Ask Andrew
HEAR OUR COMPLAINTS My partner and l have launched a claim against a travel agency for failing to provide the correct information about visas in China. We intended travelling to China last year but could not cross the border from Hong Kong as we didn’t have the required documentation. Is there a travel agency ombudsman we can contact? — Mokhele Makhothi
You do need a Chinese visa to go from Hong Kong to mainland China as it is a Special Administrative Region. The same applies to Macau. If your agent booked your flight to Hong Kong and you then planned to travel further by land, he or she may not have known your plans if they did not book it. If they did book your onward travel, you have grounds to complain.
There is no ombudsman in the industry, but The Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) performs the role of dealing with complaints from the public. The association was formed in 1956 and represents more than 85% of the industry. You did not mention the agency concerned but ASATA includes most of the major companies, and will be able to help you. Contact ASATA on 0861 843 384 or e-mail: general@asata.co.za
SUPER SAN DIEGO My family and I are travelling to the US from December 19 to January 6. We are four adults who will be staying in San Diego for a week. I’d appreciate any suggestions or tips on places and things to see and do. — Gona
Govender
San Diego has wonderful beaches and parks and an interesting Hispanic cultural past. It hosted the Panama-California Exposition in 1915 and the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935. Many of the Spanish-styled buildings from those expositions remain as features in Balboa Park where it was held, and the huge park is perhaps the city’s main attraction. The San Diego Zoo is also a remnant of the first exhibition. The park also houses the city’s museums of Man, Art, Photographic Arts, Natural History, as well as the Model Railroad Museum, the Air & Space Museum and the Automotive Museum.
SeaWorld San Diego is another key attraction, and the USS Midway Museum is a maritime museum at the Navy Pier. The USS Midway was in service from 1945 to 1992, and opened as a museum in 2004. It is now the most popular floating naval ship museum in the world. You can do a self-guided audio tour which takes in just about all areas on board. There are also climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits, videos as well as flight simulators with an audio tour for children.
DOING DUBAI I am going to Dubai in January and intend staying for 24 hours to see the city. Some time ago Accidental Tourist featured an
older lady visiting Dubai on her own, as will I. Those words made me feel good about my decision, being of retirement age. One of the things I’d like to do is go to the Burj Khalifa for high tea. I would prefer to book tours in advance — will I be sure of getting what I have booked? Is it possible for me to leave my main luggage somewhere safe at the airport? — Hilary White
Dubai is very popular for transit and you can see a lot in 24 hours. It is safe, and there are not many ripoffs, except in the markets, so you should be fine with any tours that you book.
There are facilities at Terminal 1 and 3 where you can leave your luggage. Transport is simple as the Dubai Metro goes from the airport to anywhere you need to go. Buy the Silver Nol card at the ticket office and follow the signs, which are all in English.
The Burj Khalifa has overpriced facilities and is worth a visit only to say you have been up the tallest building in the world. Rather take tea on the Vivaldi Terrace at Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, which has a lovely view of the boats and offers refined service and lovely food.
If you are feeling adventurous, take the Metro to the Al Ghubaiba bus station, navigate to the Dubai Creek and walk along to the abra station. Take an old abra (water taxi that ferries people across the Creek), to the Deira side for R3.50 (AED1), which is the best way to see the lovely old part of the city. On the Deira side, walk around the spice and gold markets, then take a taxi to the Creek Sheraton, which is only 15 minutes from the airport.
Mall of the Emirates is an excellent shopping centre, home to the famous ski slope, while the Dubai Mall, next to Burj Khalifa, is the biggest of its kind.
The taxis are all metered and the drivers generally speak good English.