Angeles Chapter Fundraiser Outings
Special Opportunities for Travel Adventure

AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 7, 2008 Caribbean Cruise with a Touch of Europe
RATING: C (Angeles Chapter)
Join Sierra Club members and friends on a 7-night/8-day cruise to islands in the eastern Caribbean aboard the Carnival Destiny. Ports of call are San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Dominica; St. Kitts; La Romana, Dominican Republic; and back to San Juan. Cruise fare includes double occupancy cabins (we’ll match singles), all meals buffet or restaurant style, Las Vegas style entertainment, three bands and orchestras, exercise/fitness center, and other services, like duty-free shopping. This luxury cruise ship/resort moves each night to a new port for another full day. There are many opportunities for adventures, shopping, and exploration. Prices are from $499 D/occupancy plus taxes, port charges. Discounted cabins will only be available for a few months, then unsold cabins are returned to cruise line. Did I mention $899 Balcony staterooms? Additionally, a pre-cruise extension will be offered in Old San Juan, where you can stroll through five centuries of history. Our extension offers a visit to the only Tropical rainforest in the US national forest system, a two-night stay in a historic hotel, and one of the world wonders, a kayak trip into a premier bioluminescent lagoon. For information and brochure, please contact Violet at Montrose Travels group department, 800-301-9673. www.montrosetravel.com/sierraclub Ldrs: John Lajeuness, Donna Specht, and Andrea Lim.

[photo credit Samarys Sequinot and Carmen Guerro, Sierra Club]

OCTOBER 6-18, 2008 CHINA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
Join Angeles Chapter on a 13-day trip, flying off to the mysterious Far East. China is our destination in this year of the Beijing Olympics. All hotels are deluxe and based on double occupancy: 4 nights in Beijing, 2 nights in Xi’an, 1 night in Hangzhou, 1 night in Suzhou, and 2 nights in Shanghai. All admission fees, transfers, international airfare, three domestic airfares, deluxe hotels, coaches, bilingual Chinese/English guides, and most all meals are included for just $2285 plus taxes & China visa fee. The leaders/escorts are John Lajeuness and Andrea Lim. For itinerary and application, send email to leader (lajeunes@pacbell.net), please insert subject line of “China Tour 08” Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

[photo courtesy Fred Dong]

OCTOBER 8-21, 2008 CHINA-YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE-HONG KONG-MACAU PANDA ADVENTURE
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
Join the leaders on this unique trip where you will see some of the great natural beauty, wildlife, culture, and many historic areas of China. Some are UNESCO world heritage sites. Travel in comfort by Plane, Ship & Bus staying in nice four star hotels or five star cruise ship with most meals included. We will Cruise the picturesque Yangtze River for 3 days including Three Rivers Gorge, Fendu Temples, Gorge Pagodas. Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Center & See Pandas upclose. Spend 4 Days in Hong Kong & Macau and surrounding areas including a free day in Hong Kong. See Beautiful 300’ High Leshan River Buddha, the tallest in the World & UNESCO world heritage site. See Dazu Rock Carvings a UNESCO world heritage site. Chongqing City & Museum tour including a visit to the Stillwell Museum & home of the WWII American Flying Tigers. (Note that dates are subject to change)

Price: $2,995 plus taxes and visa fees until May 22nd (May 23rd-July 31st $3,195, after July 31st depends on airfare cost). Non-members add $100. Sign-up, send 2 large sase, Phones, SC#, e-mail address, deposit check of $300 (Sierra Club) to: Bruce Hale, 3025 Alabama St., La Crescenta, CA 91214 phone 818-957-1936. Leaders: Fred Dong, Bruce Hale

[photo courtesy Fred Dong]

NOVEMBER 21 – DECEMBER 6, 2008 DESTINATION: COSTA RICA
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
Sixteen day tour from the Pacific beaches to the wild Northern Caribbean with stops in San Jose, Arenal, Santa Elena/Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero Village, Cahuita and everything in between. Why watch a National Geographic special when you can live it? On layover days, we will do some hiking and explore why this country is known for its enlightened approach to conservation. Visit Volcanoes, rain forests, ecological reserves, wildlife refuges and see spectacular wildlife: Crocodiles, exotic birds, sloths, all kinds of monkeys, frogs, snakes, coatis, and more. You can seek adventure in the jungle canopy or chill out in a hammock and enjoy la pura vida and the local tico culture. Sierra Club Member cost $1295, Non member cost $1395 (Sierra Club) includes up-graded accommodations (dbl. occup.), private 21-passenger air-conditioned coach, 16 meals/happy hours, some park/entrance fees, guides, misc. Discounted group airfare offered. For itinerary, application, cancellation policy send email to: Donna Specht, (donnaspecht@juno.com) Leaders: Mike Sappingfield, Donna Specht, John Lajeuness

[photos courtesy Donna Specht]

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 12 DELUXE NICARAGUA TRIP
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter) SOLD OUT
Come with us on our second small (18 participants) adventure to Nicaragua. Most travelers will be happy to know that Central America’s largest country is also one of the safest! The charms of Nicaragua are the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, visiting lava-filled volcanoes and isolated palm-lined islands with all the tropical diversity of its neighbor to the south, Costa Rica. Join us on our adventure to this country before too much tourism spoils it. In Nicaragua we will spend two night in Esteli, a coffee-growing region; three nights in Leon, home to poets, museums and fabulous cathedrals. We have four nights in Granada, the oldest city in the Americas, one night on Nicaragua’s candidate for “Eight wonder of the world” Ometepe, plus three nights in resort accommodations in the beach town of San Juan del Sur. In between these locations, there are visits to volcanoes, lava tube walks, a swim in a clear beautiful lake in an extinct volcano (ala Crater Lake), boats to tropical islands, and walks in/around historical and cultural sites. Our trip fee of $1395 includes deluxe accommodations (dbl. ocup.), private 20-passenger air-conditioned coach, over 20 meals/happy hours, all park/entrance fees, guides, tours, misc. Discounted group airfare offered. For itinerary and application, send email to leader (lajeunes@pacbell.net), please insert subject line of “Nicaragua 08”. Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Ldr: John Lajeuness, Asst: John Corcoran.

NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 9, 2008 TAHITI AND FRENCH POLYNESIA CRUISE
RATING: C/O (Angeles Chapter)
Follow the trade winds to the South Pacific on this 10-day trip aboard Princess Cruise Line’s luxurious 670-passenger ship, Tahitian Princess. Relax as a gracious crew attends you. Swim by day then dance the night away to tropical sounds. Dine in elegance or casual attire after a yoga lesson. Enjoy top rated nightly entertainment or catch a first run movie. Join friendly on-board get-togethers and group dinners arranged by Sierra Club cruise coordinator. Unwind under balmy skies on Papette, Bora Bora, Raiatea and Moorea where the ship anchors overnight. Explore ancient villages, archeological sites, local museums and white sand beaches. Scenic cruising to Huahine and Rangiroa. Sierra Club group rates from $1299/inside cabin (per person, double occupancy), plus airfare, port charges, government taxes, transfers. This popular destination is a quick sellout - reserve early! Contact Violet at Montrose Travel (800-301-9673) for complete price list and brochure. Visit website: www.montrosetravel.com/sierraclub. Cruise Coordinator: MARY MORALES (10ter@cox.net)

[image courtesy of PhotoTravel1]