Travelers' Intercom

From approximately AD 600 to 1200, step wells were built throughout India, especially in the drier western part of the subcontinent. A step well makes it easier for people to reach the water in a location as well as to maintain the well itself. Great spots to escape from the heat, step wells often became gathering places.

Some of these wells, such as the one pictured here, Chand Baori in Abhaneri, Rajasthan, include architectural features such as temples. WANDA BAHDE of Summerfield, Florida, snapped this picture of Chand Baori while on the “Heart of India” tour with...

I am a longtime subscriber to ITN, which I enjoy very much as I have been to 86 countries. I returned in April ’08 from a trip to Rome, San Marino, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

I even slept on a pad on the Saharan sand dunes under the stars. I am 83 years old and am quite crippled with arthritis, but those Tuaregs sure know how to take care of the handicapped. Of course, they had to lift me back up every morning.

This is a unique picture of me taken near the picturesque seacoast town of Essaouira, Morocco. Here we stumbled on to rare tree-climbing goats....

My friend Mary and I took the 15-day “Patagonian Frontiers” cruise-tour from Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA; 888/370-6765, www.odysseys-unlimited.com) in February-March ’08. After four days in Buenos Aires, we flew to Ushuaia, Argentina, and toured Tierra de Fuego National Park, then boarded the M/V Australis for 3½ days of calm sailing and fun Zodiac trips to islands, including Magdalena Island, where 200,000 penguins live. We then went to Torres del Paine National Park, where our hotel, Rìo Serrano, had a fantastic view of the rugged mountains. The weather was...