I’ve travelled to the US for 35 years. My ESTA was revoked with out warning

We just lately travelled to Europe with Emirates and had been actually impressed with all facets of their faultless service. Unfortunately, on the best way dwelling we flew with Qantas codeshare on the final leg. The flight crew had been unbelievable, however that’s the place it stopped. Seats had been a lot smaller than the Emirates equivalents, virtually feeling like a home flight, and the meals choices had been nothing wanting substandard. Emirates presents a fundamental meal, a small appetiser, bread roll with a pat of butter, a scrumptious candy, cheese and crackers and a chocolate. By comparability, Qantas supplied a fundamental meal, a roll (no butter) and a pre-packed chocolate brownie. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Dolly Loppy, Richmond, Vic

Beagle eyed

I couldn’t agree extra together with your correspondent relating to the dehumanising and confronting therapy of travellers on arrival into Melbourne (Traveller Letters, July 12). The “line-up” of randomly chosen travellers for olfactory interrogation by beagles is excessive and the accompanying unfriendliness of the customs workers completely pointless. It’s uncomfortable sufficient for Melburnians returning dwelling, it should be fully bewildering for worldwide guests. What a horrible first impression.
Michael Wloszczak, Parkdale, Vic

Home candy dwelling

I, too, have just lately returned from just a few weeks abroad (Traveller Letters, July 12). I used the E-passport reader facility with path from an official, took the picture ticket, handed by the subsequent picture gate, had my passport and accomplished immigration kind in my hand, joined the nothing-to-declare queue and handed by rapidly. At all instances, the officers had been nice, environment friendly and even made time for fun with me. An awesome homecoming, Australia.
Barbara Grant, Castle Hill, NSW

Doha or bus

I agree with Trudi Jenkins’ evaluate of Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways (Traveller, July 15) besides that Doha’s Hamad International Airport [Qatar Airways’ hub] is a nightmare. Flying there from Madrid final month we had been bussed for not less than 20 minutes across the tarmac, then set free someplace with no apparent path to an exit, which I wanted to entry for my one-night stopover in a miserable Doha lodge (on particular from Qatar Airways).
Dennis Altman, Clifton Hill, Vic

KLIA is AOK

I’m shocked to learn of travellers having issues with the arrivals course of at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport. For my a number of current flights there, I registered on-line for a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) the day earlier than my flight. At immigration, I adopted the well-marked lanes for MDAC holders, scanned my passport, stared on the digital camera and walked out the opposite aspect. No issues, no human interplay and no delay. Because it’s a huge terminal, the stroll to baggage declare generally is a bit lengthy, however it’s properly sign-posted.
Ken Christensen, Wangi Wangi, NSW

Peek viewing

The most fascinating facet of peeking by the keyhole at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, as referenced in your information to the Seven Wonders round Rome’s Tiber River (Traveller, July 15), is the truth that you’re standing in Italy taking a look at, firstly, Malta beneath the Lateran Pacts [recognising both the Vatican City and the state of Italy]. Three international locations for the value of 1.
Peter Price, Southbank, Vic

Just masks

In response to the letter “Plane unwell” (Traveller Letters, July 12), on a current journey to Japan my husband and I wore N95 masks contained in the airport, on the airplane and on trains in the event that they had been very crowded. We additionally made positive that our flu and COVID-19 vaccines had been up-to-date and often used hand sanitiser – primarily all of the issues realized all through the pandemic. Wearing a masks would possibly look unusual, but it surely works. There had been many unmasked folks coughing and sneezing on the flights, however we remained wholesome.
Ann Roberts, Shepparton, Vic

Bot or not

Anyone else had hassle getting previous AirAsia’s bot to assert a credit score? If there’s no-one at dwelling to reply the telephone, why ought to they count on any extra of my cash?
John Mester, Clunes, NSW

Road rave

I needed to chuckle once I learn in your story that New Zealand was one of many locations the place cruising is taken into account the most suitable choice for journey (Traveller, July 12). While I do agree that crusing by Milford Sound is a must-do in New Zealand, which you are able to do on a day cruise, the suggestion that “you could drive around Aotearoa”, however to be “freed from the wheel” is healthier, is sort of laughable, when driving there may be so economical, scenic and really easy, and attention-grabbing locations to remain some time are such comparatively quick distances aside. A 15-day fly-drive vacation for 2 in New Zealand, travelling from throughout the Tasman, would price half the per-person worth of the marketed 15-day cruise in your article. It’s actually a no brainer.
Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW

Tip of the week: Stripe me fortunate

I’ve simply returned from a two-week self-drive vacation with pals round Namibia (“Driving force, driving farce”, Traveller on Sunday, July 6). As metropolis drivers, it was nice to be on the quiet open (gravel) roads in such a good looking nation. Every day there have been many “I wasn’t expecting that” moments: zebra visitors jams, giraffe crossings, rhino and lion recognizing and essentially the most breathtaking surroundings. Etosha National Park, Palmwag, Skeleton Coast and kayaking with child seals in Walvis Bay had been just some of the highlights.
Annemarie Casey, Woolwich, NSW

Passing ideas

A rail move for journey in Europe could seem a big outlay to begin, however when you plan your journeys it may be such a handy saving. Using a first-class Eurail Pass to journey in Northern Europe and Scandinavia meant I may journey lengthy distances: Oslo to Cannes or Finland and Amsterdam to Munich. Swiss Rail passes and Britrail passes are additionally nice. The backside line is to plan your primary journey after which a rail move allows you to discover aspect journeys.
Marjie Williamson, Blaxland, NSW

In too deep

With the rising concern for staying wholesome when overseas, I recall our Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor earlier than the Arab Spring, and remembered how firmly we had been warned to not swim within the river because of the danger of schistosomiasis (often known as bilharzia), a parasite that may penetrate the pores and skin and trigger critical long-term sickness. That warning appears much less outstanding immediately, maybe as a result of trendy travellers, particularly from Western international locations, usually resist recommendation that restrict their freedom or spontaneity. The want for immersive “authentic” experiences generally overrides warning. After all, if locals swim, why shouldn’t we? While tour operators could not need to dampen the spirit of journey, dangers don’t fade simply because we select to not hear them.
Jonathan Breedon, Prahran, Vic

Tight squeeze

I just lately returned from a visit to Europe. Outward, the lengthy leg of 12-hours plus hours was on Lufthansa with the return lengthy leg with Swissair. I’d suggest neither as a consequence of cramped situations and lack of, or minimal, space for storing. The shorter legs on Singapore Airlines had been an amazing enchancment.
Ann Bowditch, Chelsea Heights, Vic

Putting the “age” in protection

I’ve been an American Express Platinum cardholder for a few years and loved the journey insurance coverage that comes with that card. Indeed, my late spouse suffered a cardiac episode in rural France in 2010 necessitating each floor and helicopter ambulance, a five-day keep in hospital in Tours, abandoning a visit to Spain and staying an additional 10 days in France earlier than being flown dwelling accompanied by a cardiac doctor. All lined. However, two years in the past after which over 80 however with no life-threatening situations, I checked my Amex journey insurance coverage to seek out I used to be now not lined nor may I pay a premium to be lined. I used to be instructed that 80 was the cut-off level and regardless of being wholesome, no cowl. Had I been 79 with a cardiac situation, most cancers and diabetes, not an issue and totally lined.
Les Aisen, Elsternwick, Vic

The Letter of the Week author wins three Hardie Grant journey books. See hardiegrant.com

The Tip of the Week author wins a set of three Lonely Planet journey books. See shop.lonelyplanet.com