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B2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 5, 1999 Photo: by Barry Erskine L E T 'S CELEB RATE:To celebrate Tourism Awareness week in Oakville, members of the Oakville Tourism committee gathered to celebrate by wearing some crazy summer wares! Kicking off the celebration are left to right: Lou Hunter, Bronte BLA, Debbie Reynolds, Etc. etc., Lee Bernard, Chair of the Bronte BIA, Mike Dartnell, Etc. etc. and Eddie Tsang of Etc. etc. The week will include discounts and events until May 8th. The awareness campaign to run throughout the year, encourages residents to be a 'great host', and introduce visitor's to the town. The Tourism Awareness Week event schedule is available from the Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 845-6613. DID YOU KNOW.... • Over one million tourists visited Oakville in 1996 of which 70% or 750,000 were some day trips - 30% or 319,000 stayed overnight. • The total tourism expenditure in Oakville is approximately $50-million, with the same day visitors spending 21% or over $10-million - overnight visitors spending 79% or $38-million. • Canadians account for 91% of Oakville visitors, followed by Americans at 7% and overseas visitors at 2%. • There is an increase in more overnight stays in Oakville, as the hotel sector is now expanding. In 1998, two new hotels opened in Oakville - the Monte Carlo Inn and the Country Inn. With the completion of the new Holiday Inn Express, Oakville will have 530 hotel rooms available for travellers - an increase of 100% over 1997. Africa opened its heart to traveler (Continued from page 1) "Looking across the river to the Congo side I noticed movement. Through the white mist I could see three figures placing something into a dug out canoe, climb in themselves and push off shore in my direction. I look at my watch. It was 5:30, it was time to go-" This encounter came during his first visit to Africa. "I've been fascinated about Africa ever since I was little," says Kirkby. "I have always been fasci­ nated by its people and wildlife. 'The places and people of Africa are so beautiful. But, some of the places are difficult to get to. I waded into water to take pictures of a hip­ popotamus, the largest killer of man in Africa. I didn't stay in that water for very long." On another occasion, while riding on an elephant, he was able to take close-up photographs of a hippopota­ mus submerged in water, except for its leather-skinned battle scared head. "I like the physical challenge of travel," he say, considering the close encounters as part of the experience. "I had a few close calls. One night I was dragged by hyenas. I had fallen asleep and one of them had bit into the bottom of one of my hiking boots, and I woke up as four of them were drag­ ging me." Fortunately, he was not alone and a traveling companion hurled a rock at the hyenas and they scattered off. "Another time, when cycling in Malawi, I flew into a group of baboons, and one of them came over top of my handlebars and knocked me off my bike." And, from another chapter written for his book, comes this brush with disaster. "While photographing a group of elephants (in the Ngorongoro Mother's Day! Photo by Steve Kirkby To cross a game reserve in Tanzania, Steve Kirkby chose to travel with the natives in on crowded train. Crater) I was startled when we were charged by the male, ears erect on either side of his formidable head, in an unnecessary attempt, to be even larger and more intimidating," writes Kirkby, adding the driver of the lan- drover he was riding in "shot us into reverse, nar­ rowly missing a terrific col­ lision." And, with the close encounters came a deeper understanding and fuller appreciation of the 'heart' of Africa. "It is one thing to experi­ ence wildlife in a zoo or from a protective vehicle but hiking through a forest to find a silverback standing on a few metres in front of you is something you will never forget," wrote Kirkby of his adventure to see the gorillas in Uganda with a guide who identified hirpself of Johnnie Walker Black Label. "We appeared to be studying each other with equal interest as he stared unblinking: the human like­ ness in his curious dark eyes was eerie. Breaking our stare he leaned over and wrapped his thick fingers around a tree branch and pulled it effortlessly to the ground. . . . "With a somewhat unsteady hand I snapped more pictures of a mother and her newborn, who clung desperately to her chest. The warm, caring gentleness in her eyes was like watching a human mother with her child. As I pleasantly contin­ ued my observations of the family, I could see the young gorilla who earlier had fallen out of the tree, approaching me from the right. He slowly crept toward me like a cat and then shot himself into the air, swiping my baseball hat from my head. . . . "The sight of another sil­ verback huddled against a tree trunk was unusual as only one silverback is cus­ tomarily accepted into a group. Closer observation of his features revealed that he was a very old gorilla with only one hand. This was a cruel indication of the bar­ baric butchering by poachers who take the lives of gorillas or obtain their hands for elaborate ashtrays." Many times while pho­ tographing wildlife, Kirkby felt he must "pinch myself, to remind myself I was see­ ing these amazing animals in their natural habitat, and was not watching a wildlife documentary on TV. It was an awesome experience." Kirkby immersed himself into the African culture, choosing to stay with natives instead of in hostels for trav­ elers. He stayed with Pygmies in Zaire and dis­ covered a close-knit extend­ ed family surviving from the plants and animals of the jungle, taking only what was necessary for their survival. He also spent time with the Dogon tribe in Mali, who carved their homes into the side of a mountain. While cycling through Tanzania, he was told to take the train through a game park as cycling through the area was not permitted. And, again he chose to be with the natives, traveling economy class. "It was extremely uncomfort­ able and hot, traveling with about 100 others in a train car meant for 20," said Kirkby. And, as with previ­ ous experiences with the locals, "these people shared their food and made me feel welcome. I stayed overnight with these people." The experience gave him a new perspective on life. 'The people (of Africa) are so amazing. Western society has all of the money and none of the time. In the Third World, people have all of the time, and no money. There is not enough they can do for you. What little food they have is shared. They are more than willing to share. It was quite an over­ whelming experience." His photographs, beauti­ ful with vibrant colours, reflect the simplicity of Africa. "I don't use any fil­ ters," he explains. "The colours in my photographs are real. I feel there is no need for enhancement They are the true colours of Africa." Kirkby learned his skills from her father, a pho­ tograph teacher. Realizing the potential of being able to share his expe­ rience in Africa, in both words and photographs, Kirkby has set up a compa­ ny, Overland Imagery, from which the proceeds will be used to finance his future travels into the interior of this mysterious and haunting land. Kirkby has already given talks about his travels at some Burlington schools, and is available to speak to Oakville students and other interested groups. Send him email to: overlandimagery @ hotmail.com * Notice of Liquor Licence Application Ontario The following establishment has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for a liquor licence under the Liquor Licence Act: Application for Additional Facilities Deerfield Golf & Recreation Centre 2363 North Service Road West Oakville (outdoor area) Any resident of the municipality may make written submission as to whether the issuance of the licence is in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes of the residents. Submissions must be received no later than June 5,1999. Please include your name, address and telephone number. If a petition is submitted to the Commision, please identify the designated contact ~ person. Note: The AGCO gives the applicant details of any objections. Submissions to be sent to: Licensing and Registration Department Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario 20 Dundas St. W, 7th Floor, Toronto ON M5G 2N6 Fax: (416)326-5555 E-mail at licensing@agco.on.ca mailto:licensing@agco.on.ca