Latest news with #Traveller
The Age
17 hours ago
- The Age
We nearly lost our bags in transit, due to Qantas' poor communication
Device squad II Ken Fraser's experience with retrieving his iPad left on a Virgin flight contrasted with the time silly and sleepy me left my camera bag on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight some years ago. I reported the loss at the lost property desk in Buenos Aires, and within one minute the bag had been presented by an employee to me at the desk. No outsourced packaging company, no fee, no delay. Kevin Egan, Ascot Vale, Vic Only in Japan I enjoyed Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story (Traveller, June 14) with the accompanying photo of a Japanese bullet train being Doctor Yellow, a yellow shinkansen bullet train for maintenance and for the checking of the shinkansen lines. The photo brought back memories of our recent visit to the Kyoto Railway Museum. While there, a Doctor Yellow on the shinkansen line leaving Kyoto suddenly appeared with excited locals recording the passage of the train. In explanation, we were told that to see, let alone photograph, a Doctor Yellow, particularly in daylight hours, was considered good luck for the viewer. We hope that the photo of Doctor Yellow in Traveller will also bring good luck in the future. George Baias, Summer Hill, NSW Spin versus substance Kudos to Traveller and Lee Tulloch for asking the hard questions about sustainability in travel. Most of us know in our hearts that while travel deepens our humanity, it often comes at a steep environmental cost. Offsets are dubious and many green programs are more spin than substance. With ecological decline accelerating, small sustainable tweaks no longer cut it. As Ecotourism Australia's Elissa Keenan points out, slow, local travel is the way forward. Fortunately, Australia offers plenty of immersive, low-impact experiences with no passport required. Amy Hiller, Kew, Vic No sense I found Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story, containing advice from travel experts about reducing our impact on the destinations we visit, to be troubling in parts. For example, the expert who provided advice on visiting Antarctica could only recommend 'a less harmful way' to see this fragile ecosystem which encourages 'respect and interest in caring for the planet'. If all the ways to visit are harmful, which seems to be conceded by the expert adviser, how on earth does it make any sense to do this harm to care more? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW All exchange, please Nina Karnikowski's enjoyable Savvy Traveller column on taking an extended holiday (Traveller, June 14) missed two enormously savvy tips. First, sites like allowed us a month's free accommodation during the European summer: a week each in London, Madrid, Rome and Naples. You are out of town a bit, but we live like a local, and it's so good; Madrid even had a pool. Secondly, sites like have your house and pets looked after for the cost of amenities. We have used this many times with nothing but praise for our house minders who all come with references. Ron Thomas, Kalorama, Vic Tip of the week: Free and easy I've just returned from a fabulous tour of Sardinia, Italy, and Corsica, France, with Secret Italia Tours, a small-group tour company. Guide Paola and driver Sara were excellent and travelling with a small group of 16 was great. The itinerary was well thought-out – a mixture of cultural, historical, and artistic activities, from pasta-making to lunch in the vineyards, walking tours, visiting markets and museums. The meals that were included were of the highest quality. But the best thing was that every afternoon you were free to do whatever you wanted, or even to simply rest. There was no 'having to do something every minute of the day.' I would recommend this tour company if you are considering a tour to these two wonderful places. I had the best time. Susan Scully, Middle Cove, NSW Ready, settings, go To make your phone holiday ready, install an eSIM (electronic SIM, AIRALO), setup WhatsApp (to message home photos, videos and your whereabouts), learn to use Google LENS (to translate foreign language menus, signs and more) and Google Maps (to find places to visit/eat and navigate map-free). Install a banking app (to avoid using a hotel PC) for use with your travel money cards. Fully back-up/update your phone and set up the 'Find My' App on each iPhone/iPad and learn to use the iCloud. Tony Danino, Wheelers Hill, Vic Take a seat Regarding 'No reservations' (Traveller on Sunday, June 15), in addition to Paul Marshall's advice for snaring a restaurant reservation in Japan, I have another suggestion: the waiting chairs. You arrive about 30 minutes before you plan to eat, and write your name (and how many people) on a list at the front door. You may wish to go away and do something else while waiting if the wait is long, but it can be interesting and fun to sit on the waiting chairs and chat to your neighbour. You never know who you will meet; it's always an adventure, but be sure to learn some basic Japanese. This is a fair system that ensures you get your booking, and possibly a new local friend at the same time. Margot Pope, Five Dock, NSW Casbah none Algeria offers remarkable variety: Mediterranean coastlines, the vast Sahara, green wheat fields with red poppies, ancient Roman ruins, Ottoman landmarks, French colonial architecture, and the winding Algiers Casbah. Everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed as guests of the country. Roman archaeological sites and mosaics are especially impressive. The food blends French and local influences – baguettes, seafood, and excellent coffee are standouts. Roads, transport, and hotels are good and affordable. A visa is required but easy to obtain. Arabic, Berber, French, and English are widely spoken. I toured with BC Archaeology and the excellent local company Fancyellow Alger. Michel Hedley, Westgate, NSW Say cheese (and tomato) It was interesting to read Julietta Jameson's Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport Report review (Traveller on Sunday, June 15). I am now longing for a simple toasted cheese and tomato sandwich on brown bread and a milky coffee from the Wimpy. Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW With regrets It's 30 years since I visited the UK and my one regret is I didn't visit Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (Port of call, June 15). My maternal grandparents migrated from County Durham to Newcastle (Upon-Hunter) with Mum born in Adamstown (a suburb). Regrettably, the Novocastrian line was broken upon my birth in Gosford. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
We nearly lost our bags in transit, due to Qantas' poor communication
Device squad II Ken Fraser's experience with retrieving his iPad left on a Virgin flight contrasted with the time silly and sleepy me left my camera bag on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight some years ago. I reported the loss at the lost property desk in Buenos Aires, and within one minute the bag had been presented by an employee to me at the desk. No outsourced packaging company, no fee, no delay. Kevin Egan, Ascot Vale, Vic Only in Japan I enjoyed Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story (Traveller, June 14) with the accompanying photo of a Japanese bullet train being Doctor Yellow, a yellow shinkansen bullet train for maintenance and for the checking of the shinkansen lines. The photo brought back memories of our recent visit to the Kyoto Railway Museum. While there, a Doctor Yellow on the shinkansen line leaving Kyoto suddenly appeared with excited locals recording the passage of the train. In explanation, we were told that to see, let alone photograph, a Doctor Yellow, particularly in daylight hours, was considered good luck for the viewer. We hope that the photo of Doctor Yellow in Traveller will also bring good luck in the future. George Baias, Summer Hill, NSW Spin versus substance Kudos to Traveller and Lee Tulloch for asking the hard questions about sustainability in travel. Most of us know in our hearts that while travel deepens our humanity, it often comes at a steep environmental cost. Offsets are dubious and many green programs are more spin than substance. With ecological decline accelerating, small sustainable tweaks no longer cut it. As Ecotourism Australia's Elissa Keenan points out, slow, local travel is the way forward. Fortunately, Australia offers plenty of immersive, low-impact experiences with no passport required. Amy Hiller, Kew, Vic No sense I found Lee Tulloch's 'Doing it right' story, containing advice from travel experts about reducing our impact on the destinations we visit, to be troubling in parts. For example, the expert who provided advice on visiting Antarctica could only recommend 'a less harmful way' to see this fragile ecosystem which encourages 'respect and interest in caring for the planet'. If all the ways to visit are harmful, which seems to be conceded by the expert adviser, how on earth does it make any sense to do this harm to care more? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW All exchange, please Nina Karnikowski's enjoyable Savvy Traveller column on taking an extended holiday (Traveller, June 14) missed two enormously savvy tips. First, sites like allowed us a month's free accommodation during the European summer: a week each in London, Madrid, Rome and Naples. You are out of town a bit, but we live like a local, and it's so good; Madrid even had a pool. Secondly, sites like have your house and pets looked after for the cost of amenities. We have used this many times with nothing but praise for our house minders who all come with references. Ron Thomas, Kalorama, Vic Tip of the week: Free and easy I've just returned from a fabulous tour of Sardinia, Italy, and Corsica, France, with Secret Italia Tours, a small-group tour company. Guide Paola and driver Sara were excellent and travelling with a small group of 16 was great. The itinerary was well thought-out – a mixture of cultural, historical, and artistic activities, from pasta-making to lunch in the vineyards, walking tours, visiting markets and museums. The meals that were included were of the highest quality. But the best thing was that every afternoon you were free to do whatever you wanted, or even to simply rest. There was no 'having to do something every minute of the day.' I would recommend this tour company if you are considering a tour to these two wonderful places. I had the best time. Susan Scully, Middle Cove, NSW Ready, settings, go To make your phone holiday ready, install an eSIM (electronic SIM, AIRALO), setup WhatsApp (to message home photos, videos and your whereabouts), learn to use Google LENS (to translate foreign language menus, signs and more) and Google Maps (to find places to visit/eat and navigate map-free). Install a banking app (to avoid using a hotel PC) for use with your travel money cards. Fully back-up/update your phone and set up the 'Find My' App on each iPhone/iPad and learn to use the iCloud. Tony Danino, Wheelers Hill, Vic Take a seat Regarding 'No reservations' (Traveller on Sunday, June 15), in addition to Paul Marshall's advice for snaring a restaurant reservation in Japan, I have another suggestion: the waiting chairs. You arrive about 30 minutes before you plan to eat, and write your name (and how many people) on a list at the front door. You may wish to go away and do something else while waiting if the wait is long, but it can be interesting and fun to sit on the waiting chairs and chat to your neighbour. You never know who you will meet; it's always an adventure, but be sure to learn some basic Japanese. This is a fair system that ensures you get your booking, and possibly a new local friend at the same time. Margot Pope, Five Dock, NSW Casbah none Algeria offers remarkable variety: Mediterranean coastlines, the vast Sahara, green wheat fields with red poppies, ancient Roman ruins, Ottoman landmarks, French colonial architecture, and the winding Algiers Casbah. Everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed as guests of the country. Roman archaeological sites and mosaics are especially impressive. The food blends French and local influences – baguettes, seafood, and excellent coffee are standouts. Roads, transport, and hotels are good and affordable. A visa is required but easy to obtain. Arabic, Berber, French, and English are widely spoken. I toured with BC Archaeology and the excellent local company Fancyellow Alger. Michel Hedley, Westgate, NSW Say cheese (and tomato) It was interesting to read Julietta Jameson's Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport Report review (Traveller on Sunday, June 15). I am now longing for a simple toasted cheese and tomato sandwich on brown bread and a milky coffee from the Wimpy. Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW With regrets It's 30 years since I visited the UK and my one regret is I didn't visit Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (Port of call, June 15). My maternal grandparents migrated from County Durham to Newcastle (Upon-Hunter) with Mum born in Adamstown (a suburb). Regrettably, the Novocastrian line was broken upon my birth in Gosford. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook, NSW
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Chris Stapleton's Career-Making Hit Returns To The Charts
Chris Stapleton's 'Tennessee Whiskey' reenters Billboard's Streaming Songs chart at No. 47 and the ... More Global 200 at No. 200, nearly a decade after its release. NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Chris Stapleton is seen performing on the NBC "Today" Show Citi Concert Series at Rockefeller Plaza on September 27, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images) After spending years as a vocalist in several bands, Chris Stapleton decided to break out on his own and launch a solo career, which proved to be one of the greatest decisions in country music history. In the spring of 2015, he released Traveller, his debut solo album. The country world took notice, but it wasn't an immediate commercial smash, and none of the singles from the project became instant hits. Everything changed when Stapleton joined Justin Timberlake on stage at the Country Music Association Awards in November of that year. The two delivered a now-legendary rendition of the classic "Tennessee Whiskey," and Stapleton finally broke out, becoming the star he remains today. That track is still his most successful tune, and this week — nearly a decade after its release — it returns to multiple Billboard charts. "Tennessee Whiskey" Continues to Chart After Nearly a Decade Amazingly, "Tennessee Whiskey" ranks as one of the 50 most-streamed tunes in the United States this week. The cut reenters the all-genre Streaming Songs ranking at No. 47, earning its ninetieth stay on the tally. It has previously climbed as high as No. 16 throughout the years. The fact that a nearly 10-year-old cover is still competing with heavily promoted releases from today's superstars speaks to the magic of Stapleton's version. Chris Stapleton Returns to the Billboard Global 200 American consumption of "Tennessee Whiskey" was strong enough to push the song back onto the Billboard Global 200 as well. That ranking, which uses sales and streaming activity from all around the world to show what humanity is listening to each week, welcomes Stapleton's classic back at No. 200. The track has only ever reached as high as No. 175, but it's worth noting that the Global 200 was launched several years after "Tennessee Whiskey" was first released. Chris Stapleton Earns a Long-Running Streaming Hit "Tennessee Whiskey" also appears on the Country Streaming Songs chart, where it remains a top 20 success — 414 weeks into its tenure on the list. The track, which was never officially released as a single, remains a favorite among country music fans and may never fully disappear. Stapleton performs even better when looking at his albums. Three full-lengths by the Grammy winner appear on a trio of Billboard rankings apiece, and in nearly every instance, they're on the rise.
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26trim%3D0%2C0%2C0%2C0%26crop%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Pressure mounts on Scottish Government to apologise for 'Tinker Experiment'
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pressure is mounting on the Scottish Government to formally apologise for the 'Tinker Experiment'. Gypsy Traveller communities have been campaigning for a formal apology for more than 20 years for the years-long social experiment to 'settle' travellers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The experiment began in the 1940s and saw families forced to leave their lives on the road for settlements after being threatened to have their children removed and taken into care. A traveller family pictured near Pitlochry in 1958. | TSPL Many were then deliberately housed in substandard and overcrowded accommodation in sites across Scotland. Traveller communities are now hoping First Minister John Swinney will issue a formal apology. He is due to make a statement in Holyrood on the 'Tinker Experiment' on Wednesday. Shamus McPhee, who describes himself as Nacken, grew up in the former Bobbin Mill site in Pitlochry in huts which had no electricity or heating. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He told The Scotsman: 'This was a crime against humanity and we have been campaigning and lobbying for over 20 years. It has been dragging on and I don't think that is helping anyone's physical or mental health because we've been suffering for such a long time. 'An apology would only be a positive thing for our community.' However, he said he would be 'surprised' to see the Government issue an apology due to years of being 'shunned' by those in positions of power. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said the 'Tinker Experiment' was still ongoing across Scotland. Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said this should be a 'great shame of Scotland's past', but was still 'very alive and normalised'. She said: 'We see discrimination against these communities in our schools and in our social services, with many people I've spoken to being refused services because their way of living is deemed unsuitable and is misunderstood. 'If we're serious about addressing the prejudices faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across Scotland, the Scottish Government needs to apologise for the Tinker Experiment - something which caused such harm to so many children and families. People have been waiting far too long.'
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ten things I learnt on my first visit to India
I'm anxious about my first visit to India. Faced with its vast scale, history and humanity, its crowds, poverty and colour, I'm determined to channel Judi Dench's intrepid, open-hearted character from Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Evelyn Greenslade. I fear, however, that I will quickly turn into Penelope Wilton's uptight and unadventurous Jean Ainslie, who soon flees back to her less challenging English homeland. My apprehension increases when I hear that even Traveller's resident Tripologist and Indophile, Michael Gebicki, has succumbed to illness while there, despite more than 20 visits. What hope is there for a first-timer like me? The journalist visa process is a frustrating jumble of red tape and clunky websites, and my first (domestic) flight is booked in the wrong direction. It feels like the universe is warning me not to risk it. I'm travelling with a small group on a brief yet unquestionably luxurious journey to Rajasthan with Abercrombie & Kent. The flight from Melbourne to Delhi is jam-packed with members of Australia's Indian diaspora, regarded as the nation's most successful. There are crying babies, pungent wafts of curry and a handful of passengers ignoring (or not understanding) the attendants' instructions to remain seated after landing, resulting in frustrated yelling from said attendants. It seems like another sign of the chaos that's undoubtedly to come. As we land at Indira Gandhi airport, I help a family laden down with bags and toddler paraphernalia until they get to passport control, where we part ways. But later, as I emerge with my own luggage into the arrivals hall, their young daughter spots me in the crowd, runs over and gives me the biggest hug – and suddenly I begin to understand the warmth of India's welcoming embrace. Here are some other things I learnt.
