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WITH EXPO 88 getting ready to open its doors in Brisbane
this April there is a lot of local interest in paying Australia a

visit.

One West Vancouver resident
has a slightly different approach to
Expo — he's organized a tour
group that will not just ‘‘come to
the fair’’ but dig for opals.

travel
2 wise
: Barbara McCreadie_

Australia is the world’s largest
producer of these gems and
‘Ronald Stokes is a. mining
engineer. He reasoned that any
“number. of people might enjoy a
visit to the ‘‘digs’’. and have a
chance to try their luck hunting
opals. o-

. And,. luck. is apparently all it

‘takes to find these valuable stones. --

. ‘There is no scientific method: of
detection — they don’t come in
:, concentrations or veins. Speaking
of luck, I asked Mr, Stokes about

‘ the legend that opals are unlucky

to ‘everyone except those who can:

..Claim them as birthstones.-
_ He replied that the only bad luck
involved is not owning an opal.
Their value has tripled in the last

"two to three years. Depending on.

:_. the quality, an opal can sell for up
- to 34,000 a carat. ~

-The tour departs on’ June a fly-. a
ing’ to. Los Angeles on: Canadian:
Airlines and connecting with Qan-°

tas’ for’ the: flight: to Sydney. On

"June 29 the group flies to Adelaide

~~ and.then on to Coober Pedy and

. . the opal digs.

- Includes 3 days
2 nights

| | Breakfast » Dinner * High Tea for 2
- | Harbour Luncheon Cruise for 2
$242.00 or Deluxe $336.00

“| _ Double occupancy -
Avail. to April 15, 1988

. Enjoy lunch aboard
+ ourownl fi.

~~ P Custom Yacht,
"} MV, Mesouda

‘Hotel

Victoria’ only seaside hotel ——
A175 Beach Drive - Victoria
~  Toreserve, call collect 598-4556

While in Coober Pedy the ac-
commodation is unique: The Un-
derground Matel.

Because of the fierce heat during
the summer in this part of the
world the people live underground.
However, anyone travelling on this
tour won't experience any of that
— June and July are mid-winter in
Australia and at Coober Pedy the
climate then resembles Arizona —
quite warm by day and cool at
night.

* ‘The trip includes a coach tour of ~

J Cruise centers

pals makes
uStralian holiday

Alice Springs and Ayres Rock.
From Alice Springs there’s a flight
to Brisbane for three days of Ex-
po. Qantas flies the group home
direct Brisbane to Vancouver on
July 16.

{f you're interested in building
up your opal collection by digging
your own, call Stokes Exploration
Management Co. at 688-8541.

Li id

I'm not a member of the
American Association of Travel

See Avoid

985-7447

al :: i BT +623 ceptano Ad., North Vancouver, 8.C., Canada V7B 285

OPEN'7 DAYS
-PER WEEK! :
“10-4 PM — WKNDS

NOT ALL SUCCESSFUL CRUISES
_- BEGIN AT STATION TRAVEL!

(MOST ALASKA CRUISES, Dow!

Stardancer™”
Cunard Princess
‘Universe , .
Sea Princess
Noordam -

Rotterdam:

Nieuw Amsterdam
Istand Princess
Royal viking Star

* “ Royal Princess
“Sun Princess _-

Golden Odyssey
, * Sagafjord

STARTING AT °561.00 one way

When I'm fortunate enough to go

South, | always wear a Tilley
Cotton Hooded Shirt ($62) — as a
jacket — to the airport. The next
day, when the mad dogs and | are
out at noonday, the Shirt protects
me from the sun:

. Note the buttoned-up neck

opening to safeguard my neck.

And there's another pocket INSIDE] f

the kangaroo pocket for a wallet.
The Drawstring Pants ($49) are -

elasticized at the back of the waist]

band.

Colours: White, sand, light blue
and navy. Sizes: Men S to XXXL,
Women Sto XXL. *

By the way: EXPECTANT

"MOTHERS tell us this outit is

marvellously comfortable,
Ale x Tilley

We're Moving March i, 1988
. 1537 West Broadway i

Drop in, Phone or Write

‘Hours: ,
Mon-Sat. 10-5

Vancouver, BC, V6d 1W6 © “
Barbara Tilley -°!

» 1559 Pemberton Ave.
North Vancouver ~*

980-2631

35 - Sunday, February 7, 1988 -~ North Shore News

Are now the new
owners Of

HARBOUR CENTRE
TRAVEL LTD.

Seymour Street Entrance
By the Seabus Terminai

THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR
WITH A DIFFERENCE

3 Outback Opal Safari then EXPO 88 = W®
DEPARTS VANCOUVER JUN. 24 HOME JULY 16/88
Visiting the Opal Fieids at Coober Pedy,
Mintable Ayers Rock, Alice Springs then Brisbane

3x —s All Outback Travel by Specially 1%
Equipped Vehicle
Personally Escorted by Vancouver Gemologist
RONALD B. STOKES, P.ENG.
ideal for the Rockhound Fraternity and Opal Collectors
* FOR FULLEST INFORMATION CALL *

HOLIDAY TRAVEL CONSULTANTS LTD.

HO1- 1201 West Pender GE OA Ee

Vancouver, V6E 2V2

CAFE PACIFICA
~ CHINESE NEW YEAR
FESTIVAL

February 15-29, 1988

Featuring an authentic selection of delicacies
prepared before you from our Chinese Kitchen:

LUINCH-A LACARTE .
DINNER - BUFFET

For reservations call 662-8111.
Wina trip for two to Hong Kong Via
CATHAY PACIFIC.
#

Pan Pacific
Vancouver

HOTEL