Exchange Opportunities

For details on any of these exchanges, please contact the Exchange Director directly.

Our newest list from FFI does not have complete information on each exchange. For those exchanges marked with a # - please see the FFI Catalog of Exchanges:

http://www.friendshipforce.org/catalog/ffi_listonly.aspx

or

http://www.thefriendshipforce.org/exchanges/search.aspx

Please forward this exchange information to your friends and others interested in participating as a Friendship Force Ambassador. If you would like to be added to the Friendship Force International mailing list to receive occasional e-mail updates on exchange opportunities, please send your name, postal address, and e-mail address to ffi@thefriendshipforce.org. 

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USA

# AUTUMN’S CRISP CHILL AND THE VIBRANT COLORS OF NEW ENGLAND
Long Island and the New Hampshire Seacoast, USA
October 3rd -19th (including Friendship Force International Conference)

http://www.thefriendshipforce.org/ 

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CANADA

CANADA’S SUNNIEST CITY AND THE GEOGRAPHICAL HEART OF THE CONTINENT!
Medicine Hat, Alberta and Brandon, Winnipeg
July 25 to August 8, 2010

Estimated Price: $750 USD.
Estimated cost of airfare between host clubs: $300 USD.

Contact Arthur Smeers: arthur.smeers@telenet.be

Highlights:
* Saamis Tepee: The world’s tallest tepee
* Exhibition and stampede in Medicine Hat
* Historic Riverside
* Assiniboine Riverbank trail system
* Brandon Hills wildlife

Enjoy the hospitality of new friends in Medicine Hat, Canada’s sunniest city, then explore Brandon, the heart of Canada and the newest Friendship Force hosting club in Canada. We’ll have seven days in each of these beautiful places! Medicine Hat is considered an “oasis” on the prairies in the semi-arid area Southeastern Alberta. Close by are the Rocky Mountains to the west, the Cypress Hills to the south, and the great Sandhills to the east. The Medicine Hat stampede and exhibition is on of Canada’s most exciting annual events.

Brandon is a major agricultural centre, home to several research institutions. Situated in the southwest corner of the province of Manitoba, it is very close to the geographical centre of North America. The best place to start your visit is the Riverbank Discovery Center, also the starting point of several trails along the Assiniboine River.

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THE WILD WEST AND THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS--- OF CANADA!
Medicine Hat, Canada
September 4 - 11, 2010

Estimated Price: Home stay week: $400 USD.
Optional tour of Rocky Mountains: $958 USD (depending on size of group).
Contact Charles & Bette Tilly: betchtilly@bellsouth.net

Highlights:
* Ranch land, the badlands and the mountains
* Esplanade Arts & Heritage Center
* Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
* Home of the world’s tallest tepee
* Tour the spectacular Canadian Rockies

Join in a fun-filled exchange with new friends in Medicine Hat, in the wide open spaces and clear blue skies of Alberta, Canada, home to ranch land and the mountains. The city boasts a 20-story Saamis Teepee, the National Historic District of the Clay Industries, a gaslight-themed downtown and state-of-the-art Esplanade Arts & Heritage Center. Our friends in Medicine Hat also promise a visit to the Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its extensive badlands and dinosaur fossils. The Hutterite Colony offers a visit to a group of people living in a unique cultural setting, an Anabaptist Mennonite settlement. You won’t want to miss the Canadian barbeque dinner!!

Our home stay will be followed by a tour of the spectacular Canadian Rockies, which includes a stay in Banff to see local delights such as Bow Falls, The Hoodoo Lookout, Lake Minnewanka and Surprise Corner. Our chartered coach will take us for a ride on the Banff Gondola for a panoramic view of the mountains. The sightseeing tour of the Columbia Icefield will start with a drive on Highway 93, one of the most scenic drives in the world. Another day will include a tour of Lake Louise and Yoho National Park, covering some of the most famous features of the Canadian Rockies.

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Hamilton & Burlington, Ontario, Canada

September 23 - 30, 2010

Price: $475 US

Contact Larry Kurtz: kurtz_larry@hotmail.com

Each year, late September heralds the onset of Canada's spectacular Fall colours and the start of a new “Season” of the country's best offerings in music, theatre, and the arts in our historic towns and great cities. Friendship Force of Hamilton & Burlington in southern Ontario (next door to Toronto and Niagara) invites you to join us in celebrating the 2010 Fall Season in both of these realms with a full week of plays, concerts, galleries, and a “Cottage Outing” to our lakeside and woodland private retreats.

From September 23-30 we will visit the Stratford Shakespeare Festival; Niagara's wineries, the Shaw Festival, and the famous “Falls” by night; Toronto's best concert halls and galleries; Hamilton's Theatre Aquarius; and to draw breath between times, spend two nights in smaller groups at our members' cottages in the country.

Those who choose to join the party will have the opportunity to meet Friendship Force members from far and wide, to enjoy all of this and a week of our most hospitable in-town and cottage-country home hosting, for just $475 USD!

View the full program on http://www.thefriendshipforce.org/ along with Application form can be found here. Supplemental activities form is here.

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THE JOYS OF A CANADIAN WINTER: SLEIGH RIDES, SNOW-SHOEING, SKATING, ICE AND SNOW SCULPTURES, AND A LESSON IN CURLING!
Ottawa, Ontario/Gatineau, Quebec, and Winnipeg, Manitoba
February 9-24, 2011

Estimated Price: Home stay week in Ottawa/Canadian Capital: $235 USD.
Home stay week in Manitoba/Winnipeg: $365 USD.
(Transportation between the clubs not included.)

Contact Gayle Macready: macready@bigpond.net.au

* Participate in Winterlude, the worlds largest winter festival
* Enjoy Quebec-style hospitality in the city of Gatineau
* Visit the Manitoba Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization
* See awesome snow and ice sculptures in Ottawa and Winnipeg
* Tour Fort Gibraltar and the Festival du Voyager

Get a taste of how Canadians celebrate winter and experience the “Joie de Vivre” of Winterlude/Bal de Neige and the Festival du Voyageur - a celebration of the French and Metis history and culture of Canada. Your hosts, the Friendship Force clubs of Ottawa, Canadian Capital Region, Winnipeg and Manitoba have planned a full two weeks of cultural and social activities. You will have the opportunity to attend an ice hockey game (Canada’s national sport), walk on frozen rivers, try snowshoeing or skating, go on a horse and sleigh ride, see and try the game of curling and much more. Your hosts will provide ambassadors with appropriate winter outerwear for the week. Your Ottawa/Gatineau hosts and “Friendly Manitoba” hosts await you!

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EUROPE

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THE ENGLISH RIVIERA MEETS THE CHARM OF THATCHED ROOFS!

Devon, UK - Connecticut Club
August 27 – September 3, 2010

Estimated Price:$650 USD land only, $1400 USD including flights from Boston, MA
Contact Martha Schwartz: http://www.friendshipforce.org/catalog/catalog_europe.aspx#ex_8

Photographers will love this journey through the varied beauty of southwest England. Enjoy trips to the rugged moors; the wild Jurassic coast near Exmouth; the river Dart, with plenty of charming villages along the way! 
* Play in the English Riviera:Torbay
* See the wild Dartmoor ponies
* Go back in time at the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers left for America.
* Optional: Cruise back to the US!

Join the Friendship Force of Connecticut on our travels to Devon, UK. You may join us from the Boston, MA airport, or meet us in London. From there we will travel together to meet our hosts in the Friendship Force Devon and spend a week getting to know their culture and living as guests in their homes, located in an area known for its quaint villages and many thatched cottages. 

In addition, the coast to the east of Exmouth has been designated a World Heritage site and is now known as The Jurassic Coast because of the many fossils which have been discovered there.

Other highlights of our week include visiting Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes as well as a cruise up the beautiful river Dart and an open-top bus trip back to our starting point. We will have a free day with our hosts and pick a local sight of our choice. Maybe you would like to visit the Dartmoor National Park, a vast area of wild moorland over 500 meters high in places, offering spectacular views? You might even get to see one of Dartmoor’s famous wild ponies!

A trip to Plymouth is being planned. This city is very modern after having sustained severe damage in World War Two yet still has many historic sites including the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers left for America.

If you travel with us from the United States you may join us on a cruise across the Atlantic Ocean to head home. The cruise leaves from Southampton on September 3rd, stopping in Falmouth (Cornwall), Dublin (Republic of Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Qaqortoq (Greenland) and St. John (Newfoundland, Canada). 

More information on the cruise can be found at Princess Cruises.
Estimated price of the cruise: Starting at $2080 USD per person, double occupancy. 

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EXPERIENCE ONE THOUSANDS YEARS OF JAW-DROPPING HISTORY IN LEICESTERSHIRE, UK
Leicestershire, UK
September 5, 2010

Estimated Price: $350 USD (land only exchange).
$2,010 USD (tour including hotel, breakfast and some dinners, pre-tour and one post-tour hotel stay in London along with round-trip railway passes from London to Leicester.).

Contact Lewis Messer: l_messer@bellsouth.net

* See the Roman pavement and bath remains in Leicester
* Visualize one thousand years of jaw-dropping history; great battles, ancient myths, spellbinding

   tales and heroic knights
* Visit Burghley House, one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age.

After meeting our fellow ambassadors in London on September 5th we will travel by train to meet our friendly hosts of the Friendship Force of Leicestershire. We will spend a day in Leicester to get to know something of the history of the area and explore its old city with quite extensive Roman remains. 
One of the highlights of our week will be a tour of Warwick Castle, a medieval fortress rebuilt in the 14th century. A day trip to Burghley House, a magnificent 16th century manor, will offer us a unique glimpse into the way great houses have been furnished and inhabited from the time of Queen Elizabeth I to the present day. We will also get a chance to move our feet and dance along as our hosts will introduce us to the art of Morris Dancing! An 11-day tour featuring many highlights from all over Great Britain will be an optional add-on to this exchange.
Please inquire with the ED for more details.

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Zutphen, Netherlands and Varel, Germany 

September 7-21, 2010

Oklahoma City Club - ED Joyce Rulon: joyspath@cox.net

Estimated cost: $1655 (airfare, train, fees and 2 weeks home hosting)

* The oldest medieval city in the Netherlands
* A small, modern city restored after WWII
* Located in a River Valley
* Splendid city skyscapes, tours and windmills Where “Operation Market Garden” took place

In Zutphen, our hosts in the Netherlands East club await us. They have planned a week filled with exciting activities, but also enough time to relax and get to know each other. “This way we hope that new friendships don’t stop at the end of the week but will last much longer”
The program includes visits to two very interesting cities: Arnhem and Apeldoorn. Arnhem received the city rights in 1233 and much later was very important in WW II: this is where “Operation Market Garden” took place (many visitors will remember the famous movie “A Bridge Too Far” with Anthony Hopkins, Dirk Bogarde, James Caan and many other famous stars).
In Apeldoorn we visit the former palace of their Queens and, if people are interested, we will visit the Kroller Muller Museum. This museum has the largest collection of Van Gogh pieces, but Picasso and Monet are also very well represented.

Another highlight of our program will include the September special flower festival in Lichtenvoorde which is quite unique!

Our qualifying Ambassadors will have demonstrated they are physically fit to climb stairs, carry their luggage, ride public transportation, and maintain stamina on fast paced walking tours. Zutphen (population 46,000) is an historic city in the center-eastern part of the Netherlands, existing since Roman times and received its city rights in 1190, making it one of the oldest medieval cities in the Netherlands. The city was voted as having the best city center of The Netherlands in the category of small cities in 2006. It has an untouched historic city center that gives you the feeling of traveling hundreds of years back in time. It is not widely known to foreign tourists and waiting to be discovered.

Please submit an application to Joyce Rulon with a deposit of  $215 ($25 non-refundable) with checks payable to FFO. 

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SUMMER OCEAN BREEZES AND SPARKLING WINES IN GERMANY!
Kiel, Hamburg, Halle-Saale, Dresden, Leipzig
September 6 - 20, 2010

Estimated Price: To be determined

Contact Barbara Stonebrink-Martin: bstonebrink@thefriendshipforce.org or +1-404-965-4346

* Enjoy the beautiful, refreshing Baltic Sea and Northern Sea
* Visit the highlights of Germany’s Northeast
* Have a taste of the most famous German sparkling wines

Start this exchange in Hamburg and start your interesting journey to Kiel, an exploration of the most northern part of Germany. The Friendship Force of Kiel is located close to the Baltic Sea and the North Sea both stunning in the summer. The lake district southeast of Kiel is also famous for its outstanding beauty. We will visit Hamburg and might even go up to the Danish border!
From here you will travel to the Northeast of Germany to the beautiful city of Halle. The city is more then 1,200 years old and has a lot of history to be discovered. It is the birthplace of German composer Georg Friedrich Händel as well as the center of the Protestant Reformation of Martin Luther. Daytrips to Dresden and Leipzig will give you a wonderful overview of the area.
A highlight of the trip will be the visit of a wine valley nearby – where one of the most famous German sparkling wines is being made!

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Sussex, England and Scotland (Kansas Club)

September 9-21, 2010 

Costs: see below

Contact Nancy Murray, ED: hhsmurry@yahoo.com
Three openings left 

Itinerary:
Sept. 9th    --        Leave for Scotland
Sept. 10th  --        Arrive in Edinburgh  --  afternoon/evening in city
Sept. 11th  --        Leave on 2-day tour (Loch Ness & Inverness)
Sept. 13th  --        Choose  --  St. Andrews tour or day in Edinburgh
Sept. 14th  --        Leave for Sussex  --  home hosted for 1 week
Sept. 21st  --        Return home

Costs:
Deposit                     $265.00    (includes FFI fees, FFK fees & Host fees)
Airfare                    $1,060.00    (can purchase own ticket to use frequent flyer miles, etc)
Hotel in Edinburg     $225.00    (3 nights)
Scotland tour            $192.00    (Loch Ness & Inverness-- 2days/1 night)
St. Andrews                $55.00    (optional)
Plane & train             $125.00   (plane from Edinburgh to Gatwick/train from Gatwick to  Sussex)
TOTALS:                $1,922.00   (includes breakfasts in Edinburgh hotel and meals on tour of 

                                                     Loch Ness & Inverness)

The total cost does not include baggage fees, etc. and some meals in Edinburgh.

If you are interested, please contact Nancy ASAP!

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VISIT ROMAN AND TURKISH RUINS DURING YOUR VISIT TO HUNGARY!

Pecs, Hungary
September 16 - September 23, 2010

Estimated Price: Land only cost: $325 USD, Optional tour: estimated $1,900 USD
Contact Mary Alice Rothweiler: http://www.friendshipforce.org/catalog/catalog_europe.aspx#ex_8

The city of Pecs, nominated as a 2010 European Capital of culture, is your host city and the ideal beginning to this magical journey. 
*  Located at the foot of the Mecsek hills
*  A culturally diverse center: Roman, Turkish and medieval monuments
*  The 100 year old National Theatre
*  The place where several 20th century artists have been immortalized; more than 30 museums and

   art galleries

This medieval city was first mentioned in 871 under the name Quinque Basilicae ("five cathedrals".) The name refers to the fact that when constructing the churches of the city, the builders used material from five old Christian chapels. The area has been inhabited since ancient times, with the oldest archaeological findings being 6000 years old. Before the Roman era the place was inhabited by Celts. When Western Hungary was a province of the Roman Empire (named Pannonia), the Romans founded several wine-producing colonies under the collective name of Sopianae where Pecs now stands, in the early 2nd century. The Hungarian people have always enjoyed medicinal baths and this bathing heritage is present also in Pecs. You can find day spas inside Pecs and for the summer, there are outdoor bathing places in close surroundings of Pecs.

The Friendship Force of Pecs welcomes you to a week of home hosting that will be filled with very interesting programs, as you experience first hand, the reason why Pecs is nominated as one of the 2010 European Capital of Culture. A few highlights on the exchange include: sightseeing in Pécs, visit to the Zsolnay china factory, several museums (fine arts, glove museum, pipe museum, stove museum, etc.), a boat trip in a natural park, and the famous spas.

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Toulouse, France (Baton Rouge)

September 23-30, 2010  

Cost: $300  

Contact Linda Knochenmus, ED: dknochen@bellsouth.net 

Baton Rouge has an exchange to Northumbria, England and Toulouse, France. Because the Northumbria club is small they have limited us to 16 ambassadors and we have filled all those ambassador slots.  However, we have several openings for the second week only in Toulouse, France.

The dates for the Toulouse portion of the exchange are September 23-30, 2010.  The ambassador will make his own travel arrangement to and from Toulouse.

The additional cost which is payable to Friendship Force of Baton Rouge is $300. A check for $300 and a copy of the first two pages of your passport (a requirement of Airbus which we will be visiting) must accompany the ambassador application.

If you are interested, please contact Linda ASAP!  

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MIDDLE EAST / ASIA

WALK THE ANCIENT SILK ROAD IN THIS JOURNEY FOR THE SPIRIT AND THE SENSES!
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, Uzbekistan
September 4 - 17, 2010
Estimated Price: $1,000 USD (Land only; based on the number of Ambassadors) 

Contact Joyce Mell: jnjmell@bellsouth.net

* Experience Tashkent, the "Star of the East"
* Bask in a cultural marinade of Eastern and Western civilizations
* Explore Shahi-Zinda mausoleums of the legendary rulers of the ancient ages
* Shop at the oriental bazaars 

Club / Exchange: Your Home Hospitality experience is provided by The Friendship Force of Tashkent.

Once upon a time the Great Silk Road extended 4,000 miles, facilitating transport of luxuries such as silk and satin, perfumes, spices, medicines, jewels and glassware. Claim your piece of the Silk Road with a visit to Tashkent, where we kick off our exchange with a one-week stay, as guests of the Friendship Force of Tashkent. The history of Tashkent, sometimes referred to as ‘the Star of the East,’ spans two millennia and the city has become, as Uzbekistan itself, a blend of the great cultures of Asia, a marvelous marinade of Oriental and Western civilizations flavored with ingredients from Persian, Hellenistic, Indo-Buddhist, Turkic, Arabian Muslim and local cultures. After the devastating earthquake in 1966, the city was rebuilt. It also features many modern elements and beautifully laid-out parks and glistening fountains.

Our next destination is a journey further back into antiquity, though we get there by modern transport! A short flight takes us to Khiva, a city first recorded by Muslim travelers in the 10th century, although archaeologists assert that the city has existed since the 6th century.
After the wonders of Khiva, we move on to Bukhara, a city dating back to the 3rd century B.C. and often referred to as the "enchanted city," with buildings that rival "the finest architecture of the Italian Renaissance," according to early travelogs. Another of Bukhara’s interesting sights is the Ark of Bukhara, a mud wall twenty meters high and the central citadel within the city's larger mud wall fortifications. It has served a multitude of royal functions over the last twelve centuries ranging from military barracks and palatial quarters to administrative offices.

Our journey on the mystical Great Silk Road continues on to Samarkand, often called “the Heart of Great Silk Road" – another city of stunning ancient architecture and world-famous centers of national handicrafts including legendary Registan square, which by right is the main architectural sight in the whole of Central Asia and the proud collection of the three madrassas (educational institutions) of Ulug Bek, Shir Dor, Tillya Kari. In 2001,UNESCO inscribed the 2,750-year-old city on theWorld Heritage List as Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures. 

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GO BOATING ON THE BOSPORUS AND RIDE IN A BALLOON OVER CAPPADOCIA IN SPECTACULAR TURKEY!
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Diyarbakir, Mardin and Sanliurfa, Turkey
September 20 - October 3, 2010

Estimated Price: $2,540 USD (Land only)

Contact Glenys Mitchell: http://www.friendshipforce.org/catalog/catalog_europe.aspx#ex_8

* Boat tour on the majestic Bosphorus
* Istanbul is one of the 2010 Capitals of Culture
* Explore the city of prophets
* Shopping in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
* Optional Hot Air Balloon ride over amazing Cappadocia 

A heartfelt welcome from the one of the most ancient and unique countries in the world! Our adventures take us to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Diyarbakir, Mardin and Sanilurfa. Highlights of this two-week itinerary include: a boat tour in the cold, blue water of the Bosporus, which divides Asia and Europe; several evenings spent with Turkish families in their homes, dining and talking together; activities related to the community celebrations of Istanbul as the 2010 European Capital of Culture; shopping at the Grand Bazaar; or an optional hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Also on the itinerary, Sanliurfa, called the “City of Prophets” and, according to both the Bible and Quran it is the birthplace of Abraham before his migration to Canaan, now Palestine. Diyarbakir is situated on the banks of the River Tigris and is the second largest city in Turkey's South Anatolia region. Within Turkey Diyarbar is famed for its culture, folklore, and watermelon. Today, the population of Diyarbakr is made up predominantly of Kurdish people. This fantastic trip ends with a farewell party hosted by local families and featuring Mesopotamian music with its distinctive blend of Kurdish, Armenian and Turkish elements.

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GO BACK IN TIME IN ANCIENT BAKU; SEE EXTRAORDINARY ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE AT THE KHANSARAI PALACE; ADMIRE THE UNIQUE CULTURE OF AZERBAIJAN
Baku, Sheki and Lenkoran, Azerbaijan
September 2010

Estimated Price: $1,010 USD (Land only; based on exchange rate and the number of Ambassadors) 
Contact Stephen Williams: http://www.friendshipforce.org/catalog/catalog_europe.aspx#ex_8 

*  Boating on the Caspian Sea
*  Immersion in the cultural history of the Caucasus
*  Explore the city of prophets
*  The walled city of “Icheri Sheher” 

Club / Exchange: Your Home Hospitality experience is provided by the Friendship Force Club of Baku.

Our first week is in the capital city of Baku, one of the most beautiful and ancient cities of the world, located at the meeting-point of Europe and Asia. We will visit numerous historical places and museums, including the medieval walled city "Icheri Sheher" with its narrow alleyways, historic caravanserais, mosques, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the 12th century Maiden’s Tower, and Martyr’s Alley with its superb views over the Bay of Baku. We will also go on a boat trip across the Caspian Sea. Part of the second week will be spent in the city of Sheki, a true gem of Azerbaijan, which has a lot to offer by way of historic attractions – in particular the Palace of the Sheki Khans (Khansarai), a magnificent work of Islamic architecture, lying between the rolling, thickly forested foothills and snow-capped peaks of the Greater Caucasus. The rest of the week we will spend in Lenkoran, where we will visit some museums, among them Khan’s Palace, Carpet Museum, Tea Factory, and Health Resort “Istisu”. 

While in Azerbaijan, experience its unique cuisine! This country has nine of the eleven known climate zones in the world; this contributes to the fertility of the land resulting in a rich cuisine.

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THE GLORIOUS TEMPLES OF KATHMANDU AND THE WARMTH OF NEPALESE HOSPITALITY!
Kathmandu, Nepal
September 28 - October 10, 2010

Estimated Price: $1,700 USD (Land Only).

Contact Donna Baldwin-Haut: djhaut2006@sbcglobal.net

* Explore the temples and bazaars of Kathmandu
* See the amazing terraced hillsides
* Celebrate Dasain, Nepal’s most thrilling and memorable festival
* Tour historic wonders of Bhaktapur, Nagarkot and Patan

For those who appreciate adventure and challenge this is the journey for you. Memories will be made as you experience the rich, natural cultural heritage of Nepal, a fascinating Himalayan kingdom. Explore the serene beauty of high alpine valleys, lush jungles, and quaint villages, embraced by eight of the world’s ten highest mountain peaks. Live like a local while you enjoy daily life and the extraordinary hospitality of your Nepalese hosts, during your six days of home hosting. Then explore the beauty and culture of Nepal during a five-day tour.

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COME TO BALI, YOGYAKARTA AND SEMARANG, INDONESIA FOR A CULTURAL FEAST AND WARM HOSPITALITY!
Bali, Yogyakarta & Semarang, Indonesia
October 31 - November 16, 2010

Estimated Price: $1,517.00 USD Land Only (Estimated Price).

Contact Jim Collins: idicollins@aol.com

* Relax in the tropical paradise of Bali while sampling the finest cuisine
* Visit Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist monument in the world
* Enjoy a home stay in the Old Dutch Colonial Port City of Semarang
* The trip is designed to accommodate adventurous people who want to enjoy stunning scenery,

   warm friendly people and a rich vibrant culture

Indonesia is an island nation with fantastic natural beauty and a remarkably rich culture. Our journey begins with four days in Bali to rest and relax. We will spend time on the white sandy beaches and in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. We will visit the amazing art and handicraft markets of Bali. We will tour Bali and see Banjar Hot Springs, Ulundanu, Taman Ayun and Tanah Lot Temple. We then go to the ancient capital of Java, Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is in the mountains, home to the Buddhist monument of Borobudur and the Hindu temple of Prambanan. We will also visit the Kraton (Sultan’s Palace), the famous bird market and hear gamelan music and see the dances.

Then we’re off to Semarang by motor coach to visit the Old Dutch Colonial Port for our 5-day home-stay with Semarang friends. The home stay is always the highlight of any Friendship Force experience, an opportunity to get to really know some wonderful people and learn a little bit about their rich culture. Semarang is the industrial and financial capital of central Java. It is also home to a number of great universities. While Semarang is predominantly Javanese, it also has a large ethnically Chinese population. We will visit Sam Po Kong, built to honor the 13th century Chinese Admiral Zheng, and the Protestant church, Blenduk, built by the Dutch in what is now “Old Town” or “Oudstad”. We will also visit Tay Kak Sie Temple. We will then fly to Bali where we rest before taking the plane home or making a side trip to Singapore or Karimunjawa Island, a marine preserve.

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# EXPERIENCE THE PEOPLE, CULTURE, GLORIES, TASTES, SMELLS & SOUNDS OF SOUTHERN INDIA!

Nashrik, India
October 31 – November 20, 2010

Begin your journey with a one week homestay with the Friendship Force of Nashik to get to know the people and culture first hand. Then, explore the ancient rock-cut temples at Ajanta and Ellora, relax at the famous Keralan backwater canals and hike in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Go back a millennium to the Chola empire in Madurai and Thanjavur and even earlier to the Pallava rock carvings in Mamallapuram. Enhance your experience by exploring markets and artist studios in Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras) (view exchange)

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EXPERIENCE ANOTHER SIDE OF CHINESE CULTURE IN TAIWAN – WARM ASIAN HOSPITALITY AT ITS BEST!
Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan
October 31 (pre-trip) or November 6 – 21, 2010

Estimated Price: $2,000.00 USD including airfare from Los Angeles, excluding tours or extentions.

Contact Alyce Schultz-Rozsa: Ascreate1@aol.com

* Explore temples, museums and galleries
* Enjoy hiking, hot springs and parks
* Make the most of fantastic shopping and leisure time

Taipei (literally “Northern Taiwan”) is the largest city in Taiwan and is situated on the Danshui River, almost at the northern tip of the island. While maintaining its role as the political, cultural, and economic center of the country, Taipei also has an extensive system of parks, green spaces, and breathtaking nature preserves. The city is rich in beautiful, ornate temples housing Buddhist, Taoist, and Chinese folk religion deities.

Our flight to Taipei, Taiwan is scheduled to depart the Los Angeles on November 6. You are invited to fly with us from there or simply meet us in Taipei where we’ll enjoy first class hospitality with our local hosts and spend an exciting week learning all about daily life in Taiwan.
There will be a pre-hosting and/or a post-hosting extension to this exchange trip. The complete itinerary will be available shortly.

Join our pre-exchange tour to Alishan Park visiting the highest mountain ranges in the country, exploring an Aboriginal Cultural village and relax on a 2 day boat excursion around Sun Moon Lake. During the tour and exchange you'll explore temples, museums and galleries; see the amazing terraced hillsides; enjoy hiking, hot springs and parks. Your warm home hospitality will be in Taiwan and Kaohsuiung, an experience you'll not soon forget! (view exchange)

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AFRICA