Letters to the Travel Editor
Gone to the dogs Dear Sir, Just thought I'd get in touch to point out a small error in your recent article on Africa [‘In praise of hyenas’, Travel, April 11]. Hyenas aren't actually related to dogs. They're in the sub-order Feliformia and are more closely related to cats. Dave The Travel Editor replies: Okay — so I made a dog of it, no need to get all catty! Seriously, great fact — my favourite fact of the week, in fact. Thanks for sharing. Gone to the airport Dear Sir, I was wondering if you could shed some light into what’s going on at Auckland airport and with Air New Zealand.
The NZ126 flight is always delayed out of Melbourne — why? Arrive at midnight, 15 minutes for the skybridge to arrive, the electronic passport was not working, then to top it off 45 minutes for the luggage to arrive. Then another 30 minutes to get through the biosecurity queues (despite having nothing to declare). This is crazy at this time of the night after a big working day.
NZ288 from Shanghai arrives at 5.30am — there was no gate available so we were bused to the terminal, very third world. We went quickly through passport check, then spent another 40 minutes to get through biosecurity queues (again, with nothing to declare).
In my observation, Auckland Airport has allowed so many more flights and has not upgraded the number of gates to accommodate the growth, and the queues at biosecurity are insane for New Zealanders with nothing to declare. They really need to get into gear and sort it fast. The airport has spent millions of dollars on the food and shopping areas — good revenue collectors — to the detriment of more important things. Michele Wade, Auckland The Travel Editor replies: Few things in the world of travel are worse than landing at an ungodly hour and standing about in pointless queues. A special “nothing to declare” lane for Kiwis only sounds good to me. Gone to the bar Dear Sir, Last year, I wrote to your esteemed publication venting my feelings about business class bashing and I also dissed Air NZ and their business class. You responded with an invitation to continue the discussion in Emirates pub in the sky. I will be propping up the bar on EK435 to Brisbane May 15 and returning aboard EK434 on May 25. I will start without you. Also love the new format of A hyena is, we’re told, more of a cat than a dog. Got something to say? Send your letters to the Travel Editor to travel@nzherald.co.nz mostly Flight Check Omnibuses. Please continue that. Cheers, Lindsay Berridge The Travel Editor replies: ‘Esteemed’! Love it! Have one for me when you’re at the bar! We’ve let you down this week by running just one Flight Check. More omnibuses coming up.
Gone for a cruise Dear Sir, Readers need to be aware of the significant costs associated with brief cruise ship visits to China. We booked an extensive cruise around the Pacific Ocean. All the brief port visits in Asia have visas organised by the ship for usually no more than $25 but China requires a visa prior to departure. Well what a hassle and a cost. It was $425 for us both and we have as yet to go for an interview, which is required for my husband’s US passport. That means waiting in a queue that winds around the block outside. Not good for a 73-year-old with health problems. Had we known all this we would most definitely have chosen a cruise ship that did not visit China.
This cost and hassle is hardly worth a visit of only one short day in both Shanghai and Tianjin. You also have to give full details including health insurance. Despite this my passport was returned as, although I had completed their extensive form, they wanted copies of airline tickets and hotel accommodation despite my giving cruise ship details!
And finally, as a cost comparison you can get a US visa for the same price that is valid for multiple entries over 10 years and you can wait your turn inside. Patricia Dallas, Whangaparaoa The Travel Editor replies: I’d have thought a travel agent would have warned you about the visa hassles. Regardless, these are wonderful places to visit and I’m sure the journey will be worth the inconvenience. Gone with photos Dear Sir, Further to the comments about photographing bags and hotel room door, on a recent trip to Europe we also took photos of the outside of the hotel (with name) — easy to ask for directions if lost. As we were driving, we took a photo of our carpark number and the carpark building when we parked in cities.
We never got lost, but we appreciated the peace of mind. Linda, Browns Bay The Travel Editor replies: More top tips! Cheers for these!