Traveller Letters: Where’s my breakfast and coffee, Qantas?

Cereal killers

On a recent Qantas overnight flight back to Australia from Asia I was surprised when the cabin lights were turned on and we were instructed to buckle up and prepare for landing. I went to the galley asking politely what happened to breakfast or a cup of coffee? In reply, I was snapped at with a “we no longer serve a second meal on flights shorter than 10 hours”. That was news to me as a regular flyer.
Derek Baker, Forest Lodge, NSW

Two Qantas passengers were unhappy with the lack of meal service on recent flights.Credit: Getty Images

Feeding crimes

On a Qantas flight from Tonga, the 10-hour trip (including five hours for delay, ground transfer and check-in) was made unbearable by the lack of a meal service. We were issued a big bag of “snacks”, mostly crackers and biscuits. I stuck to the acidy mix of olives and a wine which, after striking turbulence, had me vomiting in the toilet twice. My husband, a type 1 diabetic who is life dependent on regular food intake, ended up having a hypoglycemic episode after we arrived at our hotel in Sydney at 10.30 pm.
Rachel Burns, Nambucca Heads, NSW

Letter of the week: Secret business

Palau, as yet undiscovered.Credit: Adobe Stock

I’ve just been to Palau (Traveller, June 24), where Nauru Airlines now does affordable direct flights from Brisbane and I’d say go, before others find out how amazing it is. It’s so unspoilt it’s reminiscent of Bali or Thailand in the ’70s. The people are friendly and the (often Japanese-inspired) food is delicious. Palauan culture is fascinating and there is some incredible World War II history. There are few other tourists and no fast-food chains or highways. The snorkelling and diving are extraordinary. I highly recommend the friendly and professional IMPAC tours. As Palau is still a relative secret, you can get some great accommodation deals at short notice.
Rebecca McGowan, Yackandandah, Vic

Pillow squawk

When will Airbnb be made to take the “bnb” out of the name? On a recent trip to Europe we were disappointed at the quality of Airbnb properties. We paid decent amounts for our accommodation but there was no sign of any breakfast (or even a teabag) and in most cases the beds were unsuitable for sleeping with the so-called pillows not worthy of the name. The standards are too varied, the photos deceptive and the hosts mostly live elsewhere. We think it’s time to go back to the hotels with their star ratings and let the locals have their rentals, and their community, back.
Jacqueline Wilkes, Dolphin Point, NSW

Guiding light

My Central Asia Stans odyssey fulfilled childhood dreams of the Silk Road, ranging from the snowy jagged peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan and fabled Silk Road sites of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in Uzbekistan to the brilliant blues and greens of the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan. A shout out for the engaging and extensively knowledgeable Nazim Bogdalov, who led us through four of the five Stans. Despite his wide Central Asia repertoire, Nazim was not invited to guide us in Turkmenistan as our tour operator, Explore, declined to foot the bill for his Turkmenistan visa and expensive accommodation in Ashgabat. The local guide assigned to us proved distant and of a far inferior standard. Tour companies are reminded that travellers would happily foot the extra expense for a complex trip if it meant not chopping and changing personnel.
Joseph Ting, Carina, Qld

Not a scratch

Watch the walls – a detail of the pulpit of Igreja da Misericordia, an important baroque church in Evora, Portugal.Credit: Getty Images

Your article on Evora, Portugal, article (Traveller, July 6) brings back memories from 2023 when our group of six in a Mercedes Vito managed to squeeze through one of the tiny side streets just near the Roman temple. We did this with side mirrors folded in and some skilful driving, getting through with no more than about five centimetres each side. Beware some of these old towns where the streets aren’t as wide as expected.
Cameron Giacometti, Turramurra, NSW

Comfort of discomforts

Funny that when we travel overseas, we seek out things we have back home (Traveller Letters, June 29). We want sameness, but in exotic locations – top-notch gastronomy, wellness resorts, yoga, vegetarian/vegan food, laneway cafe culture, or coffee beans that you take along because the local version does not match Aussie barista style. This is fine, but it’s also good to sometimes swap comfort for chance, unpredictability and maybe a little discomfort too.
Michael Robertson, Kirrawee, NSW

Tip of the week: Narrows minded

Tidal rapids at Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park, British Columbia, CanadaCredit: iStock

When the bus driver asked our plans for our last day in Vancouver, Canada, he soon convinced us to change them. He opened our eyes to a natural phenomena only a ferry ride and short hike away. Skookumchuck Narrows, (meaning “Strong Waters”) experiences some of the fastest tidal rapids in the world, as billions of litres of seawater changes directions on each tide, squeezing through the rocky narrows, causing incredible turbulent rapids. Spectacular. My tip? Talk to the locals.
Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon, Vic

Hacked off

Readers should be aware that the Booking.com website has apparently been hacked. If you receive an email from Booking.com asking you to update your details, including your credit card, be wary. I’ve just received an email purportedly from a booked hotel via “[e-mail]”. The email directed me to supply that information within 24 hours. Within the scam email was a link to the original Booking.com “confirmation” with names, dates, price, and the like but with incomplete credit card details. A phone call to the hotel confirmed that they had not initiated the request. It seems that the scammers have access to information on the Booking.com servers. At the time of writing, Booking.com has not yet replied to my query about the matter.
Dan Dempsey, Oatley, NSW

Editor’s note: Scams involving Booking.com have become widespread in recent times, increasing sevenfold last year. Booking.com has previously denied its site has been hacked and says, rather, that some of its accommodation partners have fallen victim to phishing scams that have resulted in scammers getting control of the accommodation hosts’ computers and booking details. Read more about the issue here.

Hard fillings

I totally agree with Michael Nicholls’ comment (Traveller Letters, July 13) regarding the difficulty of filling jugs in hotel rooms. I’ve often filled mine by putting it under the shower, wishing there was someone there to take a holiday pic.
Coral Waight, Dandenong North, Vic

Tea crime

Michael Nicholls, the reason you cannot fill your hotel kettle at the sink is so that you give up and spend money in their coffee shop.
Ann Young, Chirnside Park, Vic

Pack mentality

Pack wisely for pack ice.Credit: Getty Images

Having recently returned from an extensive trip through Scandinavia and Europe covering nine countries, for which we needed to pack for the Arctic Circle as well as spring in Paris, I want to share three game changers that simplified our travel and made living out of a suitcase so much easier. First, packing cells – every time a bag was opened, everything was in its place so finding what you wanted was simple. Then, vacuum bags – bulky winter coats and clothes for the Arctic were substantially reduced in size and transported easily. Finally, Michael “The Tripologist” Gebicki’s advice – travel by train, he said. We did, from Bergen to Vienna. Cheap, comfortable and relaxing.
Brad Campbell, Redfern, NSW

The rite stuff

Alas, after our stop-go-stop ride from Bali airport to Legian (Traveller Letters, July 6), sightseeing (lovely driver aside) is not an attractive idea. “I never get sick,” I boast, while we drink bottled water, cocktails without ice, and eat in well-reviewed restaurants. Until my belly begins rumbling like Bali’s own Mount Agung, that is. My boyfriend fetches medicine and the hotel holds crisis meetings. “Rite of passage”, the waiter offers, when after three wasted days I order tea. I gaze at a lone woman swimming laps in ear buds and an enormous hat. Thank God for April rates.
Maggie Ferguson, Potts Point, NSW

Code red

Is it just me, or are others annoyed at the increasing practice of restaurants overseas (and even a la carte dining rooms on cruise ships) requiring patrons to use their phones and QR codes to access a menu? I would much rather hold and peruse a printed menu than scroll through a phone screen – and damn any restaurant excuses about costs, efficiency or hygiene.
John Evans, Glen Iris, Vic

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