Summer routes launched THE summer season for BC Ferries’ Discovery Coast Passage began Tuesday between Port Hardy ‘and Bella Coola. Passengers travelling in June and September will also receive a free tip between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Last summer morc than 7,400 pcople travelled the Discovery Coast Passage. The Queen of Chilliwack stops ‘at - midcoast communities including Klemtu, Bella Bella “and Ocean Falls. Passengers . can launch kayaks off the ferry _ at prearranged Jocations along >the route. “The. summer schedule also began on Thursday, June 15 - on. the. Prince Rupert- '. Skidegate,- Queen Charlotte Islands, route with four-round ips weekly from cach port. : For reservations on the iscovery Ronee she ¢ or -Skidegate utes call:1- 888. BC- FERRY 23-3779). hoe B.C: fae Me hed an inter- c based Travel ‘Bulletin Pro travel opportunities The: bulletin; aciainlstered wee j “Goliger’s .- ‘TravelPlus sabe be. found at. Frous page 32 Syrians are helpful people and a loud “Do you speak English?” in a crowded shop or bus always produced an cager companion to take a proprietary interest in my well-being without reward. I swa pes a balloon for a sticky handful of peanuts with the small boy beside me on the bus, first, with due Western paranoia, gauging his mother’s approval. I taught him how to make rude noises by deflating it through the stretched neck then was severely chastised by the interfering Australian behind me. “They'll all want something.” I arrived in Hama to the creaking and groaning of giant norias, waterwheels which once supplied the city’s aquaducts. This pretty traditional riverside town was an ideal base for visiting nearby ruins and Crusader castles including the huge remarkably preserved Crac des Chevaliers. I shared an immaculate 1953 Pontiac with the girl from the BBC. Her tonnage . of facial rings was of equal f Desolation Sound Eagles Nest Resort Septli-15 Cascade Loop - . Polar Bears of Churchii} Oct 16-19 Long Beach Storm: Watch Nov 7-9 . Rockies, Waterton & Alberta Badlands . Sept 17 - 23 E ° CANADIAN FUNDS. RATES ARE PER PERSON. PORT CHARGES: $59 CAD PER PERSON ADDITIONAL. ‘TRAVEL Hama centre for Crusader castles fascination to the loca) ladies, occupants of bechive-style adobe houses, as their facial tattoos Were to us, An easy bus ride, marred only by the high pitched Arab tenor blasting forth from the overhead video, took me to Palmyra, a colon- naded Roman ruin presided over by a more recent Crusader castie perched on the hilltop. Funerary towers rose high from the desert hillside between. The sergeant-major relentlessly drilled the mili- tary band in full battle dress under the midday. sun, provocatively pulling and pushing his hapless victims in the amphitheatre which had doubtless seen more sartorial performances. The backpack- ing American artist sketching ‘in the Temple of Bel under a vast Julie Andrews hat, was celebrating her 75th birth- day. I travelled North to ancient Aleppo and became well and truly lost in the more than nine-kilometre maze of sougs which sur- round The Citadel. Donkeys are’ still hired as beasts of burden for restocking and _ Dhscoes yout oO oun beckyaud / / ft OC Aa PECK Aug 28-31 PON MABLT deliveries. Signs posted in both Arabic and Russian, a reminder of the proximity and trade between the two countries, were of little help. I took the spectacular train trip, zigzagging over the more than 1,000-metre high mountain range that separates the coastal strip, then dropped down through the heavily cultivated alluvial plain to Lattakia, Syria’s main port on the Mediterranean. Filled with anticipation [I headed for the beach in Tartus a short minibus ride away. Sadly garbage and raw sewage littered every square inch and the promenade was lined with abandoned hotels. The beaches were the only disappointment to an other- wise wonderfully rewarding trip in a friendly, safe and fabulously interesting coun- try where a dollar still goes a long way. Postscript: What a differ- ence a year makes. I visited Syria in "November 1998. At this time the much revered King Hussein was ruling Jordan as Hafez al Assad ruled ncighbouring Syria. Long Beach Getaway Sept 5-7 Oct 16-19 Sunday, June 18, 2000 — Nerth Skore News - 33 These two wily leaders were lionized by their supporters and feared by their detrac- tors. Each had a loyal mili- tary and a vast secret service network, The world viewed with fear both the ascension of young inexperienced Abdullah to the Jordanian monarchy and the promo- tion of young inexperienced Bashar to the Syrian presi- dency. Hopefully youthful minds can improve che lot of their people. Since the collapse of the Russian economy, Syria has been slowly opening its doors to the West. I’m sure that no matter who is in power, any tourist will con- tinue to be treated with the same Middle Eastern cour- SuSSA ESAS tesy, kindness and honesty as I was. It is endemic in the people and expedient to the politicians. They need the money. If_y: : Visas are gener- ally not available at the border. Nearest Syrian Embassy, 2215 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington DC 2008, Telephone (202) 232-6313. Obtain a multi-enry if you wish to visit Lebanon. Any sign Of an Israeli visit on_ your pass- port will negate a Syrian visa. Women travellers will be lent a chador to visit religious sites and should generally refrain from wearing brief clothing. There is a good tourist infra- structure for accommodation, restaurants and comfortable transportation. Visit your nearest location: NORTH VANCOUVER 1823 Capilano Rd... 285-7447 WEST tii eR 2434 Marine Dr {Dondarae). ts aewed Cor Grats, by men teean Selvaumetertseooe, caaae 1716 Marine Div, West Yoneouvor’”