Traveller Letters: Jetstar’s business class is barely economy standard

Bad business

I have to disagree with your review of Jetstar’s international service (Traveller, June 4 ). I recently flew Jetstar from Singapore in business class, row one. The seats were barely economy standard. My neighbour’s footrest was broken, while my seat did not recline. In fact, the seats were nothing like business class on any other airline. It seemed pointless to have paid a business class fare as it was impossible to get comfortable or to sleep.

One reader was unhappy with Jetstar’s business class.

The crew were friendly but not particularly efficient, with none of them seemingly attending to the cabin. Crockery remained on my neighbour’s table all through the night, only to be removed when the meal was served before landing. The final indignity was that we were advised that although this was a business class flight we were not entitled to any points or status credits.
Susan Funder, Southbank, Vic

Letter of the week: Maintain the Raja

Exploring the islands of Raja Ampat.Credit: iStock

I read your “Give Bali a break” story (Traveller, May 18) with interest as my partner and I recently returned from four weeks in Indonesia. Three of those weeks were in Raja Ampat where we took two weeks completing a Millekul Adventures guided kayaking trip in the less-visited southern Raja Ampat and a week diving in the north with Tarzan Diving. Accommodation for the kayaking consisted of a mix of camping and homestays while the diving was homestays only.

Along with kayaking in jungle lagoons among ancient rock art and a visit inside a huge cave, we also walked to viewpoints, bought locally caught fish, swam in a jellyfish lake and explored tributaries in the jungle. We snorkelled, lunched on stunning beaches and even completed a night kayak. We saw, at the most, a handful of tourists, but regularly they don’t see any at all, and we learnt so much about Indonesian culture from our guides
Tom Ruggles, Castlemaine, Vic

Merchant enchantment

The article by Brian Johnston about Lubeck and other Hanseatic towns of Northern Germany (Traveller, June 5) was wonderful. I recommend reading Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann, a classic novel from 1902, based on his prosperous merchant family in Lubeck and its gradual decline in status and importance. A fascinating story, especially for anyone visiting this area.
Angela Raymond, Thirroul, NSW

My heart was warmed by Brian Johnston’s story and the photos about the Hanseatic League cities, and in particular about his favourite city, Luebeck. I had just persuaded one friend to finally visit this town which has such inspiring places. He mentioned my favourite restaurant Schiffergesellschaft which is opposite Jakobikirche (St James’ Church) renowned for also being a memorial for civil seafaring. He is right in suggesting travellers should venture beyond the “hot spots” of southern Germany. The beer up north is just as good and if you like sweets, then Niederegger is perfect for marzipan and any number of tortes.
Dierk Mohr, South Turramurra, NSW

Sunnier perspective

After visiting Sun City South Africa last year, I thought Rob McFarland’s views (Traveller, May 25) were quite unfair. We flew to the UK last year and decided to fly via Sun City for three nights to break up the trip and provide our teenagers with an African safari experience. We found the service and experience excellent, and good value especially compared with the cost of so many European and American destinations. The safari experience was something we’ll never forget. It was an excellent stop off for a family trip to Europe, and I couldn’t praise it highly enough. For anyone wanting something different en route to Europe, make sure you consider a stop at Sun City. And unlike Vegas or Disney, the staff are genuine, even if the high-end polish may not be there.
Anthony Carn, Balmain, NSW

Beautiful laundrettes

Tim Richards is spot on with his love of laundrettes overseas (Traveller, June 10). Meeting locals and fellow travellers sharing stories, it’s great fun. My best laundrette experience was Jasper, Canada. Not only could you wash clothes, you could order a meal, take a shower and use the internet. Everything a traveller required. I’m sure there was also a pub nearby; brilliant.
Maree Harrison, Nerrina, Vic

The best laundrette I ever found was in New Orleans, having flown down from Washington DC and needing to do some washing. As most hotels are ridiculously expensive for laundry I asked the person at reception if there was a facility nearby. She pointed me to the Frenchman Street area where I found laundry heaven – washing machines and dryers on the left and a sports bar on the right. It involved a five-metre walk to transfer the clothes to the dryer and then it was back to the bar. It was set up by a Vietnam Vet who saw a great business opportunity, bless him.
Ron Wessel, Mount Saint Thomas, NSE

What a great piece from Tim Richards and well-done Jamie Brown in pulling a perfect drop to illustrate the combination of laundry and ale. It led me to ponder that perhaps an extra line in Pete Seeger’s adaptation of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 could read: “A time to imbibe and a time to dry out”. That may be appropriate as he next raises his glass.
Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW

It’s terminal

New York’s JFK airport – avoid it if you can.Credit: iStock

Frank Coates (Traveller Letters, June 1) is correct: New York’s JFK is the worst US airport to arrive at – cramped space, rude officials, and no compassion (make a mistake on your form, and you are sent to the back of the line to start over). The airport in Los Angeles (LAX) is marginally better with its larger space and the fact that you can sometimes find a friendly immigration officer. San Francisco’s airport is mellower again. You could spend 15 hours flying from Sydney on the comfortable A380 and transit in Dallas-Fort Worth. If transferring to American Airlines, buy a day pass to the AA lounge (unless you have Qantas Club membership) and enjoy the amazing five-direction showers.
Margaret Tomkins, Port Huon, Tas

Tip of the week: Brick by brick

I recently returned from a tour that included the World War I battlefields of Belgium and France, with a visit to the small but important medieval trading city of Ypres, reduced to a pile of rubble by almost constant German artillery bombardment. What really amazed me was that the Belgian government, at the urging of the Belgian king, decided to rebuild the entire city and return it to its pre-war state.

Rebuilt: Ypres.Credit: iStock

Today the glories of Ypres are its vast medieval cloth hall with its impressive clock tower and the city’s large cathedral. The rebuild took only 10 years to complete and was done so meticulously that today I suspect many tourists who fail to visit the excellent Flanders Fields Museum in the cloth hall, or the Menin Gate Memorial dedicated to the Australian and allied soldiers who defended the city, sadly leave with the mistaken impression that Ypres survived the war virtually unscathed.
Stephen Doyle, Hepburn Springs, Vic

Pack mentality

Reading and hearing about travellers with lost baggage or issues collecting bags from carousels, could I suggest just trying to take carry-on? We spent a month in Norway and Singapore in April requiring seven flights. With carry-on bags, travelling through airports was easy. It also made our rail journeys and a Hurtigruten cruise more enjoyable. We’ve just returned from a Singapore holiday and were impressed when speaking with an Aussie couple about to embark on a four-month tour of Europe who were taking carry-on bags only.
Judi Rosevear, Wantirna, Vic

Stans subscriber

I’ve just returned from a five-Stans tour of Central Asia and my advice is to go to Turkmenistan and tolerate the exhausting eight-stage entry process and the occasional Soviet-era hotel service. Experience Ashgabat, the crazy, beautiful, white “city of love”. Dine upstairs at the Sport Hotel and the Independence Park and see the city colours at night. Greet locals with “salam alaikum” and be rewarded with beaming smiles and friendly responses, sometimes in English. See the parks, the History Museum, the Russian Bazaar, horses and Nissa and Merv historic sights. If you haven’t crossed the Kara Kum desert to Khiva by four-wheel drive, overnighting at Darvaza, you haven’t travelled.
Michael Hill, Earlwood, NSW

On the buses

Visiting Cornwall in the UK Try the local buses. My daughter and I have just returned from a week in both Penzance and Falmouth and found a day ticket of about £7 ($14) allowed unlimited travel on any of the local buses, which included double-decker and open topped buses. We used the extensive schedules and were so glad we hadn’t hired a car, as the narrow lanes and high hedgerows prevented the great views we had of the surrounding countryside. There were also many times car drivers had to back up to allow buses to pass. No stress for us watching from on high.
Judy Hocking, Mt Martha, Vic

No stopping them

Disappointed to miss out on a booking for New Zealand’s Milford Track Department of Conservation huts, we decided to treat ourselves to the privately-owned Ultimate Hikes Classic eight-day walk including both Milford and Routebourne tracks.

Mitre Peak in Milford Sound.Credit: iStock

The accommodation, food and guiding were outstanding, with a secondary benefit being that us guided walkers were allowed through a flooded section, while the independent walkers needed to stop an extra day, potentially missing connections at the end. Walkers entering the track that day had their booking cancelled but Ultimate Hikes see all walkers through, even if sections need to be flown over by helicopter. We loved our hike and will certainly book again with Ultimate Hikes.
Gabrielle and Paul Oslington, Sydney, NSW

Muchas gracias

Although there are many cautions in travel pages about theft in tourist areas, following a recent trip to Spain, I want to express a heartfelt thank you to the people in Seville and Madrid who handed in our lost bags. All contents were intact and I feel incredibly lucky and grateful and wish to record such a positive and goodness-affirming experience in Spain. Truly a great country and people.
JanMaree Davis, Sans Souci, NSW

The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. See hardiegrant.com

The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. See shop.lonelyplanet.com