Letters to the Travel Editor
Deep disappointment After reading the letter about Aitutaki [“Letters to the Travel Editor”, Travel, June 20], I felt it necessary to give a little more information on snorkelling in Aitutaki. We have been keen snorkellers in the Pacific for the past 45 years. We have had Aitutaki on our “to do” list for years, understanding it was a real treasure experience. We went last year and it was very disappointing.
Around the shore there was minimal low coral and weed was the main view (the island was not managing its sewage well). We saw some patches of low coral and a couple of white bleached coral — probably eaten out by the crown of thorns starfish we saw in the area. There was a huge number of small black sea slugs.
What saved the snorkelling from a disaster was our trip into the lagoon. We were taken to an area where they have fed and tamed three or four large groper. Having these fish swimming an arm’s length away was a truly beautiful experience. Again, the surrounding coral was unimpressive.
We have seen this change in the coral around Treasure Island in Fiji over the years, with the change of ownership. Beachcomber, the neighbouring island, has remained under the same management for the past 35 years and is amazing. Both islands have been in an area declared a “marine reserve” since 1973. Ruth Schell Some snorkellers have been disappointed by Aitutaki; super jewellery shop Molten, in Brisbane. Captivated by Jerusalem I wanted to write to congratulate Deputy Travel Editor Stephanie Holmes on her piece on Jerusalem [ “Where pilgrims tread”, Travel, July 11]. I have been there four times, most recently last year. I am captivated by the city. I am Jewish, but I know even for nonJews or those with no roots in Judaism, it can be a very spiritual experience.
I think Stephanie summed it up very well and her style of writing was beautiful. It makes me yearn to go back.
The true tragedy of Israel is that most people know it only from the conflict with the Palestinians and the media portrayal of the conflict. They see it in very black and white terms. It is so much more complex and multifaceted than that, and Jerusalem for the most part provides a wonderful example of co-existence between Arabs and Jews, as well as many other peoples. Stephanie portrayed all that brilliantly. Juliet Moses Visa rip-off Re the ESTA United States visa ripoff [“Letters to the Travel Editor”, Travel, July 11]. I received an email from a site with ESTA in the address and also made the mistake of thinking it was the official site, and got a big shock when I received my Mastercard statement. However, I was advised by my bank to copy all relevant documents and apply to Mastercard for a refund of the overpayment which I duly did. Many thanks to Mastercard for coming to the party and providing a refund (subject to a possible appeal, which did not happen). It is interesting that the unauthorised site had the details of my ESTA application expiring on the correct date and, of course, my email address. I will now scrutinise all emails much more closely. Lois Wilkinson, Kerikeri