TIP OF THE WEEK
VIETNAM EASE
I'd like to recommend Hanoi's new international airport, Noi Bai. Quick, clean and efficient, it's one of the best new airports in the world. From disembarking to meeting our hotel limo driver outside the airport took an amazing seven minutes.
There are no queues at immigration. You don't have to fill out those ridiculous "entry forms". Just show your passport and within seconds it is stamped. A word of warning however, Australians need a visa.
You can get one before you leave from the Vietnam Embassy, or you can get one on arrival, however, to do this you will need US dollars to pay for your visa on arrival.
The airport is spotless. Even the toilets have a nice view. Everything you need is within the terminal building and once you leave, a fast new freeway takes you right into Hanoi itself. Airports like Noi Bai make travelling internationally a sheer pleasure.
Congratulations to the people of Hanoi for doing it right.
Alan Bohlsen, Phuket, Thailand
CAPE OF GOOD TASTES
Brooke Walker, of Balmain, asked about good food in Cape Town (Tip-o-meter, February 12). Here are two very different places to eat.
Africa Cafe, 108 Shortmarket St. Cape Town (africacafe.co.za) offers a taste of many different types of food and the decoration of the cafe is great. We went in just for a coffee and went back at night for the dinner. Then there's the historic Mount Nelson Hotel (belmond.com/mountnelsonhotel) for high tea (book via email from Australia). It's a wonderful experience of how the other half live!
Margaret Irwin, St Ives, NSW
BARGAIN BRIGADE
We belong to the Affordable Travel Club. Based in the US, there are members scattered throughout the world. It costs nothing for an Australian to join. You must be prepared to occasionally host other travellers for a few days and provide breakfast.
The cost is $US20 a night. Members in countries other than the US may charge an additional US$10. Guests are encouraged to be away during the day so as not to interfere in hosts' day-to-day lives, and hosts to offer local knowledge to the guests. You need to be over the age of 45.
Pam Fichtner, Matraville, NSW
COLOMBO PLAN
When you arrive in Sri Lanka spend the night when you arrive (and before departure) at seaside Negombo near the airport. Visas are obtainable for the equivalent of $US30 online from eta.gov.lk. Flights are only occurring from 4.30pm to 8.30am until April 6 because of runway repairs (we were told to arrive at the airport five hours before departure but got through in one hour). I easily booked Sri Lankan airline flights through Webjet.
L. Fagg, East Geelong, VIC
