Outbound Exchange to Turrialba, Costa Rica
DATES: Exchange - October 7 to 14, 2008

Optional Extension tour - October 14 to 20

The Friendship Force clubs of Dallas and Austin are now accepting applications for the joint outbound Exchange to Turrialba, Costa Rica for the week of October 7 to 14, 2008. An extension is planned from October 14 to 20.

Costa Rica is a country that is noted for its natural beauty with large portions of the country set aside as national parks for eco-tourism. Turrialba is just east of San Jose.

COST:
The cost for the one-week exchange is $300.00 plus the cost of airfare. This includes $240 standard Friendship Force fee plus $60 for extra expenses (any surplus refunded). At this time airfare prices from Dallas are as low as $540, with most around $640. There is a $26 departure tax from Costa Rica.

TRIP EXTENSION:
We plan to offer an optional 7-day extension excursion in Costa Rica. Estimated cost $1,113 double occupancy, $1,476 single. Availability depends on at least 14 persons participating. Itinerary available from the Director or below.

CONTACT:
Raymond Enstam, Exchange Director 
4823 Nashwood Lane, Dallas, TX 75244-7736: enstam@sbcglobal.net

Because of hosting limitations, there are only 20 places available. There are 12 places allocated to the Dallas club and 8 to Austin. See the instructions and details on the Short Form Application enclosed and also available from the Exchange Director. The cut off date for the first round of applications is March 9, 2008 as explained in the Short Form Application below. 

UPDATE: 

(There is another trip to Costa Rica that may be interesting to those not going on this one. The San Antonio club is going to Heredia, Costa Rica April 7 - 14, 2008.)

SHORT FORM APPLICATION- DALLAS & AUSTIN TO COSTA RICA

DALLAS MEMBERS: Because of hosting limitations, the Dallas Club will have 12 places on this exchange. The Board of Directors has determined that if there are more applications than there are places the participants will be selected by random lottery, currently planned to occur at the Board meeting on March 10, 2008, and applicants should know the results by March 11. Therefore, all applications together with deposit must be received on or before March 9, 2008 to participate in the lottery. If there are less than 12 places taken, the application process will remain open on a first come first, served basis. If there is a lottery, those not selected on the first selection can be placed on stand-by (in the order received) or receive a refund of their deposit, as they choose.

AUSTIN MEMBERS: The Austin club has 8 places to be selected as determined by the Friendship Force of Austin. Austin members should also have their application and deposit turned in to the Exchange Director by March 9, 2008 so we will know the number participating. For more information contact Gerhild Rogers at gerhildrogers@aol.com.

PROCEDURE: To be on the application list, please fill out the form below and send it with a check payable to Friendship Force of Dallas for $300.00 per applicant, to Raymond A. Enstam, 4823 Nashwood Lane, Dallas, Texas 75244-7736. After acceptance you will be sent the official Friendship Force International long form application.

EXTENSION INFORMATION: See itinerary for the extension below.  Estimated cost $1,063 per person for double occupancy, $1,426 for single. The availability of the extension is contingent upon at least 14 persons participating.

NAME:_____________________________________________________________
SECOND NAME (FO COUPLE):_________________________________________
ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE:_______________ E-MAIL:__________________________________

I (we) wish to participate in the Extension Trip in Costa Rica from October 14 to 20, 2008.
YES [   ] NO [   ]

I (we) hereby apply to participate in the exchange of the Friendship Force of Dallas and Austin, Texas to Turrialba, Costa Rica on October 7 to 14, 2008 and enclose a deposit check for $300.00 per person payable to Friendship Force of Dallas.

DATE: __________________ , 2008

SIGNATURE(S): ___________________________ ________________________________________

MAIL TO: Raymond Enstam, 4823 Nashwood Lane, Dallas, Texas 75244-7736

ITINERARY FOR OPTIONAL TOUR

Optional private tour following the exchange (to be approved and contracted for): 

7 days itinerary - group picked in Turialba
Double occupancy: $1063 per person 
Single occupancy: $1426.00 per person 

Availablity depends on at least 14 persons participating.

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Oct. 14th, 2008)

Hat, light clothing, raincoat, walking shoes, insect repellent, swimsuit & suntan lotion.
08:00 HRS Transfer from Turrialba to Freeman or Caño Blanco. 

Tortuguero 3 Days / 2 Nights Package. FULL BOARD (Lunch and dinner) 
Overnight in Tortuguero. 
Tortuguero 3 Days / 2 Nights Package : 
• Be our special guest in a banana processing and packaging plant and learn more about one of Costa Rica's prime products (subject to availability). 
• Board a comfortable boat upon arrival to the port and let this extraordinarily exotic paradise enchant you, as you travel along the Tortuguero Canals. 
• Have a one-in-a-lifetime experience in this unique place surrounded by a great variety of flora and fauna of breathtaking beauty. 
• Enjoy a refreshing cocktail and a delicious Lunch as we welcome you to the lodge in 

Tortuguero. 
After lunch, we will visit the museum, the beach area and the small and picturesque town of Tortuguero. A delightful dinner will be served upon arrival at the lodge. (L/D).

Day 2 (Oct. 15th, 2008)
Breakfast at the lodge in Tortuguero. 
• MORNING TOUR: Enjoy nature its best as you undertake a journey through the canals at dawn, and take your best shot of a real Caribbean sunrise. 
• Discover Costa Rican flavors as you enjoy breakfast at the lodge. 
• private trails, ride a boat through the canals or just relax. 
• Lunch and dinner at the Lodge (L/D). 
Admission to National Park included.

Day 3 (Oct. 16th, 2008)
Breakfast at the Hotel in Tortuguero.
Boat transportation from the lodge to the dock. 
Lunch at individual expense. 
11:00 HRS Land transportation to Punta Uva, Puerto Viejo Limon. 
13:00 HRS Tour to Cahuita National Park.

This Caribbean park was created to protect an important coral reef, but the park's beaches, estuaries and rain forest are equally impressive. The reef is perfect for snorkeling since much of it lies in shallow water near the beach. It is home to about 500 species of fish, as well as octopi and lobsters that hide amidst the colorful sponges and corals. The palm-lined beaches are idyllic, and the forests behind them conceal howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths, toucans, parakeets and lots of lizards. The park is easy to visit, located 26 miles south of the city of Limón next to the town of Cahuita 

Lodging and Caribbean style dinner at Suerre Caribbean Hotel.

Day 4 (Oct. 17th, 08) 

Hat, light clothing, walking shoes, insect repellent, swimsuit & suntan lotion.
Breakfast at Suerre Caribbean Hotel. 
07:00 HRS Transfer from Puerto Viejo Limón to Arenal. 
09:00 HRS Pineapple Tour in Siquirres. 

Agri Pineapple Tour is a family owned business with more than 1,500 hectares that offers our guests, local as well as foreigners, a unique experience on the production process of the pineapple. The family that owns the farm has more than 50 years of experience on the crop, but it wasn’t until 2003 when with great success they had the idea of sharing the adventure with visitors and started the tourism department. Our tour has a duration of two hours and includes a trip through the Hacienda were one can appreciate the great growing areas of that fruit.
The tour is divided in 6 stages, which are:
First Stage:
Tourists are welcome at the Rancho “ Los Laureles”, which offers comfortable and spacious restrooms. In this same stage there is the opportunity to view the growing process of the fruit in all its stages in a specially design demonstrational area. Also tourists can taste the exquisite sweet MD-2 (Del Monte’s Golden Pineapple), which is a first grade, 100% export quality fruit. 
Second Stage:
The view spot “El Guacimo” is our second stage where one can learn about the history of the pineapple while at the same time admire a beautiful humming bird garden right next to the Cimarrones River. 
Third Stage:
We enter the packing plant, where the pineapple is received from the fields, prepared and packed. The tourists can witness all the hard work involved in the process by the packing plant workers, reception, selection, waxing, crown fumigation, packing, palletizing, and freezing. 
Fourth Stage:
The Hacienda, besides producing fresh pineapples, also produces dried pineapple to export into foreign markets. In this stage the visitors can learn about the process of dehydration that the pineapple undergoes. The different steps are: reception, then heart extraction, after this comes pealing and slicing, then the distribution of the slices onto the carts, following comes moving the carts into the ovens for drying and the last step is the packing.
Fifth Stage: In this last stop our visitors can enjoy our souvenir shop and buy all types of Costa Rican souvenirs.

13:00 HRS Visit and lunch at La Paz Waterfall Garden.
As we continue towards the Caribbean zone, we will stop to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a Nature Park where we will walk on the truly spectacular trails that will lead us to Magia Blanca Falls (the largest and the most spectacular of the falls in the area). At the Park you will also witness the largest enclosed butterfly observatory in the world with a beautiful collection of tropical jewels. After a terrific lunch we will continue to Arenal Area. 
Lodging and dinner at Tabacon Lodge. You can use the hot springs when you like (the entrance fee is included all days). 
20:00 HRS Buffet Dinner at Tabacon Hot Springs Resort.  

The constant energy of an active volcano, the warmth of flowing thermomineral rivers and the surrounding lush tropical rain forest, provide for an unparalleled experience at Costa Rica's renowned jewel. 
Nestled amidst the northern region of Costa Rica, near the base of the magnificent Arenal Volcano, the resort's unique location along the banks of the Tabacón River incorporates an array of natural elements. This extraordinary setting, combined with exceptional service, warm smiles and outstanding facilities, assures our guests an unforgettable, relaxing vacation. 
Enjoy the beauty and soothing feeling of Tabacon's mineral hot springs, waterfalls, 12 mineral pools and indoor Jacuzzi. Each pool varies in temperature and depth, and some vary in mineral count. 
Not included on the package but also available at the resort: Immerse yourself into total relaxation at Iskandria, the Spa at Tabacón. After luxuriating in our therapeutic volcanic mineral thermal springs, step into our world of relaxation, rejuvenation and pampering. 
Life´s everyday pressures will drift away as our professionally trained staff indulges you with one or more of our many invigorating treatments and therapies, from volcanic mud wraps, aromatherapy facials and reflexology to a tropical forest massage and unique WATSU therapy.

Day 5 (Oct. 18th, 2008) 

Hat, light clothing, walking shoes, insect repellent, swimsuit & suntan lotion.
Breakfast at Tabacón Lodge. 
Day at leisure. / Optional activities can be arranged with the Guide. 
Canopy / hanging Bridges / Horseback riding / Caño Negro, etc. / 

Lunch at individual expense.
Dinner at Arenal Area. 

Day 6 (Oct. 19th, 2008) 

Light clothing, comfortable shoes. 
Breakfast at Tabacon Lodge. 
10:00 HRS transfer to San Jose, visit to Sarchí. 
Lunch at individual expense.
After the Arenal area we will visit the fascinating craftsman factories of Sarchi; where they build the famous oxcarts of Costa Rica. Splendidly decorated and in various sizes, these oxcarts are treasured worldwide for their unique beauty.
17:45 HRS Dinner at Tiquicia. (Typical food) The Pueblo Antiguo show is offered only on Friday and Saturday.
Lodging at Ramada Hotel Herradura.

Day 7 (Oct. 20th, 2008). 

Breakfast at Ramada Herradura Hotel.
Transfer from the Hotel to the International Airport. You need to be there 3 hrs before the departure time. 

Package includes
• Transfer out
• All transfers (private transportation). All our vehicles have A/C, latest models 2006-2008, Coaster (12 to 20 passenger)
• 6 breakfasts
• 4 lunches 
• 6 dinners 
• 1 night lodging at Ramada Herradura Hotel, STD room.
• 2 nights lodging at Tabacon Lodge, STD room. Garden or Forest
• 1 night lodging at Suerre Caribbean. STD room
• 2 nights lodging at Laguna Lodge. STD room.
• Entrance fee to Tortuguero National Park, La Paz Waterfall Garden, Cahuita National Park, Tabacon Resort & Hot Springs. 
• English speaking tour guide.
• All taxes are included. 
Hotels web side: 
Laguna Lodge www.lagunatortuguero.com 
Suerre Caribbean www.suerre.com
Tabacon Lodge www.tabacon.com 
Hotel Ramada Herradura www.ramadaherradura.com 

Not included:

Meals not mentioned
Airline ticket
Alcoholic beverages
Personal equipment
Extras in hotels (phone calls, laundry, room service) / tips bell boys & maids
Departure Taxes (US$26.00 per person)
Tips (for guide and driver)

Additional information about this quotation:
Group: 14 to 20 passengers
Date: October, 08 
Guide: Bilingual (English / Spanish) 

The rate is subject to change due to government tax regulations without previous notice for the package. Hotels may vary and are subject to availability. Prices are in U. S. Dollars. / Rate includes all taxes. 7 Days Itinerary

Not included: personal items, Departure Taxes (US$26.00 p/ person)