36 - Sunday, October 12, 1986 - North Shore News ISLAND FOOD WONDERFUL Fijian paradise only 12 short hours away EVER SINCE fog-bound Northern Europeans set out in wooden ships, convinced that the world was flat, the rest of us began hearing tales of islands. Islands in the sun where, if they weren't boiling-up luckless sailors for dinner, the islanders lived in comfort and plenty. Coconuts dropped at their feet, fish almost hopped into the net and that left lots of time to do interesting things on the sand with willing partners. travel wise by Barbara McCreadie I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t relish the idea of ‘‘Return to Paradise’’. Unfortunately, the closest a lot of people get is Waikiki and the best description I’ve ever heard | of that is ‘‘Portland with palm trees’’ Some of the luckier ones get to visit Fiji. Unfortunately, some of these visitors never do any more than land in Nadi airport. Others take a side- trip to Suva, the capital, and come away convinced that Fuji is just a longer plane flight to a poor sub- situte for Waikiki. Fiji is roughly 12 hours by air from Vancouver. It won’t do much good to .start quoting air fares - because the range is so wide, depen- ding on time of year, ‘‘packages’* and further destinations. Few people vicic Fiji, only — it’s generally a stop- over on the way to Australia or New Zealand. Fiji has an excellent tourist bureau with offices all over the world. They have some great booklets available — call (toll free) 800-647-7700. In particular, the Fiji Travel Guide 1986-87 is excellent. You may find this at a local travel agent if you're lucky. Next, a few basics about Fiji. To visit, you need a passport valid for at least six months after your ar- rival date. Visas are required from very few countries but if you travel on a passport from Bongo-Bongo, better call and check it out. The Fijian dollar is worth approx- imately $1.23 CDN. When visiting Fiji, be sure to save $10 (F) to pay your departure tax at the airport. If you are planning an extended visit to Fiji, you may stay three months without any red tape. After that you may get a visa in various of- fices in Fiji. And, for visitors who can’t bear to leave Rover or Pretty Paws at home, dogs and cats are allowed, but must be quarantined for seven days on arrival. That’s not bad when you consider the six-month ‘‘jail’’ term in Hawaii and England. Fiji is considered a ‘‘Duty Free’’ country and shops selling the usual liquor, cigarettes, perfumes, jewelry and cameras abound. 1 didn’t find the prices all that great when compared to some of the Caribbean islands and the Channel Careers in Travel # We can open the door to the H exciting world of travei for YOU | DAY AND EVENING COURSES & fi conducted by Industry professionals in TRAVEL COUNSELLING SALES & MARKETING § RESERVEC COMPUTERS §& uy with or-site installations ; i TRAVEL TRAINING CENTRE m §©Ste. 2-1583 Pemberton Ave. B Mm North Vancouver 986-2221 Islands. If you intend to do some power-shopping, check the prices here —~ both in stores and the airport duty-free shop before you leave. Dress is very casual in Fiji. | didn’t see or hear of any restaurant requir- ing tes or jackets, however [’d hesitate to wear brief shorts and scanty halter tops other than on the beach. Who am I trying to kid? You may wear them on the beach — I’ abstain. The national dress of Fiji is the sulu. This is simply a length of pat- terned cotton wrapped and knotted around the waist for men and under the arms for women. Fijian men wear dressy versions of this with formal jackets for state See Fijians Page 37 cruises! CRUISES!! CRUISES!!! * Are you mystified by so many choices? " Are you unsure if cruising is reatly the holiday for you? Join us for an informative evening, everything you ever wanted to know about a Cruise Holiday. Tuesday October 21st at 6:30 p.m. Holiday Inn, Harbourside Entrance Fee: $3.00 per person (musi be reserved in advance) a Atsatated with Voyages Be] Airline! We've been there. P. LAWSON TRAVEL 754 North Park Royal West Vancouver 922-4131 DISCOVER the Okanagan df Indian S Holiday Early autumn in Penticton. The sun is golden. Temperatures are warm. Colours are radiant. And the crowds have all gone home. Could there be a better time to take a family holiday at The Delta Lakeside? per room, per night 7 days a week farm and complimentary Wine Tours and Tastings. 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