Message Center

Message Center

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Curacao Now

MY HUSBAND and I enjoyed Gary Lee's article on Curacao ["Curacao: On This Dutch-Flavored Island, Ill Winds Rarely Blow," June 4]. My husband has relatives there, so he has been countless times. Since we got engaged there in 1999, we visit every two years or so, and we know the island well. We have been to the beaches mentioned in the article, but would argue that those toward Westpunt (Kleine Knip, Grote Knip, Cas Abou and Playa Porto Mari) are not 20 minutes from Willemstad, but at least 45 minutes. Also, signage is not fabulous, so go with a map and directions.

One family-oriented beach close to Willemstad that we absolutely love is Jan Thiel Beach. It has a small water park that kids really enjoy. Unlike the two Knip beaches, the others mentioned above are private, and we far prefer those over the public beaches. For a small fee, you get cabanas and chaise longues to rent, clean restrooms and a cafe serving wonderful food and island-brewed Amstel and Heineken beer.

Monika C. Jansen

Potomac Falls, Va.

Embassy Helpfulness?

YOUR STORY about the helpfulness of the U.S. Embassy in London ["Blimey! Your Passport's Been Stolen! Now What?", June 4] was comforting. Unfortunately, such helpfulness does not extend to all American embassies abroad.

Last January my wife and I were in Sri Lanka intending to continue on to India, but there was a glitch with our Indian visa. The Indian embassy told us that it usually takes a week to resolve visa issues, but if the U.S. Embassy would make a phone call, it could be expedited. Optimistically, we walked down the street to the American Embassy. Not only did they refuse to help us, but they would not even admit us past the front gate.

It is hard to imagine that the advice tourists are given to register with embassies abroad would do much good if some embassy staff have so little interest in American travelers.

James Schulte

Ellicott City

PEOPLE SHOULD be aware that the U.S. Embassy may not always be of help. During a trip back to the United States a number of years ago, I renewed my passport. Upon my return to Ekaterinburg, Russia, I was told I was going to be deported, as the passport number in my multiple-entry visa did not match my passport. Prior to being locked up for the night to await my deportation flight the next day, I tried calling the U.S. Embassy, but no answer (later the embassy officer told me that he had turned off his cell that night so as not to be bothered). In the morning, when I got through to the embassy, I was told, "Yeah, that can happen. We can arrange for someone to go back to your apartment and ship your stuff home." I then called a Russian friend who contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to request the appropriate approval to allow me to stay.

I have the greatest respect for our diplomatic services, but just a warning to travelers that you may have to find other options.

Karin M. Krchnak

Bethesda

WHILE STUDYING in London in 1966, I received a monthly veteran's education check from the U.S. government. My wife and young daughter and I were dependent on this check for food and sustenance.

One Friday afternoon, when monthly checks were distributed at the U.S. Embassy, I was told by the disbursing clerk that he could not cash the check because of an improper signature, and that another check should be available the following Wednesday.

How, I asked, could I feed my family until then? He directed me to the consular officer, who said if I pleaded poverty I could be loaned five pounds. So plead poverty I did, and we lived on fish and chips until I was able to cash a new check the next week and repay the loan graciously obtained from the U.S. Embassy.

Martin S. Wolfe

Chevy Chase

Frequent-Stay Points, Cont'd

REGARDING John Cece's letter concerning the unwillingness of Marriott Rewards to return unused points from a stay in a Marriott hotel in Rome [Message Center, June 4], it has been our experience that a wide diversity in quality exists in the points programs of various hotel chains. We have accumulated considerable points with Hilton, Marriott and Starwood. Our experience with Marriott has been similar to that of Mr. Cece. Often it requires payment of double points to secure the free night(s) required. There is also delay and confusion because it requires a "certificate" to be issued for the award nights.

A couple of weeks ago, we tried to book six free nights next March (10 months in the future) in Florida with Hilton's H-Honors program. It became impossible to get six nights together because of alleged blackout days. A supervisor rudely stated that I needed to try for other dates and other hotels.

What a happy contrast with any request we have ever made through Starwood (Westin, St. Regis and Sheraton hotels)! If they have rooms available, you can book them with points. Starwood has no blackout dates and the amount of points (depending on hotel level) are always the same. When we have had to cancel with Starwood, our points have been returned immediately to our account.

Dave Dennis

Mt. Airy, Md.

I FELT BADLY for John Cece that the loss of one night's Marriott Rewards points was so important to him that it surpassed the wonderful memories of a 50th-anniversary trip to Rome! Since he had already booked the hotel for a night not used, and the hotel may have had to "eat" that booking with an empty room, he needs to understand Marriott's position.

Jeanne Romeo

Gainesville, Va.

Epilogue: Marriott Rewards has since informed John Cece that his unused points will be credited to his account.

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