Breakfast club

Obviously people have had many good and bad experiences with taking food from hotel buffets (Traveller letters,May 20). I’ve found the best policy is to ask if I can take a piece of fruit for later. I’ve never been refused anywhere in the world. In many places they have asked if I want a croissant or bread and cheese as well.
Judith Rostron,Killarney Heights,NSW

Whilst staying at the gorgeous Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki/Mount Cook,New Zealand,the waiter at the breakfast buffet asked us about our travels. When we told him we were cycling the A2O – Alps to Ocean – route,he suggested we take a stash of their pastries for the journey. I also used my leftover bacon to take away a bacon sandwich for lunch. I figure I don’t eat half as much as some others who pile up their plates!
Angela Webber,Glen Iris,Vic

Faith restored

On a recent trip to New Caledonia,we arrived safely but our luggage did not. After waiting and waiting at the baggage carousel long after everyone had gone,we made our way to the baggage stand at Tontouta Airport. A very polite assistant took down all the relevant details and assured us it “would most likely turn up”. Without clothing and toiletries we practised our limited French the next day,buying just the essentials. Almost three days later,the luggage appeared,delivered to our hotel. I then received an email from Aircalin customer service,saying we could claim compensation (a miracle after the stories I have recently read about lost luggage). Receipts duly sent in,but not living in hope,several emails followed. We have now been reimbursed for the emergency supplies we bought. The staff could not have been more helpful,making a stressful time less of a strain. It restores my faith in airline travel. We did have travel insurance but have heard nothing from that company.
Jenny Occleshaw,Oakleigh,Vic

Cancel culture

I was booked on a Qantas flight from Sydney to Melbourne at 1pm on Sunday,May 21 which was cancelled three and a half hours before take-off without explanation. Qantas rebooked me on a 5.15pm flight which meant I missed my nine-year-old daughter’s first dance competition. It was a hard lesson but hopefully a good warning to others. Even if you are travelling with Australia’s biggest carrier between two of its major destinations,there’s no guarantee that your flight is actually going to depart. Leave plenty of time to get to where you need to be.
Sarah Nieuwenhuysen,Elsternwick,Vic

Domestic bliss

Fortunately,my experience of Sydney Airport was quite different to that of Andrew Hill (Traveller letters,May 20). On March 10 I was travelling with my wife from Vancouver to Melbourne with Qantas. From the aircraft’s touch down at Sydney,it took just 45 minutes to get to the departure gate for a Qantas domestic flight to Melbourne. That included clearing immigration,collecting our bags from the carousel,clearing customs,bus to the domestic terminal and domestic bag drop. Thank you,and well done Qantas and Sydney Airport.
Graham Kill,Frankston South,Vic