Galway Advertiser 2003/2003_11_20/GA_2011_E1_024.pdf 

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24 F E A T U R E S

GALWAY ADVERTISER

November 20 2003

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Christmas on the slopes
Martina Forde Travel (091) 566866 has some great skiing and snowboarding offers. On December 20 there are flights to Austria B&B (369), and Livigno S/C, (399). On December 21 there are packages to Andorra S/C (349) or H/B (389), and Sauze D'Oulx S/C (359). Prices are for seven nights ex Dublin. Ski, snow-boarding packs and insurance extra.

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH JULIE TIERNEY

BYGONES
Nov 22 -- Thirty-nine years ago on Saturday, US President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, just months after he had visited Galway and given his `On a clear day you can see Boston' speech. Nov 25 -- Today is supposed to be the anniversary of the Great Flood. According to Time's Telescope published in 1830, the most experienced chronologists of that time reckoned that the flood began on this day 2,348 years before Christ, and in the year 1656 BC. Nov 27 -- Irish saint Fergil of Salzburg died on this day in 784. A highly educated man, known in Ireland as the Geometer, he left home in 742 and after some time travelling became abbot of Salzburg with the help of another Irishman known as Dubh na gCrioch. This arrangement though normal in Ireland at the time was unacceptable to Englishman St Boniface who complained to the Pope that Fergil or Virgilius as he was known, had accepted as valid a baptism administered in incorrect Latin. He was also accused of preaching about another world that lived beneath the earth. However, the Pope forgave him and insisted that he should be properly consecrated as bishop. His tomb was discovered in 1181 and miracles were reported to have happened there, resulting in his canonisation in 1233.

Around the world without a penny
In a world where vehicular mobility has become a necessity rather than a luxury, even walking for a short distance can seem burdensome to many. Frenchman Alain Bezard is not daunted by a lack of motorised transportation though, having crossed 60 countries primarily by foot or by hitchhiking. He also knows the value of simplicity because he travels without a penny in his pocket. "I don't believe in paying to see my own world," is his pet phrase. A lack of finances does not deter this citizen of the world, as he prefers to call himself. "My aim is to walk for a unified world, a world where man can explore countries, cultures, and ultimately himself without biases of any kind. Restrictions only hinder individuals' outlooks and hamper personal development," he says. Alain's wanderings started 25 years ago on October 8, 1978. Having lived for four years in Lapland, six in China, two with the Mudjahidden in Northern Pakistan, and three years in the Middle East, he ended up in the streets of London living with the homeless. "Back in 1997, I heard about all those rich people who were going to celebrate the millennium more being able to communicate with people no matter what their nationality or religion. On December 31 2000, Alain realised his dream by celebrating the millennium at the Bering Strait, first on the big Diomede Island belonging to Russia and then on the little Diomede Island belonging to the USA. This however did not signal the end of his travels. Since then, he has continued on his quest to spread the message of `Travelling the Blue Planet' to others. His most recent sojourn has led him into Ireland where he and his current travel mate, another Frenchman named Malek, are settled at the Salmon Weir Hostel in Galway. Both men are currently searching for employment in the Galway area, hoping to put their past experience in many areas from cooking to construction to the test. If you would like to get in touch with Alain about his quest to spread the `Travelling the Blue Planet' message you can contact him at 087 9552773, by e-mail at blueplanet2000@hotmail.com, or log onto http://membres.lycos.fr/supervoyage/

Beat the blues
Aran Travel (091) 562595 has some hot offers to the sun to help beat the winter blues. Travel to Lanzarote from Shannon on January 8 for one week from 369 or for two weeks from 409; Shannon to Fuerteventura on January 11 for one week from 329 or two weeks from 369; Shannon to Gran Canaria on January 10 for one week from 339 or two weeks from 379. Prices include return flights, return airport transfer, and self catering accommodation.

Hamid, Malek and Alain on the road

Free child places
Get your free child place now when you book a one bed apartment in Ola Club Tomir, Majorca for two weeks in May. Dates available are May 1, 2, 6, 8, or 9. Package costs 1,429 for two adults and three children. Only extra is insurance. More info from Budget Travel (091) 566155.

Romantic Christmas pressie
Think ahead to Valentine's Day when looking for the perfect Christmas present for your loved one. Fahy Travel has flights to Vienna and Edinburgh in February. Fly to Vienna on February 13 for three nights for 510pps. Price includes 4* accommodation and one evening meal. Or fly to Edinburgh for two nights on February 13 with 4* hotel accommodation for 289pps. Details from Teresa in Fahy Travel (091) 594751.

than once by flying on a Concorde jet through different time zones. I decided to do the same thing by making my way over land across Eurasia to reach the International Date Line at the Bering Strait." He said to my homeless friends: "We have nothing to do; let's do this challenge. The planet belongs to us too." Thus `Travelling The Blue Planet' was created. For two years Alain and his travel mates traversed the globe by any means possible, often with little or no money whatsoever.

They worked when possible and relied upon the kindness and generosity of strangers to continue their journey. The vision of `Travelling the Blue Planet' is a world where people from different nationalities are able to communicate openly and move around freely. The simplicity and strength of such an idea attracted a lot of positive attention in many of the countries Alain and his friends visited. The secret of his successful and unique experience is a gift of making friends and

Irish Ferries launches 2004 France ferry guide
Irish Ferries has unveiled its 2004 France ferry guide in which a 50 pre-January 19 early booking discount on return car fares is the headline offer. Other discounts available in what is a comprehensive programme include 20 per cent reductions for over-55s, and a new 100 off a return car trip to Britain operative to May 2005 for those who avail of a standard return car fare to France during the June to August period. Other popular items include special five day and nine day fares for motorists and motorcyclists and the ever popular mini cruise which remains at 99pp return. When two or more travel together you can bring your car for 49 return. This year Irish Ferries is highlighting its convenient departure and arrival times with daylight arrivals that take account of time required for onward travel. Once again, the popular Normandy Nights cabaret will be a feature throughout the summer season. Full details can been seen online at www.irishferries.com, through any travel agent or by calling 0818-300400.

The Normandy

WEATHER
THURSDAY
Brighter spells in places, but cloud will increase at times. Showers moving in. Feeling breezy in moderate to fresh south-west winds. Max temp 8-11C (46-52F).

SATURDAY
Scattered showers. Cloud will increase.

7

High Tide in Galway
8

SUNDAY
Breezy and unsettled with spells of rain.

Clifden
9

Tuam

20

FRIDAY
There will be a mixture of bright intervals and scattered showers. It will feel cooler. Light south-west winds. Max temp 6-8C (43-46F).
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

MONDAY
Showers or longer bursts of rain.

GALWAY
7

Thursday November 20 Friday November 21 Saturday November 22 Sunday November 23 Monday November 24 Tuesday November 25 Wednesday November 26

01.52 02.38 03.20 04.01 04.43 05.26 06.11

14.00 14.48 15.34 16.18 17.04 17.51 18.40

Ballinasloe
9

Phases of the Moon
Sunday November 23 -- New Moon

TUESDAY
Becoming breezy with rain moving in.

10 15
Noon Thursday
10

Galway ship movements

WEDNESDAY
Staying unsettled with rain or showers.