42 — Sunday. October 7, 1990 - North Shore News

TRAVEL

It’s snow fun to be stranded
Prepare for wintertime

Barbara
NcCreadie

TRAVELWISE

FOR THE first time since
last spring I’ve got the fur-
hace on, and writing a col-
umn on winter travel is a
lot more appropriate than
when it’s hot and sunny.

Living on the coast, we don’t
give much thought to driving in
heavy winter conditions. Anti-
freeze and snow tires are usually
all we require and we hope we
won’t need either,

But some of us occasionally pile
into our cars and head for interior
paris of the continent where
weather conditions are not so gen-
tle. Many of us go completely un-
prepared for emergencies. Howev-
er, you dun’t have to be heading
for the snow country to run into
trouble — we were once maroon-
ed on the 1-5, just north of Bell-
ingham, for hours. | was wearing
a skirt, jacket and high heels and
practically froze to death. So,
even if you’re only taking a winter
jaunt down to Bellis Fair, take
care.

It’s a good idea to pack a
blanket or two in the trunk. Take
along hats, boots and mittens as
well — you never know when you
might have to take a hike.

The really smart traveller has a

shovel and a bag of sand stowed
away. He has some candles, a
couple of flares and a good
flashlight. His gas tank is full.
- He might even have a tin can
for melting snow (using a candle,
if necessary). That’s only for real
emergencies and after the big
thermos of hot coffee has run out.
He won’t starve, either, because
he’s packed a lunch — even a
couple of chocolate Sars are better
than nothing.

Children are especially vulner-
able to cold since a much larger
percentage of their bodies is skin.
Everyone loses the largest amount
of heat from the head, but
children are in the greatest danger.

Children also dehydrate quickly,
so it’s wise to carry a thermos of
some hot beverage that they en-
joy. Corva or hot lemonade come
to mind.

And, whenever you travel by
car, tell someone where you're g0-
ing and when you plan to arrive.
How can anyone help you if they
don’t know you're in trouble? Or
approximately where you might
be?

Use your head and plan for a
safe return.

Here’s a tip from a reader in-
volving another kind of winter
travel — Hawaii. They had an
overnight layover in Honolulu
Airport and took advantage of the
airport sleep/shower facilities in
the main terminal,

Instead of an expensive cab ride
to an expensive hotel in the city,
they paid $22.75 per person (plus
tax) for eight hours and reported
that the rooms are great —
spotless, quier, and well-equipped.

All the rooms are singles. They
ean be rented by the hour for $4

car travelling now

for a quick nap between flighis or
you can simply take a shower
break for $7.50 which includes a
complete selection of cosmetics,
shaving equipment and a_ hair
dryer.

To make an advance booking,
tel: 808-836-3044 or write’ Termi-
nal Box 42, Honolulu HI, 96819,
The former name of the facility is
The Shower Tree.

The map the reader sent me
shows the facility right in front of
the walkway leading to gates I4-
23.

I had quite a long letter from a
reader warning about the fine
print in health-related trip
cancellation insurance. They had
booked and paid for a Hawaiian
holiday along with friends who
were a family of three.

Just a week before departure
the father of the family had
emergency surgery and the family
had to cancel. Their claim for a
rebate was refused on the grounds
that his blood pressure medication
had been changed four months
prior, thus falling into the grey
area of **pre-existing condition.”’

When they purchased the
policies they were not advised
about this clause and didn’t real-
ize they were buying a policy un-
suited to their needs.

If you have been treated for any
condition in the six months prior
to booking a vacation be sure that
your trip cancellation AND ex-
tended medical policy does not in-
clude a ‘pre-existing condition”
clause.

This is especially necessary for
anyone being treated for anything
chronic.

The best person to purchase
travel policies from is the agent
who handles all your other in-
surance business. First, he has a
very good financial reason for
making sure that you're properly
covered. He has access to a wide
number of firms providing a lot
of different forms of coverage.

Be very sure you specify a poli-
cy free from the loophole.

Some travellers like nothing
better than educational travel. |
Suspect that they feel guilty about
travelling for R & R — and I
must admit to being a bit that way
myself.

I’m the sort of traveller who
relishes museums, crams up on the
history of his destination and

drags his reluctant
daily march.

family on a

I just received a brochure from

the Smithsonian

Institution

in

Washington, D.C. announcing a

Caribbean
& Amazon River

2 for

1

Stella Solaris

14 days

Jan. 5/91

from $6055 Cdn.

inct round trip air from Van.

Book Now

Limited Space

Discover Your World
1295 Marine Dr., N.Van.

280-4526

Sailing Sept. 21, 1991 on the magnificent
“Crown Odyssey” from Venice, visiting
Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Rome, Nice,
Maiaga to Lisbon
Join us on Thursaay, Oct. 14,
7:30 p.m. in the lower activity room of
St. David's Church, Upper Levels &
Taylor Way, West Vancouver

Door Prizes

Refreshm

Admission $3.00
(refundable on booking)

ents

spring cruise — ‘The Splendors
of Italy’ abourd the Argonaut —
a luxury 125-passenger yacht.
Dates are May 5-22, 1991.

Anything sponsored by the

eruiseciiipeenters

S¢ you can afford a
vacation
You can afford a

cruise vacation

For more details cal!
985-7447 (SHIP)
1823 Capilano Rd.

CRUISE MASTERS
Invite You
toa
GALA CRUISE NIGHT
featuring
MEDITERRANEAN
HIGHLIGHTS

RSVP.
0226-43.44

sew Tine:

mB HACIENDA

B TRAVELODGE

B QUALITY INN 5499 $699 f
B INTERNATIONAL $499 $699 ,

B 110 East 14th St ,
cil 9861977

Smithsonian is first class all the
way and includes top-flight in-
structors too. Naturally, it’s ex-
pensive — $7,860 U.S. 10 $8,560
— but is pretty well all-inclusive
with air from New York, all
hotels and the cruise. All but three
meals are included. Tips, laundry
and bar bills are extra.

If you're interested, write for
the brochure: Smithsonian Na-
tional Associate Program,
SmithsoniantInstitution,
Washington, D.C. 20560

sea VENTURE TRAVEL|

MAZATLAN

Save up to $420 per couple!
1 WEEK 2 WEEKS §

499 $599 |

LAS PALMAS

wee OPO $599 $599
dome $529 5639 §

AIR ONLY $399 $399

Departs Vancouver Saturdays
October 13, 20, 27

PUERTO VALLARTA

Save up to $520 per couple! §
4 WEEK 2 WEEKS

puenaventura °499 5599 g
LA JOLLA DE
MISMALOYA $649 5899

AIR ONLY 5419°5419"

Departs Vancouver Saturdays
October 13, 20, 27*°

+ Apolies @ Cotober 20, 27 any
** October 2? — 7 and 15 Nights packages

PALM SPRINGS |

Save up to $340 per couple!
1 WEEK 2 WEEKS

399 $529

SAN TROPEZ (Quad) 5479 $669

2 Bedroom Candy With Car
Oeparts Vancouver 9.00 am Saturdays Weekly
November 10 to December 15

Prices are per person/
double occupancy

Your Personal “Love My Hyundai” Coupon ,
FREE 20-POINT INSPECTION’ - NO CHARGE

Includes: Belts, radiator hoses, heater hoses, all oil levels, ail fluid levels, all exterior lights, tuel filter, air

cleaner filter. exhaust system, steering linkage. driveshaft/universal joints, coolant strength, front/rear
suspension, shock absorbers, tires, battery cables/connections, brakes, PCV valve, wiper blades, test driver".

With ereny coupon redeemed, fill in your name and address and get a chance to win a Weekend-for- Tivo to Las \ egas!
Coupons available at Summit Hyundai Service Department.

your HYUNDAI

% #% Superstore

cuakir

HYUNDAI

Open Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5:00 Sat. 10:00-2:00 15 minutes from North Vancouver

41606 E. HASTINGS ST., VANCOUVER 253-9583