C10 - Sunday, October 7, 1984 - North Shore News EEE travel Learn from others’ experience RECEIVED AN interesting letter from a reader, detailing a fascinating visit he made in 1980 to Africa and India, travelling ‘fas the average person travels in each country.”’ Since the letter is three times longer than my column space, I'll have to sum up a few of his experiences. I’ve no intention of giving the same trip a try so we'll all have to learn from his ex- periences, for better or worse. It begins with a flight to Monrovia, Liberia, ‘‘which was the beginning of a trip | would just as soon forget.’’ His first taste of the coun- try was having to pay a bribe to the customs officer to stay in the country and to keep his passport. When he went to claim his back-pack, ‘‘it was grabbed by a 6’2’’, 200 Ib. man who stuck out his hand and said, ‘money.’ ‘“‘Everyone stopped and looked at the = situation developing. I’m a 6’, 145 lb. weakling, the type of guy in- clined to walk away from trouble. What to do? | pulled out a U.S. $1 bill (everyone understands that language) and gave it to him. He took it and as I reached for my pack he pulled it away and said, ‘More money’.”’ With that, our timid Cana- dian bravely grabbed his pack and beat it for the door. The cab driver bilked him out of $30 for a $5 ride. A guard in front of the official residence jammed a rifle in his stomach while he search- ed the back-pack. ‘‘l eventually traveled as the black man _ travels, through to the Ivory Coast then into the Upper Volta and Niger. | got so sick and weak on the edge of the Sahara in the little village of Aabit that | had to return to Niamey and fly across the Sahara to Algeria, then to Morocco and eventually flew home from (¢ asablanyga When 1 caine to New York | really felt like kissing the tarmac "' | don’t doubt at' His adventures included — bemng thrown into a pit with a group of chained Arabs and Syaatter V0) a aN 925-1292 PRIME TKAVEL Mauatinve (Orive having the police passport. 1 admire travellers who are willing to face danger and disease while travelling. That doesn’t mean | want to do it myself! I’m a true believer in the written word — just because there are hell-holes in the world, | don’t feel l’ve got to go have a look to prove it to myself. lose his travel- by Barbara McCreadie We must all be grateful for the brave explorers who sail- ed into uncharted seas — after all, if they hadn't, my ancestors would hkely have Careers in Travel We gt oper he Goor to The exc unng wortdd of travel routs DAr SP ENING, CoH REES TheAvey ar ees LS Tre verka ft re Se Lo COMPLI TE be TE beMAERY A, TRAVEL TRAINING CENTRE vobat Py, Ste “A Peeserstoeee taney Aver Nout vaecuee WYO wd Hollyburn Plaza West Var Morntoen Of NET A stayed in the wilds of Scotland, painting themselves blue. If they had to depend upon me to sail off in search of -uncharted lands it would be a case of, ‘‘Pass the paint, please.”’ At any rate, the reader also included a description of a visit to India and a meeting with Mother Theresa which I?ll save for another column. That trip was a bit more successful. ak kk If anyone is interested in ‘‘adventure travel’’ they would probably be interested in ‘‘Great Expeditions’’ magazine which details many readers’ experiences in some really strange places. They also feature a reader’s re- quest column — people look- ing for travel companions and information. Subscriptions are $18 a year. Mail to: Great Expedi- tions Circulation Dept., Box 46499, Station G, Van- couver, B.C. V6R 4G7. Maybe reading about some of these out-of-the-way spots will keep travellers from repeating other travellers’ errors. ; x* * * The head office of the Ocean Research and Conser- vation Association has been moved from Toronto to North Vancouver. They pro- vide travel opportunities in the Caribbean on vessels that carry scientists and resear- chers doing unusual things both at sea and on land. These include whale and porpoise surveys, underwater photography, coral reet ecology and geology of volcanic islands. ORCA is a registered Canadian Charity but don’t get the idea they’re handing out free trips! If you want any further in- formation write to 982 Hart- ford Place, North Van- couver, V7H 2J7 or phone (684) 929-6306. They’ve got an expedition leaving Dec. 22, 1984, 14 days on an 80° wooden schooner in the Lesser Anuiles. The cost is $1,395 U.S. per person, not including = air fare. Perhaps this might be the answer for someone who isn’t looking forward to Christmas at home this year. It's odd, but this item on ORCA has a roundabout connection both to this col- umn and to Great Expedi- tions. The director of ORCA Sargisson. here is) Nikki 604) 980-0321 604) 681-1646 London ne 5659" Toronto from °229 Tampa from °346 Disneyland hired Hotel $299 Cook Istands from $1359 Reno 4 nights incindes Air and Hotel 5289 Several years ago, she read about Great Expeditions in my column and she bought a subscription to the magazine. At that time, Great Expedi- tions was using the ORCA program to base some of their adventure travel. Nikki bought one of their Caribbean packages, went and had such a wonderful Vacation that she ended up working for the company. She added, ‘‘! finally cancell- ed my subscription to the Magazine because I Just couldn’t bear to read about everybody going to such marvellous places and me having to stay home!”’ “PLUG IN AROUND THE WORLD” GT BRITAIN o ABIBBE AN ae A Mita t EAST AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND [Bee em] “ONLY YOUR PASSPORT IS MORE IMPORTANT!” $15°° Park Royal North Richmond Centre Mall AFRICA IRE LANG SAME Ho 922-9650 276-2606 With interest Vateastnon cholhans bse: tree re stitip ter thle tryconae | Colat NV ad vate trons Prt Wats Cher eR ONS EES cate fit c Neapoe nr Preodvcbery + Hurt ¢ Vitaed in Pee agree rn Sanat re or veyed tte Pe cbepee cow db se the fe en a Neort Nha! ee oe ee os Cr cn ° wae 1 ' ‘ rates on the poe on aconstantupward spiral more Canadians are demanding valuc for ther With this ta mind its (treat anochans thanever before teaoked strap d nates cusotiy by ventas bfaad « ; ‘ . , Hoeberry tte treahke =f {yt rise and airfare and village accommodation airfare avaslable from Vancouver start Three pourmer meals a day with oun vop at SELP79* all inclusive Canadian loneted waite Nopbtly cntertaromeot funds Program begins December 2 and sports activ tlie s woeh qaahifted 198) For more information or reserva last year oo Unstrue Gon ttons, call your travel agent or C lub Med Whats mneonre ots done with parac tre at }-8O0- 268 1160 toll free Phere are no hidden Costs: Ne ocepimen atone tear Yeou Just help veurself Worth this ati PP avs Ebbartee NVC mae darter y ote Verte try bse Virebe served ov bene Tres Weottede rd Che lvtveraty ‘¢ ' brass rest ocof thre trawel cnebustey us wearing en re 9 Hogue abet ao letiy face Cotuty Med ty rere herp Pose crtyd brent thre toot try pas ctg rhe tease] pratdne what they deserve A bated same ants a oon el t Aperienes Club Med vat © lot Nbewdt Ore weeb barrrt pre hotpees av anbatide wwoaedes yecure froott, SASSO Cote week prac Weapre ss wots “Yorur Barden of earthly delight’