Instant relief

I suppose reader Brendan Jones (Traveller Letters, April 6), who nearly choked on the advice to pack a prescribed antibiotic, has never suffered a urinary tract infection while travelling? In a pre-trip oversight, I failed to fill the prescription supplied by my doctor and found myself on a cycle tour in Europe with that exact issue. After trying several unhelpful pharmacist remedies I had to navigate the German medical system to get the antibiotics I should have taken from home. I had almost instant relief. I could have avoided three weeks of discomfort had I packed those antibiotics.
Margie Joyce, Richmond, Vic

Bogan begone

I was disappointed by the comment by Anthony Dennis (Traveller, April 6) in his “From the editors” note that the Brisbane 2032 Olympics risked becoming the “Bogan Games”. In Australia we already have enough culture wars without the use of the word “bogan”. It was particularly galling when further reading “Affronted by waterfront” (Traveller Letters, April 6) in which the reader states he was “confronted by many homeless people sleeping rough” on the Auckland waterfront.

In Australia in our “modern first-world” cities, as well as in rural and remote areas, we are constantly confronted by those who do not have a place to call home, as we face growing inequity. Perhaps the overspending on one-off events like the Olympics, would see our taxes better spent by upgrading our already very numerous sporting facilities, and thereby having money left over for more affordable and social housing.
Robyn Kilpatrick, Wonga Park, Vic

Missing link

We made the most of our time in the Harbour City with our return trip to Melbourne to have been aboard NSW Trainlink’s XPT leaving Sydney at 7.40am and arriving in Melbourne at 6.30pm. The rain gods did not see it that way, but we were delighted to see the train was still scheduled to depart at 7.40am. Then the announcement, due to flooding near Picton, that the train would be delayed and we finally left one hour late. Twenty minutes later the driver told us there was a tree across the track and it was being removed and then later another tree, another delay. At Wagga Wagga our driver finally announced we were three hours late and the train would finish at Albury where we would complete our journey on coaches.

Arriving in Albury, when we should have been going through Melbourne’s outer suburbs, we boarded a coach for the four-hour trip. As I sat near the driver, I noticed the bus had 984,000 kilometres on its speedometer and, while the engine was fine, the suspension had seen better days, making for an uncomfortable journey. I don’t believe NSW Trainlink really worry about the Victorian portion of the trip.
Allen Perry, McKinnon, Vic

Tip of the week: Unmatched Machu

The view I’m thrilled to remember (Traveller, April 7) was not just because it was spectacular and the image I’d seen countless times before, but for the life-changing experience of getting there. Four days, three wonderful nights hiking Peru’s Inca Trail, culminating with a 3am start to arrive early at the Sun Gate and for lucky hikers like us, our first mystical view overlooking Machu Picchu before the day-trippers arrived.

That’s 43 kilometres of mind-blowing scenery, conquering three Andean passes, trudging thousands of steps linking ancient ruins, enjoying meditative moments resting our bodies among the clouds, all the while being cared for (and swiftly overtaken each day) by our superhuman porters.
Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon, Vic

No grain, no gain

I am reading Michael Gebicki’s “Ask the Tripologist” column reply to the question about travelling in South Australia (Traveller, April 19) while sitting enjoying the magnificent scenery at Ikara Wilpena Pound. To Michael’s advice, I would add a visit to the clearly underrated Yorke Peninsula, if you want to travel along the Silo Art Trail with its great walks and great pub food as well as historic walks and beautiful buildings.
Glenice Brant, Eltham, Vic

Honk for Honkers

Tom McGinness’ conscience (Traveller Letters, April 6) won’t allow him to travel to Hong Kong due to China’s brutal crackdown on dissent there. Such an attitude only serves to punish the poor Hong Kong residents and businesses that rely so heavily on tourism. I will continue to visit and spend my money there to support the lovely Hong Kongers.
Michael Wloszczak, Parkdale, Vic

Let’s get this Strait

There is another way to explore the Greek islands (Traveller, April 5) aside from cruise ships. Public ferries run from the major ports and all islands are served. Some are fast ferries; most are roll-on, roll-off. On a typical journey a boat will serve several islands, backing onto a wharf apron, offloading cars and passengers, loading a new lot and then departing. Some of our discarded Bass Strait ferries became Greek ones (I’ve done a selection of routes).
Roderick Smith, Surrey Hills, Vic

All that jazz

Bar Country is an oasis away from the frenetic energy of Osaka, Japan’s neon-lit, Dotonbori nightlife precinct. Established in 1952, there are only 13 bar stools, which redefines the concept of a small bar. Soft jazz drew us in and the second-generation owner, Ryoichi Uneda, warmly welcomed our party of six, as we shook off the evening’s rain and settled in. Dressed in his formal attire, with black bow tie and black vest lined with commemorative pins, this engaging gentleman gave us his full attention. The 2000 varieties of whisky were stacked ceiling high, precariously balanced on chairs and spread across the floor area. Don’t worry if you’re not a whisky drinker, though, many cocktails are available including a mean G&T.
Sally Spurr, Lane Cove, NSW

Black star

My wife and I flew business class with Jetstar to Bali (Traveller Letters, April 13) and also have praise for the flight experience. However, we are now at day five without one of our bags containing essential medications and other necessary items and, although we ring the Bali Jetstar lost baggage number daily, they keep telling us that the bag is still “being traced”. They do not have the professional courtesy to respond to emails and do not provide any advice unless we contact them ourselves.

The first of the two bags arrived two days after our arrival and it now appears that my wife’s bag will find its way to the baggage equivalent of limbo and be cursed to spend eternity on the great hereafter carousel. We’ve now incurred significant costs for clothing and other essentials which can’t be claimed against Jetstar until the expiry of 21 days and only with the provision of receipts for all items.
Paul Barnes, Wollongong, NSW

Bounding back

We were delighted to see so much regrowth in the Flinders Chase National Park, after the devastating fires four years ago on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Now there is an abundant koala and bird population and many rebuilt walking tracks. The huge new visitor and information centre is just about to open and there are many stunning white sandy beaches and delicious wineries to visit. Well worth a week’s holiday.
Jane Matthews, Blackburn South, Vic

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