free. And we had a great time with very nice travel companions. Of course, about eight weeks later, the devastating earthquake hit.

Ian Rosel, Wantirna, VIC

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Marje Williamson (Traveller Letters, November 6) the Salvation Army accepts coins from other countries at certain drop off points, regardless of whether they are current or superseded.

Vikki O'Neill, Ashburton, VIC

TRUTH DEFICIT

I have another Airbnb tale for the unwary. I travel with my sister and we are two widows who for medical reasons do not want to share a bedroom. We need one bedroom plus a sofa bed in the living area. Mostly it works out. Except in Broome, Western Australia, where we booked a one bedroom flat. The bedroom was a tiny bed-size alcove off the living area with no space in either, while the bathroom shared the laundry with a door opening directly outside. It was not suitable for two women for a week. We tried to claim a refund on the grounds of the misleading photos but received no answer. No more Airbnb until they get truth into their advertising.

Jenny Wandl, Davidson, NSW

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