C14 - Wednesday, December 14, 1983 - North Shore News Toes —“SSCOC“C‘(N’NC.CLL - Escape the Christmas turmoil With a tropical vacation IT MAY BE the **season to be jolly’’ but for many people Christmas is a dirty trick played on them by merchants, Santa Claus, radio stations, newspapers and _tele- vision programmers. There’s not much to be a lonely family, or make gifts for some _ underprivileged kids. I’d even put an ad in the paper — lonely isn’t unique. In fact, I think it’s become an epidemic with splintered mar- riages, global kids and isolated relatives. ee travel- generally well booked. Mind you, a seat for one is usually easier to get than Hawaii bookings for a family of eight. There will be last minute cancellations but you may not know if you’ll need your skis or your sun tan oil until the last minute. If you want to say ‘‘bah! humbug!’’ to the whole Christmas scene your best bet around before booking you. If you can take a little Christmas spirit, well diluted with sun and surf, Hawaii offers as much or as little as you’d care for. Most of the condominiums have tree- trimming parties for the residents but you don’t have to go. Still, you might meet all sorts of people who are in Celebration there. 1 don’t know if I’d choose it, but many convents and other religious communities offer ‘‘retreats’’. Many peo- ple rave about the feeling of inner peace they’ve ex- perienced after a while away from home and problems. Cali the nearest head office of a church of your choice. WAIKIKI Als only WAIKIKI $459 8 Days, 7 Nights Air & Hotel LAS VEGAS $279 _ § Days, 4 Nights, Air & Hotel RENO $199 5 Days, 4 Nights, Air & Hotel the same boat and spend the Christmas, as we know it, » jolly about when you’ve is a country that doesn’t best Christmas in years. is a North American/ Nor- TORONTO $289 got no friends or family e celebrate Christmas. Iran Some resorts are favored thern European tradition. wise comes to mind. Sorry - by Jewish people who have Other countries don’t make to share the turkey or maybe Morocco or Tunisia celebrated Hanukka early but the same production number MAPLE LEAF pick that special gift would be a better choice. | are vacationing over the about a religious holiday. TR AVEL for. don’t know about Christmas Christmas break. Florida I hope my caller thinks it decorations in Bankok or comes to mind as a favored over. It’s more rewarding to 1 had a call from a lady in Bombay but I'd be willing to spot. Watch, though. You _ be busy than to sit in the sun 736-3555 distress this week. Her mar- bet that you could forget the might wind upinaresort that and reflect on why you’re do- riage had split, her only son is season effectively in either favors couples or families ing this all by yourself. And, Reg. Agent 157-3 travelling somewhere in Asia place. and you'd feel like the only it’s not so tough if you can and her best friends are spen- Wherever there’s snow, soprano at a Stag dinner. plan something special for ding Christmas in the East there’s bound to be some The real key is having early January, or even Box- with their relatives. ‘‘I was Chnistmasy feeling about the something to do. Reno and_ ing Day if you can’t wait. going to be brave as hell but place. Warm chmates are bet- Las Vegas offer plenty of it’s more than | can manage. ter all around. that and after a few minutes I don’t want to hear about There are many singles you don’t notice the Rudolph. I don’t want to see resorts that don’t cater to Christmas Carols on the a happy family scenes on TV families. These are a better Musak. Nobody playing the and I don’t want to be the on- b B b choice than those that do. I slots at dinnertime on the ly single at the office party. yy paroara think I'd head for Beach- 25th is about to bother you , Yy anywhere to wit ° comber Island in Fiji — they with a= recitation of my son but | haven’t heard M cCr eadie celebrate Christmas but you Christmas Carol. Take a from him since early (yee can be sure that it's not high minute to consider your in- November. I’ve got vacation priority with the clientele or terests - bridge? Look for a time owed to me and I can af- they'd be home hanging cruise. History? Better in ford to go just about But, my caller didn't fancy holly. southern Europe than in the anywhere.’”’ any of my = suggestions, Some of the singles resorts north. For example, Italy. I told her what I'd do! I'd preferring to take her chances cater to a young crowd and They don’t make much of a volunteer my services to the with some place far from someone my age-andalone- production about Christmas, Salvation Army, or deliver home. But, where? wouldn’t be comfortable. but be gone by New Year’s food hampers. Maybe adopt Christmas flights are Have your travel agent check eve - that’s the family Little b t that id THE ST. ROCH, a short, trip through the Northwest 1954 and made a _ national about Canada’s national CLUTCH PU RSES two-masted schooner, was Passage, the ship left Van- histomc site in) Vancouver, historic parks and sites, con- : the first ship to sail the Nor. couver in June 1940 on what British Columbia. Parks tact Parks Canada Informa- with Memory Calculators thwest Passage in both direc proved to be a 28-month Canada has restored the St non, 220 Fourth Avenue uons; first to travel the nor yourney. The return tmp in) Rochto her 1944 appearance S.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2P f SAO thern deep-water route; first 1944 took only 86 days Audio-visual displays and 3H8 of Parks Canada QOt- Starting rom to complete the passage in a Her sturdy hull was built) guided tours describe her 1l- tawa, KIA 1G2. single season and first to cit of thick Douglas fir reinforc- lustrious past and her con- atti cumnavigate North America ed with heavy beams. Never a tribution to arctic explora- Excellent Gift! The St. Roch was built in vessel of great comfort or tion in Canada. Vancouver in 1928 for the beauty, the St- Roch was call- St. Roch National Historic Keep Canada R.C.M.P. and carmed out ed “‘the ugly duckling’’ by Site, alongside the Maritime 922-9650 annual patrol and supply her skipper, Staff Sargeant Museum in downtown Van- Beautiful —_ . voyages in the Western Aruc — Henry Larsen couver, 1s open year-round 844 Park Royal North, West Van. for two decades. On the first The St. Roch was retired in For more information = ~ “Supporting Our Seniors The advertisers below entitle any senior citizen to a minimum 10% discount on advertised merchan- dise in their stores. Seniors must show pharmacare card. GIFTS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS COLLECTORS ITEMS EVERYDAY !S SENIORS DAY 20 % OFF ALL ITEMS 15% OFF vee All drycleaning done on the premises ty ATE Oe ASS RA baba eae 1 O% discount to senior citizens vin Te INE RRC Oe es, = Srystall GLASS (bulk cleaning not inctuded) CAROUSEL CLEANERS ve nenesers FOR. temeren Park Royal North 922-4811 Hae BO pee et, Diamond and Gemstone Spectalists 1598 Lonsdale Ave NV 988-4717 Da STORE THAT KEEPS NORTH VANC OUINER LICKING, AND TALKING 152 Pemberton Ave NV 980-4804 ‘Items in this feature are discounted 10% for seniors.