My wife, Carole, and I took a 2-week trip to New Zealand in March ’06. We spent most of our time north of Auckland, especially in the Doubtless Bay area. This area received its name from Captain Cook, who when he passed by wrote in his ship’s log, “Doubtless there is a bay.”

Our main stay was at the Beach Lodge (Box 190, Mangonui, Far North 0557, North Island, N.Z.; phone/fax 64-9-406 0068 or visit www.beachlodge.co.nz), operated by Margaret Morrison, who moved to the area 16 years...

Chris, an expert bird guide and owner of Chris Dahlberg’s Specialised River Tours (Daintree Village, Queensland 4873, Australia; phone 07 4098 7997 or visit www.daintreeriver tours.com.au), was one of the reasons we chose to visit Daintree on our trip to Australia.

On our October visit, we rose early and caught the boat at the Daintree Village Jetty. (The 2-hour tour, Aus$55, or near US$42, leaves at 6:30 a.m. from Easter to Oct. 31 and at 6 a.m. Nov. 1-Jan. 31.) We immediately...

Regarding the “screaming infant on a flight” (Nov. ’06, pg. 30), the problem should have been referred to a pediatric physician, not an airline customer relations executive or legal officer.

“Dr.” Mueden prescribes a whiskey or gin tit — an age-old remedy, not my invention. Soak a piece of cloth in a sugar, water and gin or whiskey mixture and let the child suck. I have heard that it is magical and brings relief to all within earshot.

Airlines would put themselves at risk if...