3 days ago
6
Each week Traveller publishes a selection of rants, raves and travel tips from our readers. See below on how you can contribute.
Standard malpractice
My wife, who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), experienced unacceptable treatment travelling alone with Air Canada. We had pre-booked an extra legroom bulkhead seat (not an exit row) for a long-haul flight, which is a physical necessity due to her condition. We cannot afford a seat in a higher class. Upon check-in, the seat was reassigned to a standard one, despite her presenting proof of disability. During the flight, the lack of space caused her severe pain, muscle spasms, and distress. She received minimal support from the cabin crew.
The mismanagement continued upon arrival in Sydney when airport staff left her, unwell and unable to use her phone, unattended. She was also left a significant distance from her walking frame. This incident led to a hospital visit due to potential stroke-like symptoms or an MS relapse. The experience highlights serious concerns about consumer rights, airline accountability, and the inadequate support for passengers with disabilities.
Scott Russell, Wollongong, NSW
Letter of the week: Medi banking
I tripped over in Lyon, France, recently, requiring a hospital visit by ambulance. Interestingly, the ambulance team would not take me to the hospital until I had paid them. In agony on a stretcher in the back of the vehicle, my accompanying daughter thought the fee they were asking was €650 ($1160). We didn’t have that in cash and their pay machine wasn’t working, so they went past the hospital in search of an ATM. In broken French and English, we finally worked out the cost was actually €150 ($270), which I did have in my wallet and paid.
Finally, we made it to emergency, and I would like to add that the ambulance team was lovely with the efficient hospital staff doing a great job. In all, including X-rays, it cost about $1000. We had to stay an extra night in Lyon as I needed to keep my leg straight, but hopefully all will be covered by the must-have travel insurance.
Jo Crowley, Gem Road, Cowra NSW
Spending a penny
I was giggly, then disappointed, as I read Marjie Williamson’s letter (Traveller Letters, September 20) stating she was upset paying a (small) coin to use the facilities overseas. This is absolutely standard and pays for good maintenance and cleaning, often with a man or woman on site which also can be a reassurance if you need a nighttime visit when out and about after dinner. By the way, as a 15-year blow-in, the use of the word “toilet” is specific to Australia, and I was quite shocked it was used when I first emigrated as it is considered a deeply vulgar term in Europe and the UK. That Australians don’t use bidets is another discussion altogether.
Victoria Watts, Tarragindi, Qld
Spending a euro
Marjorie Williamson draws attention to the need for a local coin for entry to a toilet cubicle when overseas. We were in Italy on a Tauck tour this year and were impressed twice: In Bellagio we were told to buy a coffee and use the cafe facilities, as public toilets were few and far between. To facilitate this, we were each given €5 for the coffee. And in Milan, at the cathedral, we were directed to the public toilets and each given a €2 coin for the entry turnstile. Thank you, Tauck, for your attention to detail.
Hugh Anderson, Millthorpe, NSW
Nepal after the pall
I was one of only four guests in the 72-room Landmark Forest Park Hotel in Nepal’s stunning Chitwan National Park last week, after mass tourist cancellations due to the now past public order incidents in Kathmandu. Despite government advice to “reconsider travel”, I arrived late on September 11 to a near-deserted Tribhuvan International Airport in a city under curfew. Order had been restored and – while many buildings and vehicles had been damaged – there were no further public order incidents. However, staff said bookings were down by at least 40 per cent. My nephew’s wedding to a local woman was significantly curtailed by the restrictions, but among those who did come were many friendly, clever people passionate about reform but suffering the fallout of negative media coverage.
Jo Elliott, Castle Hill, NSW
A bit on the side
When I returned a rental car to Avis at Palermo Airport in Sicily, the employee who inspected it pointed out a scratch on the side mirror. Despite sending a photo to Avis to disprove their accusation of damage, I noticed three days later $606 had been deducted by Avis from my bank account. I filed a dispute, with support from UP Bank and Albert Park Travel, who had booked the car for me. After seven weeks of email argy-bargy, Avis finally returned the $606 to my account. Always photograph every panel of your hire car and be persistent with any just claim you have.
Bill Wiglesworth, Castlemaine, Vic
Ronda view
In Spain, we used local intercity buses, which were a cheap, easy and comfortable mode of transport. We can understand Karl Quinn’s enthusiasm to get to Ronda, Spain (Traveller, September 17) having spent a few days exploring this historical and scenic town, from walking the gorge, going down into the inner chambers of the Puente Nuevo (new bridge), clambering along the Old Town walls, visiting a number of private museums and taking in the spectacular views from parapets of the Inglesia de Santa Maria la Mayor church.
As we visited in late December, there were few tourists, and by early evening, we literally had the town to ourselves, along with the residents. Accommodation, at a 17th-century converted convent, was quirky, comfortable and inexpensive, whilst restaurants were not crowded, making each evening’s dining experience unrushed and enjoyable. Ronda was just one of the memorable highlights of our lengthy stay in Spain.
Glenn Earl-Peacock, Mosman, NSW
Yuan cry
Brian Johnston didn’t mention “reverse haggling” in his Savvy Traveller article (Traveller, September 24). This happens when you only have a day left in a country, and you realise you vastly over-estimated how much foreign currency you would need. “How much?” “One hundred yuan.” “No, no! I’ll give you two hundred.“
Graham Meale, Boambee East, NSW
Just asking
Many years ago an Australian friend who lived in Turkey for most of her life said the best approach when haggling is to ask “What is your best price?” I’ve tried this and it works. It’s both polite and successful.
Jennifer Dewar, Double Bay, NSW
Take a leaf
In regard to the letter, “Under disgrace” (Traveller Letters, September 20) about not having a kettle or cups in a hotel room: On a recent tour of the five Stans, 10 of the English travellers had cups, tea bags and a kettle in their luggage. Problem solved.
Stephen Trevarrow, South Brisbane, Qld
Tip of the week: No regrets
Ben Groundwater nailed it in his piece on dumb things tourists do (Traveller, September 12), when he referred to haggling. It reminded me of an experience I had as I strolled across the bridge from Zimbabwe to Zambia. A delightful young man struck up a conversation and offered me some lovely copper and wire bracelets. As he showed me his wares, we spoke of Australia and his life in Zimbabwe. I paid $30 dollars for two of his bracelets, only to find three for $10 across the border. Did I care? No. We have so much and every time I wear my piece of Zimbabwe, I remember that delightful young man and hope he is well.
Maree Harrison, Nerrina, Vic
Latitude with attitude
I must respectfully disagree with Ben Groundwater about not using paper maps when travelling (Traveller, September 12). We have been let down by Google Maps and an in-car GPS in Scotland and in France, and have been saved by paper maps on each occasion. Even on the way to Phillip Island Google Maps comes up with some clangers. Sure, I often use Google Maps, but I like to supplement it with paper maps as I get a much better sense of location with respect to the general area.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster, Vic
Bumbag steer
As usual, Ben Groundwater is spot on with his comments about how to make your trip more enjoyable (Traveller, September 12) and yes, I managed to rack-up many errors on my first overseas trip. The only item I disagree with is wearing a bumbag or similar. When I wore one under a loose shirt, it gave me more of a feeling of security than a shoulder bag. It is not always possible to leave main valuables at the hotel. And, definitely, see Australia first. We have such a varied country – enjoy it.
Marjie Williamson, Blaxland, NSW
Three’s a crowd
I recently booked a hotel in Monterosso with booking.com. It then booked the hotel through a third party. I booked and paid in advance for a seaview room with a balcony but upon arrival, my booking was for an inferior room with no seaview or balcony. I was shown my booking for a standard room on a spreadsheet. I’d paid an extra $75 a night for five nights in the seaview room. Who pockets this $375? Not me, not the hotel. This is a scam and apparently has happened a number of times with this hotel. I contacted booking.com’s customer service agency and was told that there was nothing it could do, as it had gone through a third party, and hung up. My contract was with booking.com. Not good enough. Do not book accommodation when there is a third party involved.
Carol Gibson, Maroubra, NSW
Back to Yack
I’m still trying to find an Australian motel to beat the Yackandandah Motor Inn. For a couple of days, the Victorian town of Yackandandah is a genuine alternative to staying in Beechworth. It has two whisky distilleries, a fantastic pub (the Star), plenty of walks, and it is an easy 20-kilometre drive to Beechworth and the local wineries. Where else would you have your windscreen washed by the proprietors after a great night’s sleep in a pristine room? If you do a road trip in that part of the world, I highly recommend it.
Andrew Brown, Sydney, NSW
Free plugs
What motel is the best in Australia? It’s a no-brainer: these days it has to be one that has an EV charger or two on site.
Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW
Winging it
For us, travel is never pre-planned to last detail. If we’re fly overseas, we book our main flights and the first night of accommodation and then wing things and see where we end up. No fixed plan, route or itinerary means we can be totally flexible and explore off the beaten track wherever our fancy takes us. Seeing where the road takes us and stopping for the night wherever we end up, have been great adventures. After all, it’s true what they say: it’s the journey not the destination.
Christopher Schaub, Terrey Hills, NSW
EDITOR’S NOTE: Planned or unplanned? Or a bit of both? What’s your preferred approach to trips and the rationale for it? Contact us (details below) and we’ll publish the most interesting answers and advice.
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
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