Tripologist: Does boiling water in a kettle make it safe to drink?

I use a kettle to boil tap water in hotel rooms when I’m travelling but I wonder if boiling water is sufficient to make it totally safe to drink?
V. Cassey, Hurstville, NSW

According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some common intestinal pathogens will die at temperatures as low as 60°C. When water reaches boiling point the threat from waterborne pathogens is eliminated. The CDC recommends boiling for one minute as a precaution. Since most electric kettles will shut off when the water reaches boiling point you can hold down the switch, but beware of water spilling from the kettle. Alternatively, boil the water several times at short intervals. If you have doubts about using tap water in a kettle, filtered water provides an extra layer of protection, and it’s available just about everywhere in the third world.

We are visiting Europe over Christmas and we have the Northern Lights, Christmas markets and skiing on the wish list. What countries would suit us best?
A. Demitrius, Castlemaine, Vic

The Nordic countries are the best place to see the Northern Lights, but to give yourself a fair chance of experiencing the show, you need to travel further north from the southern capitals of Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in northern Finland, has good air connections with Helsinki, and this is a prime choice. Tromso, in Norway’s North is another promising location, with flights from Oslo. Just be aware that there is no absolute guarantee of witnessing the northern lights and the cold is brutal, you need to be well-prepared.

For the skiing and Christmas markets, Austria is perfect, and Innsbruck would be a good base. Surrounded by the peaks of the Nordkette Range, Innsbruck has powerful Christmas traditions. Its narrow laneways are patrolled by princesses, giants and beasts from the Austrian fables while glittering crystal trees light up Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the city’s main boulevard. A few days before Christmas the city celebrates the Christkind Parade featuring over 500 small angels and herdsmen. Focus of the action is the Christkindlmarkt, which takes place on the cobblestones of the Old Town’s main square. Traditional components of the Austrian Christmas include cheesy dumplings, hot doughnuts and spicy gluhwein. Innsbruck has been the host of the winter Olympics twice and the city’s Olympia Ski World has nine world-class ski resorts with varying terrain suitable for skiers of all abilities. For more information see the official Austria tourism website (austria.info).

We’re planning to take our two young grandchildren away for a holiday in Hawaii while their parents have their own separate holiday. Do we need written permission?
W. Hassall, Katoomba, NSW

According to the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website, “There are laws around children travelling without both parents. Airlines also have rules you must follow. This can apply if your child is travelling alone, with a guardian or with just one parent.” Most airlines and some countries require grandparents, guardians or anyone else travelling overseas with children not their own to have a letter of consent, signed by both parents or legal guardians.

While there are consent forms available on the internet, for example LawDepot (lawdepot.com/au) you can create your own. You need the full names of all involved, relationships, parents’ or guardians’ contact details, where the children are travelling to, dates of travel, insurance details and consent for medical treatment. Generally, anyone under 18 is considered a child in the eyes of the law. Some countries have stringent rules to prevent trafficking of children. Unless they are travelling with their parents, the South African Government requires incoming children under 18 to have unabridged birth certificates, a document containing information relating to both biological parents or legal guardians.