TRAVEL Sunday, November 11 , 1990 - North Shore News - 43 Do homework before departing AFTER A lot of years trav- elling around the world, I’m fairly familiar with a lot of destinations. It’s quite different when you are heading for unfamiliar ter- ritory. Just now, I'm preparing for a trip to Hong Kong — far the first time. Observing my lists littering the desk, a= friend enquired. “*Whatinhell is all that about?"’ Like that old commercial, **The best surprise is no surprise,”* I’m doing my homework. What's important when you're going someplace completely new? Perhaps my checklist may assist you if you're planning a new des- tination. © My passport is up io date BUT I checked it anyway — to enter Hong Kong it ntust be good for six months after your date of entry. ® Money makes the world go round. Since 1 will be only in Hong Kong, ( judged that I should carry my money in Hong Kong dollars BUT just to be sure, 1 checked with Deak Interna- tional. I was right. One complication was pointed out — Vancouver is mighty short on H.K. currency, this week. Canadian doilars have more buying power in Canada. Traveller’s cheques are no prob- fem but must be pre-ordered into most banks. A call to my bank put the order in place and they will also try and find me some currency. Had [ left this until a day or so before departure I'd have been up the proverbial creek. © A few years ago, a Chinese friend, a native of Hong Kong, told me that the weather there isn't very warm this time of year. Oh, yeah? I checked the paper ‘and found that the temperature for the past few days has been 28°C (day) and 22°C (night). That led to ar averhaul of my original packing list. Assuming that my friend is right, the current weather condi- tions are unseasonable. But, if the paper is right, | might fry. The obvious answer is to pack a lite hot weather stuff, some traditional gear plus a coat and sweater just in case. The only suitcase 1 own is ab- surdly small — and that’s the way I like it. I'm going to have to be quite crafty to avoid Jooking like a bag lady. ® The next and probably most important step is homework. There’s no sense visiting a new country without some idea of the history, the geography and the local customs. [I’ve got a visit to the library scheduled for tomor- Tow afternoon. Next, it’s time to talk (o friends who have been there. | like to get a variety of impressions from people who have had different experiences, A tourist who has visited once has a far different point of view than someone who goes on business. Someone who was born there sees it much differently than another travel writer. Women tend to view places dif- ferently than men. Frequent trav-~ ellers can help you view a city in comparison to others that you are doth familiar with. Then comes the reg that you must attend leaving on any trip. 1 don’t have to worry about the house — the cats, the mail, the newspapers, the lawns and general maintenance. This is always a pressing problem when your house will be vacant, but in this case, i'm going on my own. One job that must never be ne- giected before you leave on a trip is the BILLS. F just wrote cheques to pay everything 1 owe. Who needs to have a forgotten Visa tuft fore Barbara NcCreadie TRAVEL WISE payment come to haunt you as you produce your plastic in a foreign shop? Another problem that | don’t have is extended medical in- surance. Because we travel so fre- quently, we buy uavel insurance on a yearly basis and it is automatically renewed by our agent just {ike our house in- surance. I take nothing of value with me aside from my rings. My watch is a reliable, elderly Seiko and could ¢ Singapore © Malaysia ¢ Thailand * Borneo °8B be replaced easily should some thief be foolish enough to steal it. My suitcase and its contents could be adequately covered under airline allowances or our house insurance. Only fools travel with expensive furs and jewelry. | don't need baggage insurance. If | decide to take my camera (i'm a lousy photographer) it has already been green-carded bv Canada Customs. For any travei- ling camera bug, if your equip- ment hasn't already been checked, arrive at the airport a bit carly and visit Canada Customs for reg- istration, It will save you all sorts of trouble re-entering Canada. It is especially ‘important when return- ing from some place like Hong Kong where | am told that you can buy cameras at about one quarter the price you would pay here. I've got a photocopy of all my important documents. {t includes the first two pages of my pass- port, my birth certificate, a medi- cal card, a card with my blood type on it and a list of various numbers for credit cards | carry. On it, I will also record the numbers of the traveller's cheques I will be carrying. Just before I leave | will empty * Hong Kong ali 5 exciting D ELUXE tours especially for the mature traveller © Quality * Comfort « Security Tour Host Bob Elliott Prices starting as iow as §3799° can. dbi/pp ¢ Fully escorted © Private group functions * Small groups (max 20) Departures: Dec. 21/90 ( EStest Jan. 04/91 (18 days) Jan. 21/91 (22 days) Feb. 08/91 (22 days) Mar 01/91 (25 days) The Bell Tours Group &) 15 years experience 12894 — 16th Ave., White Rock BC. V4A 1N5 arranging excorted tours for the 50+ traveller Call (604) 535-2587 (collect) for more info. & detailed brochure or contact your travel agent MALAYSIA Townist Informstion ANGKASA TRAVEL SERVICE S/R SINGAPORE hs s SINGAPORE Srogapore Tourut REG. NO. 0091 Promotion Board my wallet of all cards except my Visa and Mastercard. Who needs gas cards, department store cards and supermarket cheque cashing plastic? Besides, should my wallet get stolen, all of the above are useless to the thief but a bloody nuisance to replace. Since this is a Jong flight, Pm packing a small carry-on bag with a@ track suit and slippers to wear for the duration. It will also hold a carton of duty-free cigarettes (from the airport), a copy of some mindless book and probably a couple of crossword puzzles. 1 don’t need any prescription medication, but if [ did it would be in my purse. However, | have had a cold so my purse will be stocked with a decongestant and some cough medicine. My extra pair of glasses will be there too. WHYTECLIFF TRAVEL »} Carnival Cruise Lines TO THE MEXICAN RIVIERA JUBILEE departs year round on Sundays from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatian and Cabo San Lucas. from $995 U.S? Including air from Vancouver * Per person, double occupancy. plus port charges : ea -_ 2) SHOP THE FLYERS \| » wednesday * Eaton's Lumberland * Woolco * Moores » friday Save-On-Foods * Sears * Den for Men Watch for our Real Estate section » sunday Shoppers Drug Mart Safeway * Super Valu * Consumers Distributing * London Drugs if you miss any of these flyers call North Shore News Distribution 986-1337 * delivered to selected areas only ‘north shore: Your Personal “Love My Hyundai” Coupon The single most important thing to do to keep your engine running smoothly! Oil & Filter Change 18.95 Offer expires Dec. 21, 1990 * Includes genuine Hyundai filter and oil, plus new drain plug gasket. Lubrication, if necessary. $3.95. With every coupon redeemed, fill in your name and address and get a chance to win a Weekend-lorTwo to Las Vegas! 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