C10 - Wednesday, September 29, 1982 - North Shore News FROM THE MAILBAG I SUPPOSE that it may sound strange if I make any remarks about camping since I know less than nothing about that sort of travel. Just like everyone else, I’ve been horrified at the disappearance and murder of two B.C. families while on a camping trip. It seems to me _ that campers would be well advised to keep to regular campsites where there is safety in numbers and a certain amount of super- vision. My family lived for a time on a farm, a mile or so from neighbors but right on the main highway. Naturally, all sorts of people stopped there for directions, to sell stuff and for help in case of car breakdowns. Dad always helped but after a few un- savory incidents, his trust in mankind got a little threadbare. He solved the problem by buying a dog — a full grown Boxer with a _ suspicious nature. He wouldn't have a gun because he felt that it could be more dangerous than helpful and I agree. If you feel you must venture into the wilderness, do consider bringing your dog along. ['ve always had a suspicion that murders and robberies are perpetrated by cowards who look for “easy marks”. A dog may tip the scales in your favor. DEAR BARBARA: For the first time, we've decided to take our family to Hawaii for Christmas. I remember that you wrote quite a lot about your experiences there a couple of years ago, over the Christmas season. Could you give me a short summary? ANSWER: If you've never been away from home for Christmas, you may find it a bit of a shock! We did — imagine hearing “Frosty the Snowman” over the loud- speaker in Honolulu airport. lf we should do tt again I'd bring a few things from home such as the kids’ fancy Christmas stockings. We lamited = gift-giving to stocking stuffers to save a big hassle with Canada Customs and ['d recommend this approach WAIKIKI +399 An Oty WAIKIKI *499 ta teays 13 Nights An & Hotot LAS VEGAS *249 Says 4 Nigtis An A Hotel TORONT 0 A Orly MAPLE LEAF TRAVEL 736-355 Hog. Agent 157-3 b y Barbara McCreadie If necessary, you can have a second gift session when you afrive home, especially if you exchange gifts with a lot of friends and relatives. I assume that you'll be staying in a condo as most people with families do. It is wise to plan to cook your own Christmas dinner as many restaurants close. In any that stay open the prices are usually doubled. Hotel restaurants usually conserve their seats for guests of the hotel and you'll have a tough time getting in. I bought my turkey a week ahead from the market where we do all of our shopping. Over the years, I've gotten to know the meat manager and he kindly stored my bird until Christmas Eve. He also told me what days the birds were going on sale so that I got the best price. Mind you, although I felt really noble, wrestling with a lousy turkey while the rest of the family went swimming, my family couldn't care less! “Why couldn't we have had steak instead?” I knew that there were en All teather slim travel organizer with 9 individual compartments some couples in the condo who might be feeling lonely so I pinned a notice to the bulletin board, inviting anyone who wished to join us to give me a call. Two couples did and each offered to bring something to lighten the work load. I found spices quite ex- pensive in Hawaii and will bring a few of my own from home next time. If you feel you must have a tree, you can get some lovely evergreens shipped in from Oregon. I was amazed that the prices were less than I'd paid at home the previous year. Our condo had a big tree in the main lobby so we didn’t bother buying one. The managers also had hundreds of lights and decorations to lend. You might ask about this before you tote a lot of stuff from home. My family was a little disapointed in Hawaii at Christmas while I found it a joy. For one thing, I didn’t miss the extra work, cooking, baking and decorating. I did miss getting together with family and friends but we made up for it when we got home. Christmas music seems odd at first but you get used to it and the decorations in the shops and_ public buildings are marvellous. The thing that really broke us up was Santa Claus — decked out in the white beard and red suit. Instead of baggy trousers the guy was wearing Bermuda shorts. In the background a record of Rolf Harris singing “Six White Boomers” seemed quite appropriate. DEAR BARBARA: We are planning a spring visit to Europe. Several questions: What month is best - March, April or May? Should we rent a car or get a rail pass? How should we locate bed and breakfast ac- commodaff6n? 4 with zippers The front can be locked for extra security Avaliable in Tan Brown. Black & Burgundy $7 200 922-9650 844 Park Royal North, West Van. ANSWER: Mid-April on should be fine, providing that you start in the South and work your way North. The climate can be un- predictable - I've nearly frozen in Italy in April while a few days earlier I was sun- bathing in Spain. With the cost of gas and rental cars, I'd rely mostly on rail passes to get from place to place. If you want to rent a car for the odd day to get out into the countryside, go ahead. Parking in major cities is a pain and driving on major highways can be as much as your life is worth. Some of those drivers are certifiably insane. Don’t forget to get an International Driver's Licence, available at the Automobile Association. The best source of bed and breakfast information is with the tourist bureaus of the countries you intend to visit. There is no comprehensive program for all of Europe. Some countries run the system on a country-wide basis (e.g. England) while others let each individual _ city handle it's own program Planning for Christmas in Hawaii (e.g. Holland). I find Frommer's travel books a good source of inexpensive hotels and _ pensions, especially in Southern Europe. in a hurry? No time to lose... Just can't get rid of those unsightly dimples, lumps and bumps? Now it's possible to smooth and trim away those unwanted inches with the sensational “BODY WRAP” method. No exercise, no pills, just relax your way to a beautiful FIGURE. control Skin Diet included. and maintenance program make-up products, care, GERARP ITALIANA. Opening Mon. Oct. 4 Open House Oct. 1st Eve. Appts. call 985-3439 THE HEADSHED 130 WEST 16th ST. N. VAN. 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