Pelangi vacation will soothe weary travelers LANGKAWI — Every so often the jaded traveller comes across a special place that makes him want to SLOP, rest and recover the spark of enthusiasm. Such a gem is Pelangi Beach Resort, which could be your salvation on an Asian tour. The fact is that most tourists *tdo" several countries at once because it’s a long way, expensive and who knows when you'll be back. Many return exhausted from jeUag and in a daze from seeing too much too quickly. You know the routine: if this is Sunday this must be Singapore, or is it Sarawak, or Selangor? Langkawi is just’ north of Penang and about the same size, but with only a handful of people. Like Bali it has water-buffalo in the fields, although is not as pret- ty. There is, however, a pleasant golf course where caddies charge $2 a round. Pelangi is world-class: 137 Malay-style bungalows on a great beach, with a big pocl and palm trees and a vista that will take your breath away. The restaurant is all carved wood panels, ever-open shutters and a patio where you can dine by candielight. The disco actually caters to humans over 25. All this for about $120 a night, or a third of what you'd pay for the same thing in Hawaii, if it ex- isted. Pelangi is run by the slick Mandarin Singapore group, who also have the stunning new Mutiara Beach Hotel in Penang, the latter with rooms like the Halekulani in Waikiki and jeeps a la Los Brisas in Acapulco. Seven or eight years ago places like this did not exist in Malaysia, but a .ecession turned the govern- ment on to tourism. Malacca, the old Portuguese trading post, and Penang’s beaches had long been popular among expatriates in Asia. Now the country is awash in European tourists including a weekly planeload of Finns and so many Germans the hotel can’t keep up with the wake-up calls. Kuala Lumpur has sophisticated hotels such as the Pan Pacific with butlers on the executive floor, and an elegant new Regent. To help keep the hotels full the government has decreed this as Visit Malaysia Year, which means there will be lots of cultural and fun events such as the national pastimes of kite flying and top spinning, bird singing contests, or- chid shows, marathons and sultans’ birthdays. This is in addition to the usual touristic pursuits of exploring AN EASTER VACATION Surround yourself with the spec- tacular beauty of nature while relaxing in comfortable accommodation. April 13-15/90 From $129.95 dbl. occupancy includes 3 nights accommodation with 3 breakfasts and ] Easter } dinner. Call for reservations 245-2211 Toll free 1-800-663-7327 Vancouver 266-2213 3068 Yellowpoint Road, RR *3 ). Ladysmith, B.C. VOR 2E0 Georgetown in Penang, whose Chinatown is one of the best in David Wishart fT Asia, admiring the old and new architecture of Kuala Lumpur, and riding trishaws among the frenzied traffic of Malacca. The old Malacca Club, immor- talized by Somerset Maugham, has been converted into an in- dependence museum. Sound and Light shows are held across the street, although the stri- dent nationalism and anti-British tone moved one Australian (not always known for leaping to the defence of the downtrodden Poms) to say the production had more political fiction than historical value. Malaysia. made up of in- digenous Malays, Chinese and In- dians, is a multi-cultural mix. So far, everyone seems to get on well, although there is scope for prob- lems in the future as the Muslim Malays have the majority, the Chinese the money, and the In- dians are strongly represented in the professions. So now is the time to go, while the country is en fete and the natu- rally friendly Malaysians spill over with graciousness, so that they come up to visitors in the streets and say how glad they are to see them. Even the taxi drivers are polite (unlike Sydney, London, New York...). Don't dream of going via Los Angeles, however, as that makes an already agonizing journey even more painful, and Malaysian Airlines has a nasty habit of cancelling your reservations if you don’t reconfirm every hour on the hour. But Malaysia, as the ads say, is fascinating, particularly when you follow in Robinson Crusoe’s steps to Pelangi. OUT OF AFRICA Laugh through a fun lecture and slides on Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana (where they were chased bya buffalo [Ry Saan 10 weeks ago), Swaziland, Transkel, Zululand gi us and South Africa. Your Hosts: Date: March 22 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Howe Sound Travel, Horseshoe Bay Limited Seating -—- Reservations a must — call Shirley Anne 921-6668, cost $4.00 Pam & Alan Shearar the children, as well as unlimited use of our health spa, with indoor swim- ming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and weight room. PO. Box 3000, 240 Dogwood St., Parksville, 8.C. Any 3 nights April 12 to 16 3 Nights, 3 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners From $185 Per Person/Double Occupancy $62 children under 12 sharing parents’ room Enjoy 4 days on beautiful Parksville Bay. Your inclusive package includes 3 nights accommodation, rcom tax, 3 buffet breakfasts, 2 dinners including a traditional Easter fare diniier in Heron's dining room, egg-hunt with the Easter Bunny for peayside inn