Traveller Letters: So impressed by a driver’s scam, I let him keep the money

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Michael Gebicki certainly hit the target with his story on holiday scams (Traveller, September 20). I’ve encountered all those he mentioned – and usually survived them. A more challenging trick was when my wife and I were going out for dinner in Prague, when an anonymous-looking man approached us near the restaurant, briefly showed a card and a flashy badge of some sort, and said: “I am police, we are doing identity checks, please show your papers.” This sounded improbable, so I directed my wife into the restaurant in case it got difficult, and told him to stop bothering us and go away. Nothing more was seen of him (I would have liked to check his badge and card, but that may have prolonged the encounter).

One reader was impressed by a rickshaw driver’s note swap in India.Credit: iStock

More enjoyable was the Indian auto-rickshaw driver who turned a 100-rupee note into a 10-rupee note with such skill that I readily agreed with him, feeling that the trick was so well done that it was worth the small amount involved (and he probably needed it).
Warren Miller, Denistone, NSW

Letter of the week: The late show

One reader’s return from Townsville proved problematic.Credit: iStock

Michael Gebicki’s excellent prognosis of flight delays in Australia (Traveller, September 14) and the lack of incentives for airlines to run on time, hit the spot as I arrived home four hours later than expected from Townsville. The Qantas subsidiary plane arrived late, something Qantas told me about an hour before departure. But did they book me on the first flight after my missed connection in Brisbane? No. And then the second possible connection left 45 minutes behind schedule, meaning my expected arrival in Sydney at 17.40 in fact occurred at 20.30. Admittedly, the captain on this flight did regret our late departure, but Alliance Airlines obviously expected to run late, because not a word of apology was offered on the Townsville flight. Roll on the ombudsman; even better, bring on EU regulation 261 as an incentive for Qantas to make an effort.
Jeremy Eccles, Clifton Gardens, NSW

Happy new year

The European Union not only provides compensation in the air (Traveller Letters, September 21). When we were delayed in a French train en route to the snow last New Year’s Eve, most of our train fare was returned to us which covered a rather expensive taxi ride high up into the Alps.
Mark Latchford, Seaforth, NSW

To no a Vail

Further to Matthew Richardson’s letter of the week regarding Vail Resorts and their ski resort operations around the world (Traveller Letters, September 21), may I offer some alternatives? I skied at non-Vail resorts in Japan and in New Zealand this year, as well as at the non-Vail Charlotte Pass resort in NSW. I can recommend exploring these options as being better value for money all round. Japan in particular had better food, value-for-money traditional guest houses, much better snow and far cheaper lift tickets. I now avoid Vail-owned resorts as a rule.
Taariq Hassan, Rosanna, Vic

Overbooked but not overlooked

Once when flying with Royal Brunei I was made an offer I could not refuse. In a long line at Heathrow Airport was a flight attendant weaving her way towards me. On arrival, she said, “look we are overbooked. Can you fly tomorrow?” She then offered me $600 in cash, an upgrade to first class, airport lounge access and an overnight stay in a five-star hotel across the road. I added that I was in a band and would need to phone Australia regarding my gig. I was allowed unlimited international phone calls from my room and unlimited access to the hotel buffet. A $600 reimbursement was a lot of money back in 2004 with the only downer being a two-hour wait to get my bags off the plane.
Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South, NSW

Treasure trove

I was reminded by your story on shopping around the world (Traveller, September 21) how my carefully placed or hung souvenirs around my home transport me back to the moments when I discovered my unique treasures. For me, it’s all about exploring the backstreets on my travels, to discover something authentic and possibly one-off. That finds me trawling through second-hand shops, flea markets and even garage sales. These treasures often need reframing or a good spruce-up, but my heart certainly skips a beat when I pause and reflect about the unique experiences I had finding them.
Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon, Vic

No to nostalgia

The September 21 edition of Traveller Letters contained 10 letters. Three were about bumping into people overseas, one was about travelling in a Kombi in 1974 and, incredibly, one was about the destruction of a travel guidebook long ago. None of this would be of any value to those of us wanting to travel today. Forget the nostalgia and keep it topical.
Patrick Hennessy, St Kilda, Vic

Top this

Further to your reader letters about coincidences during our travels (Traveller, September 21), in the late 1990s I was in Rome scurrying between the main railway station and bus terminal when I heard a voice call out “Topolino supreme, hold the olives, hold the anchovies”. Recognising this as my weekly pizza order, I turned around to see the manager of the pizzeria near where I lived in Brisbane, who had recognised me on the other side of the world, despite us previously never having seen each other anywhere but inside his pizzeria.
Julian Gauld, Broadbeach Waters, Qld

Tooth be told

In Trichy, Tamil Nadu, a city seldom frequented by visitors to India, I was in hospital, semi-conscious after a hotel fire. My husband Michael, himself injured, dealt alone with many fraught issues. Then, one day we heard a familiar accent. My lovely home-town dentist, in India on volunteer work, visited ICU and heard another Australian was there. It was a burst of sunshine amid grim, worrying days. Her emotional and practical support (even as far as Vegemite) was beyond price. We no longer felt alone.
Julie Marsh, Armidale, NSW

Bangkok for your buck I

Your story on shopping was notable for the old-world-centric choice of major European cities such as London, Paris, and Milan as offering the world’s best shopping. I am sure they are wonderful cities for shopping, but I would throw Bangkok into the mix for something different.

Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, one of the world’s most vibrant cities.Credit: iStock

Bangkok features the incredible Chatuchak Weekend Market, fabulous department stores (with amazing food halls for sustenance and as an added bonus), and energetic night markets. Throw in Chinatown, day or night, and the Thai capital offers a heady shopping experience, with the added bonus of being a lot closer to home.
Jerome Otton, South Melbourne, Vic

Bangkok for your buck II

One big deterrent to vacationing in Australian cities is the exorbitant price of accommodation (Traveller, September 24). A standard room in a five-star hotel in a local city would set me back at least $300, breakfast not included. For around $200 a night, often much less, I can get a fabulous hotel room, including a sumptuous breakfast, in a city such as Bangkok. Yes, I need to stump up the airfare, but I get to experience a different culture, one of the world’s most vibrant cities and superb food, also at relatively reasonable prices. Sorry, but Hobart or Perth just isn’t going to give me that.
Ross Duncan, Potts Point, NSW

Tip of the week: Catalonia confidential

Book in advance for a guided tour of Park Guell.Credit: iStock

Architect Antoni Gaudi’s influence in Barcelona leaves an indelible impression. During six memorable days in June, we immersed ourselves in art, architecture and fascinating Catalonian history. Our tips for the best value short stay – plan well ahead, avoid peak season and heavily touristed areas; save money by staying outside the city near a train station. The bonus for us was contact with a local family providing tips and advice. Invaluable. Book two to three months in advance for tours of Park Guell and Basilica de la Sagrada Familia to avoid missing out – and include a tower tour for spectacular city views. Free Walking Tours Barcelona represents excellent value.
Andrea Wittick, Mt Eliza, Vic

London frown

Given it had been six years since my last London stay, I had hoped to fully enjoy a five-day stay in one of the world’s best cities. Two days in, as we navigated back to our Airbnb in what I believed to be the reasonably safe suburb of Chelsea, my husband’s mobile was snatched from his hand by a man on an electric bicycle. We became victims of a crime that is, according to social media, now happening every six minutes. What a way to spoil a stay.
Robyn Holland, Tallai, Qld

Editor’s note: You’re certainly not the only victim of this increasingly common crime in London. One of our own writers, Belinda Jackson, also had her phone stolen in the city. You can read about her experience here.

With reservations

A family trip to the city in June, with a first game at the MCG for a footy-mad grandson, sounded like a great idea. However, just like another reader (Traveller Letters, September 21), when booking on what I thought was the website of a Melbourne Southbank hotel, the US-based guestreservations.com fleeced me well and truly. After a stressful 48 hours of emails and local and overseas phone calls, trying to cancel, with all efforts cleverly batted away, I ended up paying $2731 for a basic, tired, two-bedroom apartment for two nights. Beware this website, the tricky contact details on emails and their no-nonsense, heavily accented (and well-rehearsed) call centre staff. Do not believe anything they tell you, in writing or otherwise. Kind local hotel staff tried their best to assist. I find it surprising that any Australian hotel would allow an association with guestreservations.com
Vicki Love, Inverloch, Vic

Editor’s note: This website, along with some others, has come to Traveller’s attention in recent weeks. We’ve taken a look at the issue in this article.

Into Africa

One of Africa’s stars.Credit: iStock

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your recent Africa stories as we had returned from our unforgettable African trip only days earlier. Some destinations are made for experiences that feed the soul. Melbourne’s Experiential Travel – specialising in, and passionate about travel to Africa – tailored our trip to suit our travel style, desired destinations and budget. The personal service we received went above and beyond, even regularly touching base with us on our travels. Our itinerary included beautiful accommodation and the most amazing adventures in Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The real stars were, of course, the wildlife.
Rita Ciavarella, Eltham North, Vic

All Greek to me

As we board the huge ferry from Santorini to Paros, I am overcome with emotion as I remember my first overseas adventure in 1977. I meet two Swiss girls on my kibbutz and we travel around Mykonos, Paros and Naxos. Now I am back here with my husband and, although the memories have faded somewhat, the light remains the same and takes our breath away. I now know the meaning of the word “phosphorescent”. I read The Greek Islands by Lawrence Durrell and listen to Leonard Cohen. I reflect on life on the islands and how lucky we are to live on a big one!
Rhoda Silber, Manly, 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