Java historic sites spared in tsunami

MOST historic tourist sites on the Indonesian island of Java appeared to have been unaffected by a tsunami last week that swamped Pangandaran beach near Ciamis town and other nearby resorts and fishing villages on the southern coast, killing hundreds.

As of the Travel section’s deadline Tuesday, 379 deaths were reported from the giant waves, which were caused by an undersea earthquake, said Thamrin Bachri, deputy minister for international relations at the Indonesia Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Jakarta. In an e-mail, he said most beach resorts in the affected area were “extremely damaged,” including hotels and other facilities. The airport in Ciamis appeared to be undamaged, a local newspaper reported.

As of Tuesday, no Americans were reported among the dead. Nearly all victims were Indonesians, although a Pakistani, Swede and a Dutch citizen were among those killed, the Associated Press said.

Pangandaran, near a nature reserve, draws local beach-goers and some foreigners, but it is not well-known to Americans.

Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, is about 170 miles northwest of Pangandaran, and most of Java’s tourist attractions, such as the massive Borobudur Buddhist temple, are not in the affected area.

The U.S. State Department, citing security concerns, has a long-standing travel warning that advises Americans to avoid nonessential trips to Indonesia.

-- Jane Engle

Can’t go?

Have to work?

No problem

ACCESS America, a travel insurance company based in Richmond, Va., has added optional coverage for trips that are canceled or postponed because of work.

The program, called BizPack, reimburses travelers for deposits and other expenses when they cancel or interrupt trips because they are required to work. For $19 per adult, customers can add the provision to the company’s “classic” and “deluxe” comprehensive plans, which also pay if they cancel because of illness or other emergencies and, under certain circumstances, if they are laid off from their jobs. Info: (800) 284-8300 or www.accessamerica.com.

-- Jane Engle

Airlines add

new flights

SOUTHWEST Airlines on Oct. 5 will begin serving Washington Dulles International Airport. It will offer nonstop flights between Dulles and Chicago (Midway), Las Vegas, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa Bay, Fla., with connecting service to Los Angeles and 34 other destinations. One-way tickets from Dulles to Chicago, Orlando or Tampa Bay start at $79.

Alaska Airlines on Oct. 30 will begin nonstop flights between LAX and La Paz, Mexico, which will be the 10th Mexico destination it serves. One-way tickets start at $129.

-- Jane Engle

Yosemite road

to reopen

CALIFORNIA Highway 140 leading to Yosemite National Park, closed by a rock slide since late May, is expected to reopen soon, although full access may be months away.

A bridge is being built over the Merced River near the slide, about 10 miles west of El Portal, Caltrans spokesman Bob Boswell said Tuesday. After it is completed by the end of this month (an exact date has not been set), cars will be escorted into Yosemite on a six-mile detour in the morning and out in the evening.

A second bridge, targeted to open by Labor Day, will provide more regular access, Boswell said. Highway 140 between El Portal and the park remained open last week.

For updates, visit www.nps.gov/yose or look under “Ferguson Rockslide” at inciweb.org/incident/236, on a website maintained by Sierra National Forest.

-- Jane Engle

In brief

Versailles sights expanded: Visitors to Versailles now can see attractions related to France’s 18th century Queen Marie-Antoinette that are newly restored or had not been open to the public. The palace is selling separate tickets to the Marie-Antoinette estate, Petit Trianon, for $11.30 besides the general entrance fee of $10. The new ticket includes entrance to a small but luxurious theater that the drama-loving queen had built and the newly restored English Garden. Info: www.chateauversailles.fr/en/.

Top airlines: JetBlue Airways is the best-liked among low-cost carriers and Continental Airlines tops the list for “traditional” airlines, according to an annual survey of 9,334 passengers by J.D. Power and Associates and Aviation Week.

Frequent-flier changes: United Airlines’ frequent fliers can now redeem miles or points from their accounts for one-class upgrades on Asiana Airlines and Thai Airways. Starting Monday, they can do so on several other Star Alliance carriers.

--Staff and wire services