Airlines prioritise safety, except when it comes to choosing your seat

Dam it

David Whitley’s Hoover Dam article (Traveller, March 10) reminded me of the smaller, but no less impressive, Gordon Dam in South-West Tasmania. At 140 metres tall, it is smaller than the Hoover, but much thinner, only 18 metres thick at the bottom. Its strength comes from its curved shape. To access the top of the dam wall, you have to descend from the car park by walking down a series of see-through metal grate steps. Not for the faint-hearted.
Anthony Ransom, Tennyson Point, NSW

Power trip

Lauren Handelsman’s response to my letter on daily housekeeping in hotels (Traveller Letters, March 22) claimed that the environmental damage was done in my trip to Melbourne “by the mode of travel alone”. For the record, I’d like to point out that I drove my fully electric vehicle to Melbourne and back, using public chargers along the way that are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
Brendan Jones, Annandale, NSW

Of all the gin joints

I enjoyed the story on Casablanca by Anthony Dennis (Traveller, March 24) and his mention of Rick’s Cafe Americain, which this year celebrated its 20th anniversary on March 1. The restaurant was the accomplishment of my dear friend, Kathy Kriger, a former US trade commissioner, who fell in love with Morocco during a posting there. She left the service and then spent several years of toil and tears and battles with bureaucracy to recreate the film legend. She finally brought it to life in Casablanca in 2005. It’s a wonderful establishment that continues to thrive despite Kathy’s untimely sudden death a few years ago. Yes, Anthony, the menu is not Moroccan. The clue is in the name: Rick’s Cafe Americain. After being all “tagined” out during a Moroccan tour it can be a delicious change to enjoy the international menu at Rick’s.
Paul Adams, Balwyn, Vic

Kid you not

Reading Anthony Dennis’ article (Traveller, March 24) brought back fond memories of a visit to Casablanca in 2023, including dinner at Rick’s Cafe. What was not mentioned, probably because Anthony’s visit was from a cruise ship, is that modern Morocco still recognises the connection with the eponymous 1942 film classic. At the airport the sign on the wall behind passport control reads “here’s looking at you kid”.
John Moore, Braidwood, NSW

Johnny be bad

One more haircut overseas story (Traveller, February 19)... In 1984, while in London, I paid a lot of money for the worst haircut imaginable, so from then on, I decided to cut my own hair and became quite adept at DIY. But in 2017 in Turkey, while in Kusadasi en route to Ephesus and against my better judgment, I was persuaded by the street spruiker to have a €9 haircut. I was upsold and given the full treatment and about €23 and an hour later I met my wife at the cafe next door. She nearly fell over in hysterics, I had been given the full “John Farnham” cut, centre parting and all. No offence to John, but that was not my style. Needless to say, I’m persevering with the DIY.
Mario Mazzoni, Wollongong, NSW

Ho hum Ho Chi Minh

Recently returning home to Melbourne from Ho Chi Minh, we found the arrival process and passport control exceptionally improved. The staff were helpful with a smile and on hand for any queries. It was well-organised and we breezed through easily. Unlike our arrival into Ho Chi Minh which could only be described as disorganised chaos with informal queues and minimal staff. The nearly two-hour wait has not improved in a decade. Ho Chi Minh’s customs staff need to make a trip to Melbourne to see how it is done properly and efficiently.
Carley Pope, Mount Eliza, Vic

Cautionary tale

I agree with Michael Gebicki that India is amazing (Traveller, March 30), but readers should be cautious with water and food. I was unstuck by a milk-based dessert at our hotel, spending several days bed-bound instead of enjoying the pre-booked traditional boathouse tour in Cochin, Kerala. On our last day we relaxed and allowed our pestering six-year-old an ice-cream from a smart coffee shop. Back home in Adelaide he spent three weeks with severe diarrhoea (campylobacter and shigella) including three days in hospital where I thought he might die.
L. Matheson, Gordon, NSW

Incredible India

Michael Gebicki is 100 per cent correct. Before going on a recent trip to north-west India my wife and I were constantly asked “why would you want to go there? You will get Delhi Belly, it’s dusty and dirty, and you will be constantly harassed by beggars”. None of this proved to be true. Our tour guide summed it up best when he advised that “India is not a place for sightseeing, it is a place for experiences”. The experiences came at us from 360 degrees every day. The people, colour, noise, architecture and accommodation in former Raj palaces had to be experienced to be believed.
Bob Ellis, Breakfast Point, NSW

Tip of the week: Tender mercies

I still dream of the Kimberley, Western Australia, with its spectacular sunrises, sunsets, water reflections and ancient rocks. I was filled with awe by the tides at Horizontal Falls and the reveal of Montgomery Reef. I loved observing the diverse bird life, crocodiles, dolphins, sea turtles and even whales migrating south. The friendly Coral Expeditions cruise ship staff and diet-accommodating meals and tender and Zodiac access into remote areas far exceeded my expectations, as did the beach sunset drinks toasting yet another wonderful Kimberley excursion day.
Karina Davison, Glen Iris, Vic

Swiss miss

The best thing that can be said about Swiss railways is that they seem to arrive on time and depart on time. On a recent return trip from Geneva to Zermatt, on the outgoing journey in second class, the only luggage storage appeared to be in the train corridor or on vacant seats. After deciding at some expense to upgrade to first class for the return journey, on the initial stage from Zermatt to Visp the only vacant seats in first class were claimed by a woman sitting opposite who abused us when we tried to sit on them and refused to move her shopping bags. Instead of creating a scene, we moved to the adjacent second-class carriage where we had a cramped trip – although better than that of most people who were standing for 90 minutes. From Visp to Geneva airport, the first-class carriage was comfortable, but there was a sad lack of any luggage storage, the only space being on the top level of a double-decker carriage.
John Stewart, Bar Beach, NSW

EDITOR’S NOTE: While we can’t vouch for its reliability, the Swiss railways, like their counterparts in Japan, offer a passenger baggage forwarding service. Luggage is collected at your address in Switzerland and then delivered to your destination address two days later. A same-day express service is also available. See sbb.ch

Cherry bomb

Brian Johnston’s port guide to Lisbon, Portugal (Traveller, March 24) evoked a huge bout of saudade (Portuguese for a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia) for us as we relived our magical stay in the medieval town centre. A daily highlight was indulging in a post-dinner cherry liquor, Ginjinha, in tiny bars, standing around with locals soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.
Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW

Berth control

Brian Johnston’s story (Traveller, March 23), about getting the most out of a river cruise, might have included the value of requesting information about berthing arrangements. On a cruise down the Seine last year, our ship was berthed alongside another vessel on at least five occasions. Consequently, we were unable, for privacy reasons, to use our balcony (for which we had paid extra), and needed, also for privacy reasons, to keep our curtains closed at all times. I believe this practice makes the cost of berthing cheaper for the cruise company, which therefore has profited twice in the extra payment for unusable balconies and shared berthing fees.
Christine Harris, Hampton, Vic

Beauty spot

The city of Kanazawa on Japan’s central island of Honshu is an enchanting, beautiful place with a wonderful combination of history, food and architecture. When visiting, go to Oyama Jinja shrine and walk along the Asonagawa River. Find a lovely ryokan to stay at, such as Sumiyoshia, which is right next to the Omicho seafood market and near popular sites such as Kanazawa Castle Park and Gardens.
Lucia Piccioli Robinson, Newtown, NSW

Plastic not so fantastic

We have been overseas several times and at one time I had obtained a Qantas money card. The card has a small amount of money on it but has not been used for a few years. We are about to travel again so I decided to load some money on the card. When I went to my online account, I discovered my old card was superseded by a Qantas pay card. I was unsuccessful in applying for the new card online so I gave up after a time and phoned. Two days later, a new Qantas pay card arrived in the mail. I spent over an hour online and on the phone trying to follow instructions to activate the card, only to be told the card doesn’t exist – despite me having it in my hand. So I cancelled the Qantas card and applied for a CBA money card with no problems.
Bob Raine, North Wollongong, 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