PAGE 2, THE HERALD, Wednesday, December 21, 1977 TRAVEL SECTION Cruising: on a popularity wave Under a full head of steam, the T.S.S, Fairsea gets under way for distant places, Cruising, according to ex- perts in the travel business, is winning a surprising num- people meet peopie. There are certainly worse ways of shrugeng off the ef- ber ofnewenthusiaststhese fects of future shock, the days. Sailingsin manyareas _— frenetic whirl of business, of the world arereportedto and the problems of living be well booked, and this has . for those who need it. And it can be a suspended encouraged a number of existence — half the time is shipping lines to renovate and build better liners. The between ports — for those reason this is surprising is _—‘ttrying to get themselves to- that not many years ago _— gether. cruising was just about Of course, there’s more to cruising than itsreal orimag- ined therapeutic advan- tages. The emphasis is ob- viously stillon the travel ele- ment because the passenger does have the opportunity to explore exciting cities — exciting becaufe ‘they've ‘grown up beside the sea given up as a dead cause: now, it seems, there’s still a good deal of life in this form of travel. What is it that is bringing travellers back to the sea? Certainly not speed in this age of the supersonic Con- corde. And itisn'teconomy, when youcan zipacrossthe aver the centuries, and have Atlantic and back for just _—_— participated in mucli of the over $300 these days. action of history. Even for the passenger who remains on board, though, the har- bour area is a fascinating focal point of commerce. Even though it will never be cheap, cruising has re- cently become good value for the middle-income mass market, whereas formerly it was inclined to be the pre- serve of the wealthy. Cruises are changing too, no fonger does the main theme have to be only tran- quil or hectic fun and sun. Educational, sports and un- usual photographic cruises are becoming popular. For example, Sitmar is of- fering a series of “Scienceat Sea” lectures. One 11 day cruise from $765 to $1615 and a 17 day cruise from $1345 to $2625. Both cruises will offer an oppor- the more exotic dishes. Af- _ tunity to view the phenome- ter-dinner dancing in a non of a total eclipse of the nightclub atmosphere con- = sun. trasts with the soft moonlit On board Sitmar's Fair- sea outside. And inevitably, wind, passengers will learn No, the appeal of cruising is, and always has been, that you can travel and take your comfortable “world” with you. The ports change and you are moving through time and space, but you re- main surrounded by hotel- like luxury where every- thing is familiar and as orderly as you want it. Cruising has to be the most relaxed way of getting about the world’s most pleasant waters. Warm sun- shine is practically a guer- anteed daily event. Passen- gers can choose their own shipboard pace, from com- plete indolence to a fren- zied schedule. Days are punctuated by ambitious mealtimes, where the choice usually runs from substantial familiar fare to A“holiday home” away from hore HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT SWApr- PING YOUR HOME with someone far away as ameans of arranging a comfortable and inexpensive summer holiday? Charles and Marion Woolley, Gulf Islanders off the British Columbia coast, did just that a few years ago, following Mr. Woolley’s retirement from the airline and travel industry. They liked the entire concept so much that they have now become ownersof their own Canadian-based home- exchange program. “LOTS OF PEOPLE PREFER A HOME atmosphere to costly hotel or motel accommodation with limited facilities, particularly during a long vacation,” said Mr. Woolley, “While we are based in Canada, we operate in other countries,” he explained. “We have subscribers in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and the United Kingdom.” The service the Woolleys offer is basic, in that they publish a Canadian Holiday Home Exchange Directory, both for parties wishing to offer their own homes in ex- change for other holiday residences listed in the direc- tory, and to others interested simply in finding out what is on the market. OBTAIN A LISTING by supplying a basic description of the home and whatever extra amenities are offered such as use of a car, for a fee of $15.00, A photo of the home may be included in the directory for an extra $5.00. Subscribers are also asked to list their own country of preference for their holiday. Interested pines wishing only to heve a capy of the directory pay . photographic cruises with - demonstrations and lee: 1 Phone listed for yoor customers ‘Competent help iin short supply At a time when unemployment has at- tracted national at- tention, Canada’s small business. community continues to suffer from a shortage of help. This striking discovery is only one of the important results from the d quater survery only one of the important results from the third quarter survery af members’ concerns conduc y Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the national voice of ‘small business. members surveyed, lack of competent help ranked as the most pressing problem. Another 12.5. per cent of the members regarded the manpower shortage as their second most important concern. “Our employment crisis is aged only a personal for the unem- B nyed, » stated John , President of the Federation, after the results were tabulated, “but alg fepresents a - Bullock went on to attack institutional inefficiencies. ‘To face shortages of skilled workers at a time of high employment is a shocking indictment of our educational system, now the Mayans predicted agent whohasthe informa- Canada Manpower and eclipses, why scientists are _ticn at his fingertips. our apprenticeship calling ourplanet'Spaceship Know what you're getting stem. For the past Earth,’ What effect the and getting into, Check if decade, Canada has changing sun is having on the air is included'in the directed resources cur climate,howmanisdo- price —askifthereisaspe- towards social progratns, ingin hissearchforextrater- cial prémotionat air fare, health care, unem- restrial life andhowtopho- there often is. See exactly ployment insurance, indexed pensions and so n-while tens of millions of workers in the far east ‘and south-east Asia have where your shipboard ac- .. comnicdation will be on a deck-by-deck chart of the ship, and compare it with tograph the stars. Additional Jectures . will cover the Viking landings on Mars, past and future eclipses, thé civilizations of © whatever else is available. been acquiring work Mexico and Central Amer- | Most ships are air condi- skills, self-discipline and ica and a special'report on ‘tioned {but make sure) in organizational know-how. “The Panama Canal: Politi © watm-weather areas these. cal Hotspot and‘Engineer- days," so-some of:the old- In other words ing Masterpiece.” fashioned preferenceforan ,Canadians have lost Cunard have offeredspe- outside cabinnolongerap> much of the deter- cial cruises for “Senior Citi- zens” with group’activities and lecturgs geared to sen- iors.’ Cunard also offers plies; but to succeed that view onal Beaaeyan & hag Winderscored our which makes them'lessex- sucess in the past. The pensive. development of a new _Also, make sure that the ustzial strategy must facilities and details men- place’ considerable noted photographers giving é s tioned in the travel bro- emphasis on instilling tures, chure for the cruise actually -discipline in our work _ There is a special cruise applytotheshipyouwillbe —force, Manpower to Bermuda by Cunard of: on. Thisisi¥tamatterofde- retraining is required if fering special ‘golf andten- _ceptive advertising; ‘it's just ve ho to solve our nis facilities‘both'on board —_ that there are differences in ioyment problem. ‘and at the-point of arrival, ships operated by the same we vi not ibe able to ‘Carnival cruises offer full —_ fine. resolve . in - gambling casinos: and top... .But probably the wisest stituonally-based name country and western groups. . Two Canadjan tour oper: * ators aré Offering some phe- nomenal packaged cruise “warning: the experts have for the traveller who has ‘Emised before is this:never move down the ladder in your style of cruising. In pecan ta protllem ae re . Inflation remains the foremost concern of buys... Suritours to*Yugo-. -otherwordsifyourmemory Small business, 20.4 pre slaviaandthe Greek Islands of cruising is based onfirst' cent of the survey ($499 including air). Strand class accommodation on a res onses ranked in- Tours tothe, Caribbean and . reputable. ship, stay first- on as the top issue. Aasthes 15.9 per cent regard inflation as the second most important issue The resulta coincide with a recent South America (from §399° to $1019 including air), the - Mediterranean from $699 including air. se fig ‘ It cruising: apnea sto ou, ’ Class, or move'up to deluxe; economy class will likely be a disappointment for you. By and large, cruise pas- 3 Sengers get what they pay there are a fewtipsyoucan’ ~ for. It’s ‘always been that | Federation survey which take from the experts toen- way. What is different these revealed that an over- surethatyourjnyestmentin . daysisthatmorepeopleare whelming majority (65 a vacation: voyage jives up . taking the: cruise option, - cent) of small to your expectations. First paying the price, and enjay- esses would prefer of all, get the facts about the ing every minute of the ship- to see anti-in ation board experience. -. controls retained. cruise froma reliable travel Other matters . of conern to the small business, in ‘order of importance, include: government ulations . ne “flnancing The Wooileys. fe not become involved in the actual and interes rates, taxes home exchange ftself, leaving this to the subscribers " “dnel tax returns), to Work out among themselves. ne competition from big - Brochures, including the application form, are avail- - business and government and the cost of labour Gineluding . minimum wage). able BY pa ene Holiday Home Exchange, .O. Box: ;Ganges, B.C OS LE; or by teléphonina (604) 537°5875: ‘New Business’s Not listed in our ‘B.C, Tel Directory. E. MARR. DISTRIBUTORS LTD. - 638-1761 “ MARK’S BOOKKEEPING & y: ACCOUNTING - 638-1761 Wer re eeecntn BURNER SERVICES - 635-4224 | ‘BOOK NOOK - 635-3083 Listed RHETT BLADES OCCIDENTIAL LIFG ~ 635-8757 Here!: “FHREE RIVERS WORKSHOP . wana _ ALL-WEST GLASS - 638-1105 Free - for ONE month courtesy of THE ‘ : DAILY HERALD If you wish'yobr. iusiness ‘Please Call 635-6357 ren roa : fi competent yge For 16.3 per cent of the . UVic Studies _ Seaweed Potential A University of Vie- toria biologist is ogist is studying, ways of taming the wild seaweed of B.C.’s coastal waters for commercial Since 1970, Dr. Alan Austin has bee collaborating with the provincial government on a pioneer resource study of the plant which grows in abundance in this province’s rich, cold coastal waters. “We are getting to the threshold of the industrial use of seaweed in B.C.” says Dr. AUSTIN. “If we study the resource now we cane presumable develop it and learn to grow and harvast it as a renewable tamelife, rather than a wildlife resource.” Agar and other plant gums and gels from seaweed are important substances in a wide cariety of commercial products ranging from yogart and cream cheese pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Countries such as Denmark have industries based on the extraction of these substances. Dr. Austin and his research assistance, UVIC graduate student Robert Adams, are now distilling their findings into a _ publication designed to be useful to a wide audience. including fishermen, businessmen and the general public. Their work has produced reports, field data and maps of marine vegetation . assembled eat colour and infrared otographs. * The data in the ma mapa can provide the basis overnment regulation of eseaween resource and guidance commercial alterations and pollution, such as oil spills, says Dr. Austin. “Even if we are lucky and no pollution occurs, the seashore vegetation zones can be reflown and rema at extended time intervals giving us inforamtion not now available about long term changes in this sensitive and productive coastal vegetation.” . + Austin points out that the cultivation of nts in water is still in ts infancy, but the ar opinion Peemeed has come a ong way from the day only a few phyc ogists seaweed scientists) took is seriously. Net only are more hyeologit. realizing algae have significant potential in the production of useful organic mater or biomass, but engineers industrialists an governments are also sitting up and — notice, he says. “This is organic matter proheed by many lants has the tential for conversion fo fuels such as methane or alcohol on a renewable tential not “Dr. Austin says that “it is just possible that the extensive sheltered inlets ans sounds, unique to the Pacific coast of B.C.. might one day harbour marine flelds of cultivated domesticated algae, supplying a part of what seems to be our societies’ inexhaustible needs with regard to food and fuel. Yellowhead highway association new officers for 1978 listed Following is a list of the recently elected officers and directors of the Yellowhead Inter-provinclal Highway Officers-1978 President-Mr.. Dave Maroney Past-President-Mr. Paul Schab Association 1978; First Vice-President- Forgrave “i. Jan Mr. Mr. Tom Secretary-Treasurer-Mr, ‘John Huzil B.C. Vice-President-Mr. Forget . . municipal leaders resident on or Albert Vice-President-Mr. George ; adjacent to the Yellowhead Highway Sankatcheyan Vice-President-Mr. ie Association is ing for a ‘Manitoba Vice-President-Mr. Jim better qua uality highway, promoting ita Burgess _ use and development.as a valua SIASEEN a aan wih, ‘Uhestor, Linda i ce-ch + ‘Directors-1978 scorelar Hes d < fies of a ; Mr.Peter Lester-Prince 8 B.C. ociation are at 614 McLeod 7 Mr. Alan Collett- Merritt. B.C.’ Edmonton, Alberta TSJ OP1 . Chuck Mr. Glen Lavold-Edmonton, Alberta Mr. Anton Sitar-Hinton, Alberta Mr. Leo LeClerc-Edmonton, Alberta - MacKenzie-Poratage la Prairie, Manitoba Barrie Saskatchewan My. Lynn Tokle- Radisson, Saskat- chewan Hodgson-Yorkton, The Board i is represented by sixteen MOS ' Quality you cantaste. FARE Pe PT A