26 ~ Sunday, July 17 1988 - North Shore News BETWEEN AIRLINES being shot down, cruise ships being shot up and trains falling into lakes, it’ s a wonder that more of us aren’t staying home. However, I’m told that tourism, worldwide is increasing every day — I just hope that readers are do- ing their homework and choosing their destinations with care. If, for some twisted reason, you decide to visit someplace plagued with revolt, take the precaution of checking with the company that insures your life. Many policies contain a clause that the policy is void if anything happens to you during a visit to friendly old Lebanon or Northern Jreland. And, there’s more to be con- cerned about — not as serious as being blown up or shot at — but decided inconveniences. For example, had you heard that North Africa is suffering the worst plague of locusts in 30 years? When I was a kid, growing up in southern Alberta, we had a couple of ‘‘plagues’’ of these horrid little critters and believe me, I’d never intentionally come within a hun- dred miles of them again. -A few years age there was a cholera epidemic in Naples. Many travellers didn’t bother to read the papers but merrily departed, sans immunization. When they arrived, they found out the good news and also learned that you couldn’t buy a cholera shot with the contents of the Bank of England — supplies had run -out. Naturally, there are some things you can’t prevent. How would I have known that the army was about to put the boots to Madame Peron and shut down Argentina? I got lucky and escaped in the nick of time, but had my ship left one hour later. 1 would have been stranded for wecks. But there are some things, such as general strikes and shutdowns, that come to the attention of the local press before the event and the shrewd traveller moves out. The problem is that half the time the traveller can’t read the local press. Buy a copy anyway — you can always find someone who can translate the important parts for you. see More about advance planning: One of the soundest pieces of ad- vice I can give a traveller concerns the return flight. Most of us travel on the cheapest tickets we can buy. The departure and return dates are close to being engraved on stone. There’s nothing worse than being stranded somewhere, miles from your airport, and find that some sort of strike or national disaster is preventing you from getting there. It's happened to me just once — my return flight was teaving from wise Barbara McCreadie London and I was parked in the airport in Genoa. Panic stations. I spent hours wringing my hands and fretting — about all anyone can do under the circumstances. We made it in time but just. That is the only thing I can remember about that holiday — what a waste of money. Plan your itinerary so that you’re close to your airport at least a day in advance of your flight home. ee Some travel advice touted by people who ought to know better boggles my mind. One recent bit of business con- cerned ‘‘how to pack’’. The author suggested that the traveller unpack his suitcase every day. It was also suggested that this activity shouldn’t take more than a half an hour. Every time a garment is refoid- ed, a new set of wrinkles is created. A properly packed suit- case should never be fully unpack- ed until you reach home. Layer the items so that you can slide a single garment out without disturbing everything else in the case. Put the frequently needed stuff such as your PIs on the top. Pack in decreasing order of impor- tance. A regular traveller has his own - system. For example, I can unpack my suitcase in the dark because I know that my stockings are always in the upper left corner, my shoes in the upper middle and my cosmetic kit upper right. I also include my packing list, pinned to the lid of the case — a quick read just before I shut the lid reminds me of the nightgown I’ve forgotten on the back of the bathroom door. Name and address is permanent- ly glued to the lid 3s well, You may have ‘noticed in the travel section of the classified ads something like this: ‘‘One-way ticket, Van-Mtl, Aug. 1, fem. $150 3.b.0.” It happens ali the time because it’s cheaper to buy a round trip ex- cursion fare and sell the half you don’t want than to buy a one-way ticket. The market i is brisk because a lot of people who are going on vaca- tion pick up half a ticket here and do the same type of shopping when they want to come home. There’s a little pitfall in the pro- cess. First, why do these ads specify “male’? or ‘‘female’’? Simply because the airline has the right to ask for identification when you present your ticket and the right to refuse boarding if you can’t do it. They don’t often do it, but if the ticket says John Jones and you look a lot more like Mary Smith, you’d better be a female imper- sonator and able to prove it. In addition, the airline has no responsibility for your baggage or your body should anything go i LAKES RESORT B.C.'s tHlest Unique High Couby Adueutine For a lost weekend or a full vacation, the magnificent scenic soltude of Cathedral Lakes Resort is unbeatable. NO T.V. - NO TELEPHONES. Just good food, fresh clean air and mountain solitude. You should trv it! Call Joan or Bill CATHEDRAL LAKES RESORT (604) 499.5848 OF write: R.R.41, CAWSTON, B.C. VOX 1CO FLOSSERS KEEPERS... ee ne Make cleaning between a daily routine. DENTAL HEALTH Gad wrong. This is just another reason why airlines have difficulty identi- fying victims. CANADIAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION HASTINGS TRAVEL YOUR TRAVEL CENTRE WITH “SWISS EFFICIENCY” TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS - WORLDWIDE FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE Prompt — Personalized — Multilingual Service 744 W. HASTINGS VERENA FURRER cat: 689-0461 VANCOUVER, B.C. V6C 1A5 — Owner — inl savincs or $3000°9. Te PER COUPLE CRUISE THE ORIENT ABOARD THE LUXURIOUS SEA PRINCESS From $3802 Cdn. per person « Oct. 121988 16 Day Package includes 3 nights deluxe hotel in - Hong Kong andi Beijing *FLY FREEW «Hong Kong ° China Sea « ono Beling ° Nagasaki » Pusan e Dalian «Bo ig Deposit must be in prior to July 31, 1988 x SUMMER/FALL SPECIAL TO BARBADOS 2 WEEKS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 WEEK from $1273. per person/double Inclusive of airfare, 5-star hotel accommodation, transfers, service charges and taxes. Subject to availability Call us for details LYNN VALLEY PARK ROYAL PH. 984-4545 PH. 922-9301 SHE KNOWS It isnt necessary to sail the Chesapeake just because youre wearing sun-proteciive Tilley Cottons Nor.must you trek through Europe simply because these colourful. unshrinkable cottons are also no-tron. No, indeed? Genelle Thiessen of our Don Mills staff has her own reason: she wears the Hooded Shirt ($62) with the kangaroo pocket, and the Draw-String Pants ($49) with the eiasticized waist because “theyre comiortable!” And she should know! Alex Tilley PS: a fascinating film, ‘Tengboche. A Threatened Sanctuary’ wil be aired June 6, 8pm, TV Ontario {later this summer: CBC). You'll note a distinct Canadian ptesence . Out-of- Province Excess Medical & Hospital Insurance Now BCAA Insurance offers new Holidair Excess Medical Insurance, which offers some coverages which may not be available under other policies. Check with us before leaving for your summer holiday outside the province. We want to help you pack a little extra security along on your trip. 21OLIDAIR. BCAA Insurance AGENCY RA) West Vancouver 908 South Mall Park Royal Shopping Centre 922-3361 underwritten by Drop in, = crowntife Phone or Write Barbara Tilley 1537 West Broadway Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1W6 Ph. 732-4287 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30 or SEA-HATS