32 - Sunday, November 23, 1997 ~ North Shore News north shore news We've got the North Shore covered “Independently owned & operated” A Prime Travel BRR Mercury Travel £ side aa NIAES "Edgemont Village Taaves any cabise Conrady aS a een 985-6131 ‘Panorama Travel Pavilk Travel Aquarius Travel At theSaimon Hquse | -Deép : 9252677 929-7911 926-8651. Photos submitted THE SS independence lies off the Kona coast of Big Island of Hawaii. En route.on the cruise ship from Hilo to Kona, travel writer David Wishart sailed close to the Big isiand where Kilauea was erupting in a rim of fire. | Cruising, Hawaiian-style NORTH SHORE TRAVEL NEWS $77.1 million is spent each year on personal air travel and package tours by the North Shore residents. To reach this market of globe trotters, place your ads ONE thing about oid ships, they have won- derful deep, throaty whistles that start in an engine room pow- ered by steam and are mellowed in pipes run- ning up funnels caked with the salt of the seven seas. The Independence is like that, buile in 1950 for American Export Lines to speed from New York to Naples, sister ship to the _.. Constitution which took Grace Kelly to Europe for her fairy tale wedding and was also che floating set for An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant. If this was the only way to cross, it was not for long. Jets made passenger liners redundant, and both ships had a variety of owners and peripatetic routes before being bought by America Hawaii Cruises in 1980. ‘The Constitution, sadly, has just been consigned to a break- er’s yard, but the Independence sails on, a rare classic in an era of the quick-build, squeaky-whistle cruise ship. ———— What’s more, it is a sea- kindly vessel with the deep hull of a liner that slices through the sometimes tur- bulent seas around Hawaii, such as the channel between Oahu and Kauai where we cruised the morning after departure. Back in 1796, 18 years after Cape Couk’s first landing, King Kamehameha’s army of 10,000 warriors in 1200 canocs abandoned an inva- sion attempt on Kauai when a storm swamped the van- guard of his fleet. Our arrival av Kauai was on schedule, the breakwater being negotiated with bow and stern-thrusters, handy gadgets thar came after both the old king and the vessel’s launch. It has been updated in the right areas, not with a casino or glitzy night club, r7N » but my cabin was roomy, comfortable, and the shower worked better than Mitzi Gaynor’s. Decor throughout the ship is Hawaiian and done very nicely, particularly pub- lic rooms with exhibits by Honolulu’s splendid Bishop Museum. A kumu, Hawaiian teacher, is on board, ukulele lessons are offered and you can even learn the hula. Hokey it’s not. | was pre- pared for the worst excesses of shopping mat! Hawaiiana and came away impressed if not enchanted. They've even got the carpets right: show- ing whales swimming towards the bow. Youd be amazed how big a help this is in finding the right way to walk, and Pm not just talking about after happy hour. The passengers were a mixed bunch, mostly retired bar with a fair number of newlyweds having a honey- moon in paradise. Many people, such as a Swiss couple, were combin- ing the cruise with a few days ashore before or after- wards. Az the same time the generous shore time allows passengers to explore Hawaii by helicopter, biplane, See Exploring page 41 where the readership is. north shore THERE'S SOMETHING SUITE OPENING IN WHISTLER Special Introductory offer from December 1 - December 18. Introducing Whistler's very first Full Service, 207 Suite hotel. Providing Delta guests with luxurious surroundings and Health Club facilities, and all the comforts of home including kitchens in every suite. Set in the heart of the village, and just a short walk to bath Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain Gondolas, the suites are surrounded by shopping, trendy dining and exciting nightlife, Ask about our January specials, too! or your local travel agent. ADelia Whistler Village Suites Terms: Prices based on double occupancy in a 1 bedroom suite. Taxes not inctuded. Subject ta availability. For new bookings only. MUST PURCHASE BEFORE OECEMBER ist, 1997. 100% non-refundable after payment. a « Of q | = _ pnere Bip hy RY ‘Sa new wave of fun #f)isneyland. days for the price of two!* For Disneyland Flex Passport and holiday package information, call 1-800-315-3824 or your travel agent. It's time to catch the wave of fun at Disneyland Park. Make sunny Southern California your next holiday destination. Experience the mountains, the beaches and a land with a magic all its own. And with a Disneyland Flex Passport you'll enjoy five consecutive “Some restictions apply. www.disneyland.com ODisney