“ would get. =. Uookey tau,” Plantation Isiand a slice of real paradise | From nage 35 ing mosquitoes are much more likely. Radio reports said Gavin was rated four out of five on the hurricane scale. Squashed in a room with 7 agers, we wondered how (39:3 things _ Arationed number of hand- held candles revealed’ patient ” faces, some white with fear, *. "The resore’s in-house band squeezed into the room. They ‘smiled, strumuned their guitars :-- and invited everyone to sing a snappy fishing song. made . famous by Elvis Presley i in Blue Hawaii: “Oh, we’re going’ toa they sang. “A footy. hooky, _ hooky lau,” ed the crowd. | a Children, parents, couples, mostly..ffom: Australia and Canada, *. plus. an’. elderly Swedish ‘couple — everyone were down There would be no help fe “outside. .No_ cmer- Eppa off. N No medical staff to ‘attend: to. casualties: Chin y Many, however, “quietly “won- esponse if the roof «- socien tage oe cozy room but was deemed much safer.” Gavin’s estimated time of arrival was noon. Nobody knew what to expect. Many thought the storm would blow in fast and hard, then leave. Instead, it built gradually and with life-threatening force. The sky grew dark and angry. Waves licked the floor. Saity, wind-swept rain pelted through the doorless copra shed’s central corridor. The ing began. People chatted, read, sipped drinks. ‘A man in a Tilley hat and his wife said they were from Saskatoon and were used ‘to hurricanes as they gently sipped some red wine. Many just sat quietly at the south end .. Of the building where the shut- ters remained open, providing a ~. cinematic view of Gavin’s fury. - It was a long night. The storm intensified over. five - hours before.1t crashed in full force at.5 p.in., then raged for another 12 ‘Hours. Exhausted but unharmed vacationers were to return to their rooms at about 11 ata 1 ese trips were t was pitch black outside. The beach was littered with obstacles and’ falling trees. We linked arms to - rot At Plantation Island the evacuation was on. People had the option to remain or leave. Most departed. The place was devastated. The pretty hibiscus flowers used in lei-making sessions only a few days ago had disappeared. Beach chairs protruded from the sand on the debris-laden beach. The boats were dam- aged. Activities and trips to other islands were cancelled. It was hot but the air-condition: 4}. ing wouldn’t work. Meal NEWS photos Ann Hamilton In Fiji, Plantation. Island’s beach-front rooms are biocked by tropical debris caused by Cyclone Gavin. We made it to find the floor was flooded to just above our ankles. We were thick with sand in our hair and clothes but couldn’t clean up because’ the water was off. No complaints. We were unharmed, fairly safe and had a dry bed to crash on. Gavin remained with us for another day. We bailed water from the room and watched it fill up again at high tide. After . two full days of pouring rain, falling debris. flooding, and some pretty darn scary hours, the sun. came out. rts said Cyclone Gavin claimed 24 lives. ‘Twelve went missing in a fishing boat. options were limited and at times the power and water went off. _ Throughout the ordeal, k-wever, the Fijians were friendly, helpful and _ tireless. Nary a meal was missed. They served refreshments and smiles the entire time. Incredibly, things were almost back to nor- mal within a few short days. We never considered. leaving. It ‘¢lidn’t make sense to us. The worst was over. Now patience paid off. Tropical paradise, in all ber glory, was restored. The beach- es were well-coiffed, full menus: were on offer, the banana boat |. beckoned, the challenge of ~ waterskis was irresistible, |= beachcombing was the best and ‘snorkeling trips were ‘tke swim- ming in a giant tropical aquari: =i um. : A new batch. of ‘guests. : arrived and were greeted - remaining -20-or-so._ of “us: proudly: wearing T-shirts’ that -- read “I survived Cyclone Gavin. ” We shared our stories, sipped. drinks, ‘lau exchanged E-mai and slat as our skins turned tawny. ’. Loosened_ coconuts ‘co tin said Steve as he scooped up the fruit, punctured the top’ of: it with is swiss . army : in a straw an oven We clinked our, ythe | Ean cred on #45, sunscreen ~ .. they would see. tomor- : __kecp..from blowing away in — t, wind that reached 220k *an~ hour.’ Sand-blasted, we - hunched forward, It. was a ‘Paint frightening fight to the Pps Hearings are scheduled to provide an opportunity for Council to hear from those who believe their interest in property may be affected by changes to this Bylaw, as outlined. at right. ‘ ge on top of. . tien ‘convenc. in -the _BEDDING ‘AUTHORED DEALER FOR ~ On' Tuesday, April 22 7:00 p.m. Council Chamber, 355 W. Queens Rd., North Vancouver this Bylaw Council will also be considering amendments to the pminee Licence Bylaw to regulate the licensing of bed and breakfast businesses his Public Hearing is held under the provisions of the Municipal Act. ‘All persons who believe their interest in property may be affected by the above proposal will be afforded an opportunity to be heard in person and/or by written submission. Written submissions will be accepted up to the conclusion of the Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 22, 1997, Cores of the Bylaw, resolutions, supporting staff reports and any relevant background material are available for review in the District of North Vancouver's Clerk's Office or Planning Department Monday through Friday, except statutory holidays, April 9 10 April 22, 1997, inclusive, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at tic Municipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, B.C. Dennis W. Back, Municipal Clerk, April 11, 1997 " occupation in single Tamily residential buildé “