On our guard in Europe, we still fell for a classic thieves’ scam

Ruffled feathers

A gentle warning about a classic scam that still exists overseas. During our recent five-week trip through three European countries, we diligently kept ourselves aware of potential pickpockets, scammers and similar, particularly in crowded places. With only two days left of the trip, we were enjoying a delightful morning stroll, through the quiet botanic gardens in Madrid, feeling pleased with our successful, safe holiday. As a seemingly friendly couple approached us, we were suddenly hit by bird droppings, with the couple commiserating with us and helping to clean the mess from our shirts, pants and hair. With the shock, distraction and fussing, they cleverly and swiftly, took my husband’s wallet (in his front pocket) and withdrew his Visa card, returning the wallet to the original pocket. A small amount of money was used before we realised the card was stolen or even thought to check the wallet and then lock the card. Kudos to ING for the calm and efficient handling of an annoying, embarrassing situation.
J. Ryan, Ringwood North, Vic

Letter of the week: Life lessons

Paul Marshall’s article (Traveller, November 12) brought tears to my eyes. As a teacher for over 40 years, I know what he says is true. It is not textbooks that teach you about life. The best life lessons come from travelling and making connections with people who experience life differently. He is right to point out that “people all over the world are essentially the same” and that the only thing that matters is “the content of your character”. And yes, I also struggled with crossing roads in Vietnam, but soon learned that stepping out confidently and moving at a steady pace is definitely the safest way to negotiate the roads and life in general.
Lynne Vero, Ascot Vale, Vic

Braking point

I was on a Lufthansa flight from Venice to Frankfurt with a tight transfer for a flight to Dubai. We were delayed a little on departure, so everyone was anxious about making their flights. However, as soon as the plane touched down, passengers immediately started standing up to access overhead lockers. Despite the calls from cabin crew to sit down until the plane came to a stop at the gate, the passengers ignored their calls. The captain then stopped the plane and said he was not moving the plane until everyone took their seats and had fastened their seatbelts. Eventually, we reached the gate and I made a mad dash for my connecting flight to Dubai. I made it with minutes to spare. Some people never cease to amaze me.
Jehanne Lambourne, Lane Cove, NSW

Poor (plat)form

I recently used Agoda to book an overnight stay in a Sydney hotel. I paid $359 to Agoda for the booking. On checking out I asked for a copy of my invoice and was shocked to discover that the total room charge was $270. Agoda’s explanation for the $89 difference was that this represented “Agoda’s service and platform fees”. There was no indication that Agoda would charge such a fee nor any indication as to how such fees and charges were calculated. Agoda rather pathetically said that they would pass on this exchange to their partner and hotel teams to help improve transparency. I won’t be using Agoda again.
John M. L. Woods, Toorak, Vic

Food for thought

The quality and quantity of in-flight meals provided in economy class has been in serious decline for decades (Traveller, November 11), especially as more and more airlines outsource components of their catering to smaller, niche manufacturers. The trend away from substantial meals towards an increasing variety of in-flight snacks is really an act of sleight of hand. An endless supply of salty, fatty or sugary treats is provided to increase the perception of good customer service, whilst reducing the quality of main meals. The amount of garbage generated is huge and the carbon footprint is monstrous. Time for airlines to return to home-style food, preferably served on a tray with reusable utensils and crockery.
John Mizon, Collaroy, NSW

No surprise

Airline food is an easy complaint (Traveller, November 11), but with many people wanting to spend the bare minimum flying, airlines have to cut costs to remain competitive, so why should anyone be surprised at the consequences? And perhaps meals on flights three hours or less should be an optional extra, paid for at the time of ticketing by those who want them.
Brendan Jones, Annandale, NSW

That’s the spirit

Qantas staff deserve to be commended for the exceptional care they provided my wife before our flight to New Zealand recently. Immediately upon being asked what assistance might be available to my wife who had broken her ankle two weeks before our trip, staff soon provided her with a wheelchair and a friendly assistant to transport her to our plane. Hats off to you, Qantas.
Tony Strahan, Springwood, NSW

Refreshing change

Anyone who has travelled has likely accumulated some “loose change” along the way with a couple of US dollars here and few Euros there (one can only imagine how many millions are in drawers throughout the world). Recently, I found what now appears to be an obvious solution. When leaving your last port of call, head to the airport duty-free store and use any/all change towards your purchase and then put the balance on a debit or credit card. We did this recently at Johannesburg airport, buying some duty-free alcohol using all our remaining US dollars and South African Rand plus $5 Aussie to make up the balance. It got rid of all our change, plus it felt like a win.
Peter Ulm, Randwick, NSW

No battle with Alamo

As per Michael Gebicki’s column on hire cars (Traveller, November 8), we also recently rented a car in Spain (out of Barcelona and returned to Seville after 10 days). We also researched the normal rental-car options, and were somewhat worried by the vast amount of negative reviews evident online. Ultimately booking Alamo, via Auto Europe, we were careful to read and understand the various included insurances, optional insurances and the free insurance coverage via our credit card. While, suffice to say, it was time we’ll never get back, we were most pleasantly surprised upon collection of the car. The optional insurance was offered, declined, then never mentioned again. The agent showed us clearly (via a hand-held device) just what was/would be declared as damage and what wasn’t considered as such. We drove out happy and relieved that it was such a smooth process. Likewise, upon returning the vehicle to Seville, we did take photos and video of the whole car both times, just for our peace of mind, and if needed. We also received the security deposit back into our account within 48 hours.
Col Robinson, North Lambton, NSW

Nice and cosy

Oh Belinda Jackson, (Traveller, November 17) I couldn’t agree more with your tea article. I have a little teapot, complete with strainer insert and tea cosy, which has travelled as many miles as I have. I carry a good amount of tea – leaves, never a teabag – with me. I’m not a coffee drinker and my little pot is perfect for my 6.30am wake-up call. When arriving at baggage security in Samoa recently, staff were highly amused, laughing while showing my little cosy covered teapot to other staff. Yes, bring on the tea leaves.
Bee Herry, Kilsyth, Vic

Take a leaf

In support of your colleague Belinda Jackson, may I make a confession? Please don’t tell anyone, but for my last two overseas trips I took my own delicious loose-leaf tea, plus (and please keep this to yourself) a teapot.
Suzy Furness, Mons, Qld

Reader tip of the week: Pink fit

It appears that everyone who visits Singapore wants to sip a Singapore Sling – the famous gin-based cocktail – in the colonial splendour of the Raffles Hotel Long Bar. And fair enough. But being confronted by a queue of at least 100 fellow tourists waiting in the sweaty heat to get in really takes the edge off. If you are really determined to spend $S39 ($45) on a pink drink, you can do so in the hotel’s courtyard with no crowds, a pleasant garden setting and all the unshelled peanuts you desire. We did.
Steve Trumble, Aireys Inlet, Vic

Sounds of silence

A highlight of our wondrous Moroccan adventure was the Merzouga Desert Camp experience which magically fulfilled a lifetime wish to ride a camel across the Sahara. We also climbed the highest dune to witness, in extraordinary silence, the sun setting over the ever-evolving amber sands of time. We later savoured a delicious tagine while listening to traditional Gnawa musicians. As the night air cooled, we sat fireside sipping fresh mint tea under a galaxy of luminous stars and then slept dreamily in our spacious nomadic glamping tent with windows that opened out to nowhere and no-one. “Ahhh, the serenity…”
Melissa Bruce, Watsons Bay, NSW

Some do, some don’t

Ben Groundwater advises, “Get ready for the scanners” in his air travel etiquette story (Traveller, November 7). But how can one? Some airports require you to remove shoes, and some don’t. Some require you to remove a belt, and some don’t. Some require you to take your computer out of your bag, and some don’t. I have been sent back through the scanner for having a handkerchief in my trousers’ pocket. Until there is some uniformity, I’ll continue to do what I do know, which is to wait until I get to the scanner and, then, ask what I have to remove and what I don’t.
Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy, NSW

Trolley folly

Thanks for your recent story on air travel etiquette – it was a timely read. One recurring issue I notice on flights is passengers heading straight to the lavatory shortly after takeoff. Perhaps it’s triggered by the aromas wafting from the galley, signalling that food and drink service is imminent. The result? These passengers often find themselves stranded in the aisle, unable to return to their seats because the trolley service has begun, and the path is blocked. It begs the question: why not use the facilities before boarding?
David Hart, Leichhardt, NSW

Flat chat

Ben Groundwater identifies a bugbear of many travellers with the advice to leave your socks on when flying. Not being a fan of bare feet, or wandering around the aircraft in socks, for long-haul travel I bought a pair of slippers similar to ballet flats, which are comfortable to wear for the entire flight and suitably soled for bathroom visits. They fold to about the size of a pair of socks, go into their own sealable bag (to protect other items in hand luggage from germs), and are washed at their destination ready for the return trip. My pretty slippers have garnered the approval of flight attendants over the years. And yes, they do sell similar types for men.
Anthea Kenyon, Googong, NSW

Bound to happen

For travellers planning on using the ferry to access Kangaroo Island be aware that the service may be cancelled or delayed due to bad weather. On our recent trip we had booked on the 1pm crossing, but the morning crossings were cancelled and the first available ferry from Cape Jervis was at 3pm. Due to the backlog of vehicles (including semi-trailers) wanting to use the ferry we were initially told we could rebook for the 6am ferry the next morning. With accommodation already arranged on Kangaroo Island, the alternative was to be on standby, which we accepted. Fortunately, we were able to get on the 4pm ferry. Two points to note are that bookings have priority when ferries are cancelled and only four electric/hybrid vehicles are allowed on each ferry.
Lindsay Cooper, Brighton East, 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

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