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| | | Holiday
in Japan | Dear
Editor:
I’d like to thank you for the help that you gave me before I left
Britain for my holiday in Japan. I was in Japan for almost seven weeks, from August
1 (my flight left Heathrow on July 31) until September 15. I spent most of my
time in Tokyo, staying in a Leopalace flat (rented by the month or week), which
was good value.I also went to Kyoto for four days. I hadn’t bought a railcard
in advance, but it worked out cheaper to get a package deal from a travel agent
there (bullet-train travel and accommodation in a ryoukan). I don’t know
if the travel agent could have spoken English; but my girlfriend is Japanese,
so she dealt with it.
My flight to Japan was as a courier. I flew on Virgin
Airways since British Airways only has a cheap price for a two-week holiday. For
longer than that, I would have been charged about £50 for every extra week.I
got to Heathrow four hours early, hoping to get everything sorted out (collecting
the tickets and meeting the courier agent) quickly and without problems. I had
to wait until three hours before take-off (the time I had been told to be there,
to be fair), since my tickets hadn’t arrived yet.
Once I got my tickets,
everything was simple. I was one of the first people into the departure gate,
and the agent was waiting for me there to give me the documents and inform me
that I wouldn’t be a courier on my return flight. On the plane, I started
off with a seat that didn’t have much leg room. I’m about 6’ 4”
and when I picked up my ticket, I was told that it was too late to ask for an
exit seat. On the plane, however, there was space in the exit seats so the hostesses
let me move to have more space.
In Narita, my suitcase seemed to be the
last one out (after all other passengers) for some reason. All of the staff could
see that I was the courier, and they seemed puzzled as to why I didn’t receive
my suitcase early. Once all of the packages were checked (relating to my documents),
I was free to enjoy my holiday.
On my return flight, I asked for an exit
seat when I checked in and I was given one. Both flights were direct (about 11.5
hours) and comfortable.
I had a fantastic holiday. Thanks again,
IAATC
Member: Rhys Evans |
| | Courier
Trip to Sydney | Dear
Editor:
I wanted to tell you about my courier trip so far. It took 48 hours
until I arrived in Sydney from Formby. I must have had the worst seat on the plane,
literally – it was next to the door and very uncomfortable – but I dropped
the documents off in Tokyo successfully. I only spent four days in Sydney, but
I managed to see a few sights such as The Opera House, the Harbor Bridge and Bondi
Beach, which was very disappointing.
After Sydney I spent five weeks in
Leeton fruit picking, which was an eye opener. The people I worked with were really
laid back and the work was easy. There were loads of wild kangaroos and dogs on
the farm, which I liked; they were very cute.I got bored with the country lifestyle,
so I hitched up to Melbourne. I was lucky; I managed to get a lift for a bottle
of wine (£4), which saved me some money and it was quicker than the coach.
I’ve
spent four weeks in Melbourne hanging out with James and Kelly. In brief, here’s
what I did in Melbourne: went to Chinatown, the Aussie rules match, Phillip Island,
Yarra Valley wineries, met some of the neighbors, and visited Ramsey Street. I’m
leaving for Adelaide in three hours.
IAATC Member: Alex Benson |
| | Beautiful
Issue | Dear
Editor:
I received my [June/July issue] and it’s beautiful throughout.
I am delighted with my article. Thank you for including your own photos with it
– good ones! I hope to contribute more articles in future issues. If I may
say so, I find “Shoestring Traveler” very easy to remember, and quite
clever. But I have a hard time (to be honest) recalling the name “Travel
Guide International” when looking for my folder. I think because it is so
generic, it doesn’t stick as well as “Shoestring.” Just my opinion.
IAATC
Member: Art Fazakas |
| | Many
Thanks | Dear
Editor:
Many thanks for two great publications, The Shoestring Traveler and
Travel Guide International. I travel a lot, so I always take my Recommended Lodgings
Worldwide guide wherever I go. Thanks.
IAATC Member: Carole F. Mackintosh |
| | Best
Travel Rag | Dear
Editor:
I cannot thank you enough for your information-packed and wide-ranging
Shoestring Traveler. This has got to be the best travel rag in the business –
and I’ve read them all. Crisp, concise, full information and exact prices,
including phone numbers and Web addresses.
IAATC Member: Mabel Macdonald |
| | Recommend
Shoestring Traveler | Dear
Editor:
A friend gave me a copy of The Shoestring Traveler. It was excellent
and I enjoyed it very much. We are writing an article about your publication in
our newsletter and recommending it to all.
IAATC Member: Ron Pilz | | |
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