Travelers' Intercom

My husband, Stephen, and I had two days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, prior to boarding Oceania Cruises’ Insignia, so we hired a driver and also a guide, Monica Varela (phone 11/15 4407 0268 or e-mail monyliv@hotmail.com or varmonica@gmail.com), who was recommended in the guidebook “Frommer’s Buenos Aires” (third edition).

On Dec. 22, 2011, the first day of our private tour, at 1:30 in the afternoon on a residential street, Stephen was attacked from behind by two men. He was put in a choke hold, rendered unconscious and robbed of his watch. The attackers escaped when two more men on...

On a trip to Taiwan in 2001 I visited the Great National Treasures of China collection in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. It’s a mindblower. My eyes almost dropped out of my head! Here are many treasures of Imperial China that were saved by the KMT in 1949, spirited away from the Communists.

Only about 20% of the collection is on display. It ranges from prehistoric ceramics, ironwork and pottery to weapons and much more. There are the most beautiful paintings, porcelain and woodcarvings and especially the most spectacularly carved jade.

For me, the most unique...

When my grandson got married in November ’03, we promised to pay for his honeymoon (within reason, of course). He told me, “Grandpa, if you do that, we insist that you come along.” Somewhat unusual, to say the least, but we were honored. My wife, JoAnn, said she’d go anyplace as long as it was cool and unusual. I suggested Ecuador and agreement was unanimous. We set up the trip for April ’04.

We flew nonstop from Miami to Quito on LanEcuador, part of the LanChile group of airlines, on a Boeing 757. The flight was on time and cabin service was fine.

I had been to Ecuador twice...