THE MORE our friend Chester Dobson tells me about the Cook Islands, the more I want to visit. Unfor- tunately, getting there isn’t half the fun. Air New Zealand is thé only carrier and whichever way you plan your flight, either through Tahiti or. Fiji (recom- mended), you" have several days lay-over. © ‘Chester picks: up his. flight from ‘L.A, while 1 might be more inclined ‘to use CPAir from Vancouver to Fiji changing flights in’ Nadi, It’s a lot more pleasant, changing planes in’a small airport like Nadi than fighting that behemoth better known as L.A. International. Compare attend any church there. Hospitality, as in Fiji, is a way of life. Chester tells me the islands take three times as long.as here because he MUST have a meal with every person he meets. “Damn near ruined my waistline, but how do you say‘No’?” Take casual clothes and an old pair of running shoes to walk the reef at low tide. There are no rockfish or jellyfish to sting but the ‘coral is sharp. I asked him = about hookworm - a nasty little creature that burrows into bare feet in the tropics and he told me that it is unheard- sO many ins and outs of fare scheduling I refuse to have anything to do with it. The changes that occur overnight can make liars out of all of us. Although the airfare isn’t peanuts, the cost of living once you arrive in the Cook Islands is a pleasant surprise. For example, you can buy fresh fish right off the dock for $1 a pound. Drinks in most bars are 60¢. The fruits and vegetables, all organically grown and delicious are reasonably priced. As I mentioned last column, condo units with kitchens are the norm. Chester | stresses that the Cook Islands “are super clean. Bugs are not a problem. They do get a few With my © Barry Hill. His company is “Dive Rarotonga.” A “Don’t Miss” is a flight to AITUTAKE' ISLAND. Two airlines do the trip (Cook Islands Air and Air Rarotonga) both reliable and the 45 minute flight is well worth the $100 price tag. If you are prepared for some primitive conditions (“No class” as opposed to first or second) take a trip on the SILK AND BOYD boats to the island of PUKA- PUKA. From what Chester says the craft are seaworthy but a horror story in ac- commodation. BUT, the island is worth every cent and every especially for of in the Cooks. by Ba rba ra luck, I'd find the first one. ~ costs, though. Chester quotes $900 The other problem often round-trip L.A. to faced by single travellers is Rarotonga, however, I'm AL Cc C eadie V.D. Chester couldn't only including that price as a a ‘7 oe believe the “Herpes” “possible” because there are ee problem over here after living in the Cook Islands. “Any sort of venereal disease mosquitoes at certain times is rare there, perhaps of the year but they aren't because the People are the disease-carrying variety. delightfully clean in their There are no snakes and no ___ personal habits.” I sincerely wild beasties to interrupt hope that no tourist comes your walk through the along with an infection to woods. pass. The climate stays a balmy Some things are very 85 degrees in the daytime expensive in the islands. If and the rains are warm. . you are a coffee addict, The church has a firm bring along your own as well hold on the life of the as some powdered coffee islanders. The -music, creamer. Dairy products are Chester tells me, is better mostly imported and than in Fiji and I don’t know ‘naturally the price reflects how that can be! A Fijian the transport cost. Give up village choir can make me _ root, vegies for the duration develop goose-bumps but, of your stay and avoid beef. having heard both, Chester Pork and fish are a bargain. votes for the Cook Islands. Scuba diving is You'll be welcomed as a_ magnificent and you can long-lost relative if you rent gear and boat from Positive sid eof Positive and practical uses of nuclear power? If you want to hear about this side of the nuclear question, you're invited to the University Women’s Club of Vancouver on November 9. The club will host a public lecture by Robert Lyon, head of the environment safety and = assessment branch of the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment at Pinawa, Manitoba. The free lecture starts at 8 p-m. at the club's headquarters, 1489 McRae Ave., Vancouver, roseway Suzanne Carson, CTC Senlor Consultant Nukes 18] paviiK SPECIALIZED TOURS LTD. 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Every visitor in good shape must try hiking to the “Needle.” It’s a seven mile - half vont endurance’ contest, straight up and the return straight down. Chester has _. done it a few times, knocking himself cold after falling down a cliff and — inconvenience, | unattached - C9 - Sunday, October 31, 1982 - North Shore News again, passing out from the exertion. I think that’s a hike I'd pass up but for the joggers among us, enjoy. A word about drugs in the Cook Islands. AREN'T. Anyone caught with so much as one seed is jailed until the next plane. Crime hardly exists. Let's keep it that way. They. Air Only WAIKIKI $569 15 Days, 14 Nights Air & Hotel Mo LAS VEGAS $219 5 Days. 4 Nights. Air & Hotel RENO $189 5 Days. 4 Nights. Air & Hote! TORONTO om $249 “MAPLE LEAF TRAVEL "736-355 ‘Rog. 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