30 - Sunday, January 7, 1990 - North Shore News Bring along necessary documents to Mexico A NORTH Shore reader had what is probably one of the shortest visits to Mexico on record. He stayed in Mazatlan just long enough to catch the next plane home. He was refused entry into the country. Although he has lived in Canada for the past 27 years he’s still an Australian on paper. The travel agent who sold him his ticket made no mention of possible visa _re- quirements so he flew away without the necessary document. Everyone needs a document to travel into Mexico. If you are North American, your travel agent can issue a tourist card. If you hold the passport of another country you must have your papers checked by the Con- sulate of Mexico in Canada before you leave. It’s not a long procedure but it is absolutely vital for entry into Mex- ico. Also, if a single parent is travel- ling with minor children into Mex- ico a letter of permission from the other parent is required and must be presented — not mailed — to the consulate. The dates of travel must be included. This also applies to any child travelling with anyone other than the natural parents. Be sure to contact the consulate (684-3547) if any of the above should apply to you. ak Another reader called to advise me to take my advice on being a good house guest one step further. She and her husband are British and have recently moved to the North Shore. ‘‘Tell your readers that phone calls in Britain, even local ones, are charged by the minute.” She explained that one of their guests, obviousiy ignorant of the costs involved, left them with a horrendous phone bill. ten Yet another reader called to tell me that I ‘‘must hate Europe’’ (hardly!) and that the cost of living and travel in Europe is ‘‘much cheaper’? than here. She cited Germany as being.an example of moderate travel costs. That was not my experience. aee Are you planning a visit to the Book by January 3lst for EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT from 5999 US. funds If you can afford a vacation, you can afford a cruise. Call your friendly Cruise Ship Centre - 1823 Capilano Rd, N.V. Caribbean? If so, these hotel tips may be of interest to you. They were prepared by Fodor's Travel Publications and reprinted with permission. travel wise Barbara McCreadie Hotel Tips: 10 Questions Before You Book ® On which side of the island is the hotel? Your location will affect the ability to view sunrises versus sunsets; ‘weather conditions may vary as well. © Who are the owners and do they live on the property year-round? Year-round residence by owners can signal a_ well-maintained, well-run accommodation. © Do windows in the room open? If not, you’ll miss the intoxicating island breezes. ® Does the hotel provide transfer vouchers from the airport? Vouchers can save you as much as $50 round-trip. * Does your room face the sea? Oceanside rooms cost more, but views and breezes may well justify the higher price. © Does the hotel offer a meal plan? Most resort hotels do. e Are kids allowed? Many resort hotels have strict policies. © Are the rooms air conditioned? AC isn’t necessary, but if you plan to take mid-afternoon snoozes in the som, it may be desirable. © i» the hotel a highrise or a mom and pop operation? Naturally, this will dramatically affect the hotel's character. © What recreational facilities are available and are there extra charges for using them? Everything from golf to tennis to scuba gear rentals are included in the price at some hotels. wee Special interest travel lures swarms of people to international soccer games and other sporting events as well as conventions all over the world. You won't find me at either — even a game on TV is enough to send me scuttling for cover. A convention is dreary enough right here at home without travel- ling to some lovely country to have my stay spoiled by meetings. But we all have our ‘‘special’’ interests and who’s to criticize? I'd like to go to a British cat show. Inside my latest sack of Purina cat chow was a contest entry form: win tickets for two to Birmingham, England for the Supreme Cat Show, held by the United Kingdom Cat Fanciers Association from May 11 to May 18. I doubt if I'd even get so far as to mail in the coupon, BUT if I should be in England at the time of the show I might well detour to Birmingham to see the cats. I don’t know what it is about the British but they seem to have an affection for housecats unparal- leled elsewhere, and I suspect that they really do a number with a cat show. And it’s probably a lot safer than a soccer game. MOUNTAINSIDE Zr Y JANUARY MID WEEK SPECIAL $202 PER PERSON DOUBLE Includes: Deluxe studio accomm. for 3 nights and 1 din- ner at Trattoria Di Umberto. Valid Sunday thru Thursday. Studio has a kitchen, F/P. TV., Whirl Tub. CALL 681-6710 NORTH SHORE gues ee oo North Vancouver VENTURE TRAVEL CHARTER AIRFARES TO EUROPE CAD $699°° RETURN FROM VANCOUVER TO -- LONDON PRESTWICK MANCHESTER FRANKFURT AMSTERDAM Guaranteed Price for Bookings prior to Jan 31 / 90. 110 East 14th St. (at Lonsdale) 986-1377 GUTS Affiliated with over 500 Travel Agencies across Canada JANUARY MID WEEK SPECIAL $140 PER PERSON DOUBLE Inctudes: 3 nights Lodge Room accomm. and 1 dinner at Araxi's. Indoor pool, group jacuzzi, 150 yds. to lifts. Valid Sunday thru Thursday. CALL 669-0560 NORTH SHORE VENTURE TRAVEL HAWAITI * RETURN AIRFARE from VANCOUVER = from CAD $399 * OUTRIGGER HOTELS in WAIKIKI from USD $50 daily * 7 NIGHT PACKAGE from $ or ly Pl $ ; CAD Family Plan pp. pp/double 62 0 from CAD 57 quad Packages include AIR/HOTEL/TRANSFERS Certain date restrictions apply. 986-1377 | StS Affiliated with over 500 Travel Agencies across Canada ThomasCook Travel AT EATON'S INVITES YOU TO COME CRUISING TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1990 Join us for our LONSDALE QUAY HOTEL CRUISE PRESENTATION With 7:00 PM $2.00 per person Cooks’ Tours and Princess Door prizes! Cruises Refreshments served PRINCESS CRUISES €2 OPORTART FALTS: Prices. DEFSON DAES On Available exclusivaly at Gove weuoancy aries OOewse Had an at those avadadie al press be Aidvortined prices are Re mislname allie and prices tt ey . depsoeeel open doportern im AT EATON'S sremanesiog. Ara st wee aoety fer of bootan See hater Seo cononors. soounons, erciveont, aeTuce Please reserve in advance. Call 926-5555 Onters, RecHON wit any other Thoenas Cook Travel handed preeteum or offer Elleen Schaub» Administration Otficer Tel: 925-3112 Teresa Black Hughes Manager, Deposit Services 1738 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C.