Fond memories of growing up in Vancouver

More lovely spots in Vancouver

Hugo Martín’s article on Vancouver and Whistler was superb [“Two Cool,” Dec. 13].

It brought back many great memories of my time spent growing up in Vancouver, Canada.

During the mid-’80s, I was sales director at the Sheraton Landmark (now the Empire Landmark), and I had many a fine meal up top in the Cloud 9 restaurant. The views are to die for.

One area of town everyone should experience is the waterfront of West Vancouver. West Van has its own sea wall with great walking from Ambleside Park to Dundarave, offering spectacular views of Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, English Bay and Point Grey. Many unique shops and eateries are close by to enjoy. I spent many enjoyable hours walking the sea wall, rain or shine!

David Patterson

Palm Springs

The high seas by liner or freighter

Regarding “Setting Sail

for Europe” by Catharine Hamm [On the Spot,

Dec. 13]: Thank you for the article about transatlantic crossings. Readers might be interested to know that freighter travel is an excellent option: www.freighterworld.

Stewart Spivak

Camarillo

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The traveler wanting to sail rather than fly from the U.S. to the Continent did not get the answer she was seeking. It is possible to sail to several European ports, among them Barcelona, Venice, Rome, Athens and Rotterdam. And it is not always necessary for a solo traveler to pay for double occupancy. Some cruise lines offer single-occupancy cabins, while others have a shared cabin program in which they try to find a suitable roommate -- if not, the original occupant has the cabin to herself. The traveler needs to consult a travel agent.

Robert Lerner

San Diego

It put the boom on Palm Springs

Regarding Christopher Reynolds’ “So Modern It’s Like 1959” [Dec. 6]: Regrettably, he neglected to inform readers of the significance of the Agua Caliente Equalization Act of 1959. Perhaps this act had the greatest impact on the boom that was to come to Palm Springs.

It allotted virtually the entire Indian reservation so that all tribal members had at least two parcels, many of them in highly valued locations from the viewpoint of tourist development. Tribal members could lease lands for variable time periods, upward of 99 years. Availability of reservation lands was essential to the future growth and prosperity of Palm Springs.

Imre Sutton

Fullerton

Sometimes, old advice is still best

Regarding Catharine Hamm’s “Protect Yourself” [On the Spot, Dec. 6] about trusting the Internet for

travel arrangements: I have a saying from the really old days, “Look under the pie crust for flies before you eat the pie.” I have stuck by that saying and saved myself a lot of grief.

Lori Graham

Los Angeles