Letters: Readers sound off over Brazil visas

A visa beef? The line starts here

There is a very simple solution to the “Visa Vexation” issue [On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, Oct. 3]: Don’t visit Brazil. If you are on a cruise line that has a port of call there, book another cruise. Do not plan to go to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil either. Maybe with the loss of hundreds of thousands in tourist dollars, they will figure it out.

Scott Snyder, Mission Viejo

I found Hamm’s response to the reader who complained about needing a visa for Brazil somewhat lacking. Is the reader going to boycott all countries that require visas? What arrogance. Many countries require visas, including Australia, which requires all visitors to have a visa, something that surprised me as a British citizen.

Dianne Gowder, San Pedro

On alert for birds, hunters

Great article by Joanna Corman on a story many don’t know [“ Sacramento Valley’s Birder Paradise,” Oct. 3]. The birds are truly spectacular sights to see in the fall and winter.

A suggestion: Corman should have indicated when hunting season opens. She didn’t mention that most of the areas she talks about allow waterfowl hunting. Many of your readers might find this a bit of a shock. And they might find it disturbing if they show up in the middle of the season, though I don’t believe hunting season has any effect on the accessibility of the areas open to bird-watchers.

You can get the season open and closing dates on the California Department of Fish and Game website at https://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/10-11-waterfowl-sum.html.

Jef Kurfess, Westlake Village

Bon voyage to a cruise line

It broke our hearts to read about Cruise West ceasing operations [“Cruise West Ends After a Long Run” by Jane Engle, Sept. 26]. One of the highlights of our lives was the two-week Alaskan cruise we took with it. It was a small ship, with just over 100 passengers being well taken care of by a wonderful crew. Comfortable cabins, open seating in a Victorian-style dining room, wonderful menu choices and entertainment provided by the crew and passengers. Most amazing were the opportunities to view all the beauty of Alaska. Thank you, Cruise West, for the wonderful memories.

Frank and Michelene Kelly, Topanga

Thank Dan Blackburn for turning me on to Valley of Fire State Park northeast of Las Vegas [“Going Into a Blaze of Glory,” May 9]. Because of his article, I took a ride up there on a Vegas getaway day, and wow, was I blown away. I took 250 pictures and am still scanning through them almost every day. I can’t wait till my next visit.

David Bosley, West Hollywood