Asia Packages Bid for a Strong Dollar

Say what you will about the U.S. economy, it hasn’t yet weakened the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar in the South Pacific and Asia to any major extent.

With the U.S. dollar still enjoying a strong value in almost every country in Asia, this is a good time to embark on a trip across the Pacific and even to consider a somewhat longer journey than you might normally undertake. Here are four opportunities for doing just that at more-than-affordable rates:

* Bali: Enjoy almost two weeks in beach-side Bali for $1,399 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles. Indonesia specialist Natrabu Travel of San Francisco, telephone (800) 628-7228, in its “Shocking Offer 2001,” sends you to the Bali Cliff Hotel in the resort area of Nusa Dua Beach for a 12-night stay. The package includes daily buffet breakfast and five island tours (three full-day, two half-day). The price goes up a mere $75 in May.

* Vietnam: For $1,698, you can have two weeks in the most unusual of destinations, the Republic of Vietnam. This travel oddity (but an appealing one) is from the innovative Idyll Ltd., tel. (888) 868-6871, operator of one-of-a-kind “Untours for Untourists.” From March 1 until May 20, Idyll will fly you round trip for a two-week stay that is split evenly between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon). You’ll stay in centrally located, homelike guest houses with air-conditioning and private bath, operated by English-speaking proprietors. Nothing could better introduce you to this emerging nation. The deal includes the flight on Singapore Airlines from Los Angeles and 14 nights’ accommodations with breakfast. Also see Idyll’s Internet site, https://www.untours.org.

* China: This is perhaps the most amazing of all the Asian travel products. Year after year, China Focus’ visit to six Chinese cities--Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Qufu, T’ai-an and Jinan--remains a world-beater. The 2001 price is $1,079 in March and $1,199 from April till October. It includes flights on Air China from San Francisco (Los Angeles residents are flown free to San Francisco.) The package also includes air, bus or train travel within China, lodging, all sightseeing and most meals. Call China Focus at (800) 868-7244.

* Tahiti: If you can’t spare nine nights away, you’ll want to know that a quickie stay in Tahiti is still only $798. Though a half-dozen West Coast tour operators offer these low-cost, one-week air-and-land packages to that peaceful, remote South Pacific island group, we like the price and product of Discover Wholesale Tours, tel. (888) TAHITI-1(824-4841): $798 for seven nights on Moorea, March through May. You get Monday departures from Los Angeles on the French carrier Corsair, transfers by ferry from Tahiti’s capital of Papeete to Moorea and seven nights at the pleasant Club Bali Hai. Though a quickie trip to Tahiti has become a familiar travel option, I’m still awed by the ease and low cost with which this can be accomplished.