We recently travelled to Europe with Emirates and were really impressed with all aspects of their faultless service. Unfortunately, on the way home we flew with Qantas codeshare on the last leg. The flight crew were fantastic, but that’s where it stopped. Seats were much smaller than the Emirates equivalents, almost feeling like a domestic flight, and the food offerings were nothing short of substandard. Emirates offers a main meal, a small appetiser, bread roll with a pat of butter, a delicious sweet, cheese and crackers and a chocolate. By comparison, Qantas offered a main meal, a roll (no butter) and a pre-packed chocolate brownie. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Dolly Loppy, Richmond, Vic
Beagle eyed
I could not agree more with your correspondent regarding the dehumanising and confronting treatment of travellers on arrival into Melbourne (Traveller Letters, July 12). The “line-up” of randomly selected travellers for olfactory interrogation by beagles is over the top and the accompanying unfriendliness of the customs staff totally unnecessary. It’s uncomfortable enough for Melburnians returning home, it must be completely bewildering for international visitors. What a terrible first impression.
Michael Wloszczak, Parkdale, Vic
Home sweet home
I, too, have recently returned from a few weeks overseas (Traveller Letters, July 12). I used the E-passport reader facility with direction from an official, took the photo ticket, passed through the next photo gate, had my passport and completed immigration form in my hand, joined the nothing-to-declare queue and passed through quickly. At all times, the officials were pleasant, efficient and even made time for a laugh with me. A great homecoming, Australia.
Barbara Grant, Castle Hill, NSW
Doha or bus
Doha – time on the tarmac.Credit: iStock
I agree with Trudi Jenkins’ review of Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways (Traveller, July 15) except that Doha’s Hamad International Airport [Qatar Airways’ hub] is a nightmare. Flying there from Madrid last month we were bussed for at least 20 minutes around the tarmac, then let out somewhere with no obvious path to an exit, which I needed to access for my one-night stopover in a depressing Doha hotel (on special from Qatar Airways).
Dennis Altman, Clifton Hill, Vic
KLIA is AOK
I’m surprised to read of travellers having problems with the arrivals process at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport. For my several recent flights there, I registered online for a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) the day before my flight. At immigration, I followed the well-marked lanes for MDAC holders, scanned my passport, stared at the camera and walked out the other side. No problems, no human interaction and no delay. Because it is a big terminal, the walk to baggage claim can be a bit long, but it is well sign-posted.
Ken Christensen, Wangi Wangi, NSW
Peek viewing
The view of St Peter’s Basilica as seen from the Aventine Keyhole in Rome – three countries in one view.Credit: Alamy
The most fascinating aspect of peeking through the keyhole at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, as referenced in your guide to the Seven Wonders around Rome’s Tiber River (Traveller, July 15), is the fact that you’re standing in Italy looking at, firstly, Malta under the Lateran Pacts [recognising both the Vatican City and the state of Italy]. Three countries for the price of one.
Peter Price, Southbank, Vic
Just mask
In response to the letter “Plane unwell” (Traveller Letters, July 12), on a recent trip to Japan my husband and I wore N95 masks inside the airport, on the plane and on trains if they were very crowded. We also made sure that our flu and COVID-19 vaccines were up-to-date and frequently used hand sanitiser – essentially all the things learned throughout the pandemic. Wearing a mask might look strange, but it works. There were many unmasked people coughing and sneezing on the flights, but we remained healthy.
Ann Roberts, Shepparton, Vic
Bot or not
Anyone else had trouble getting past AirAsia’s bot to claim a credit? If there’s no-one at home to answer the phone, why should they expect any more of my money?
John Mester, Clunes, NSW
Road rave
I had to chuckle when I read in your story that New Zealand was one of the destinations where cruising is considered the best option for travel (Traveller, July 12). While I do agree that sailing through Milford Sound is a must-do in New Zealand, which you can do on a day cruise, the suggestion that “you could drive around Aotearoa”, but to be “freed from the wheel” is better, is quite laughable, when driving there is so economical, scenic and so easy, and interesting places to stay a while are such relatively short distances apart. A 15-day fly-drive holiday for two in New Zealand, travelling from across the Tasman, would cost half the per-person price of the advertised 15-day cruise in your article. It’s really a no-brainer.
Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW
Tip of the week: Stripe me lucky
Zebra family in Etosha National Park, Namibia.Credit: Getty Images
I have just returned from a two-week self-drive holiday with friends around Namibia (“Driving force, driving farce”, Traveller on Sunday, July 6). As city drivers, it was great to be on the quiet open (gravel) roads in such a beautiful country. Every day there were many “I wasn’t expecting that” moments: zebra traffic jams, giraffe crossings, rhino and lion spotting and the most breathtaking scenery. Etosha National Park, Palmwag, Skeleton Coast and kayaking with baby seals in Walvis Bay were just a few of the highlights.
Annemarie Casey, Woolwich, NSW
Passing thoughts
A rail pass for travel in Europe may seem a large outlay to start, but if you plan your journeys it can be such a convenient saving. Using a first-class Eurail Pass to travel in Northern Europe and Scandinavia meant I could travel long distances: Oslo to Cannes or Finland and Amsterdam to Munich. Swiss Rail passes and Britrail passes are also great. The bottom line is to plan your basic trip and then a rail pass lets you explore side trips.
Marjie Williamson, Blaxland, NSW
In too deep
A felucca on the Nile in Luxor, Egypt.Credit: iStock
With the increasing concern for staying healthy when abroad, I recall our Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor before the Arab Spring, and remembered how firmly we were warned not to swim in the river due to the risk of schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia), a parasite that can penetrate the skin and cause serious long-term illness. That warning seems less prominent today, perhaps because modern travellers, especially from Western countries, often resist advice that limit their freedom or spontaneity. The desire for immersive “authentic” experiences sometimes overrides caution. After all, if locals swim, why shouldn’t we? While tour operators may not want to dampen the spirit of adventure, risks don’t fade just because we choose not to hear them.
Jonathan Breedon, Prahran, Vic
Tight squeeze
I recently returned from a trip to Europe. Outward, the long leg of 12-hours plus hours was on Lufthansa with the return long leg with Swissair. I would recommend neither due to cramped conditions and lack of, or minimal, storage space. The shorter legs on Singapore Airlines were a great improvement.
Ann Bowditch, Chelsea Heights, Vic
Putting the “age” in coverage
I have been an American Express Platinum cardholder for many years and enjoyed the travel insurance that comes with that card. Indeed, my late wife suffered a cardiac episode in rural France in 2010 necessitating both ground and helicopter ambulance, a five-day stay in hospital in Tours, abandoning a trip to Spain and staying an extra 10 days in France before being flown home accompanied by a cardiac physician. All covered. However, two years ago and then over 80 but with no life-threatening conditions, I checked my Amex travel insurance to find I was no longer covered nor could I pay a premium to be covered. I was told that 80 was the cut-off point and despite being healthy, no cover. Had I been 79 with a cardiac condition, cancer and diabetes, not a problem and fully covered.
Les Aisen, Elsternwick, 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