Letters: Sailing on the Queen Elizabeth

Reading about the new Queen Elizabeth ocean liner [“Where Comfort Reigns,” by Beverly Beyette, Jan. 23] brought back memories of the time during World War II when American troops sailed across the Atlantic on the first Queen Elizabeth. There were 15,000 troops on board, and we ate twice a day.

My favorite spot was high atop the ship looking out over the ocean and the blue skies. We landed in Scotland, moved by train to England, and then headed across the English Channel to France. Our 106th “Golden Lion” division arrived by truck on the French-Belgian border just before the start of the celebrated Battle of the Bulge on Dec. 16, 1944.

Kenneth Larson

Los Angeles

Cruising guide far from ‘ultimate’

As a loyal subscriber, reader of the Travel section, cruise buff (and cruise writer), I was shocked when I opened the Travel section that was labeled, and hyped during the week, as the “Ultimate Guide to Cruising,” only to find two actual cruise pieces, one weird piece on the Erie Canal and nothing at all remotely reflecting a “guide.” There’s nothing wrong with that, but don’t call it the “Ultimate Guide to Cruising.”

Patti Pietschmann

Los Angeles

A stress-free river cruise

We took our first river cruise in October, going down the Elbe from Potsdam, Germany, to Prague with Nicko Tours. We will never go on an ocean cruise again. Never!

The river-cruise ship and its crew were lovely. The food was excellent. No money-grabbing extras at every turn. The port cities were interesting with their city centers only a few minutes’ walk from the ship. No lines, no waits, no water taxis, no rip-off taxicabs and no costly land tours. The entire trip was stress- and noise-free, with only 50 other passengers. All this and more, for the best cruise value we have ever encountered.

Ernest Salomon

Santa Barbara

Writer’s close call with a coconut

I am so glad that the falling coconut missed Susan Spano [“Drop in, Drop Out,” Jan. 16]. Once again she has brought us a story that makes us feel as though we made the journey with her. And, of course, Spano’s description of the water while snorkeling brought it home.

Richard Mason

Redondo Beach

Padaung women’s neck rings

Regarding the Your Scene photo, Jan. 16: Padaung women wear rings around their necks to make them longer like birds’ necks. They believe they are the descendents of Keinayi-Keinaya, mythical humans who had wings and could fly like birds. These creatures were said to be beautiful.

Khin Saw Nyein

Monterey Park