Costa Rica Turrialba 2016 Outbound
Nineteen ambassadors traveled on an exchange to visit the Turrialba, Costa Rica Club from February 1-7, 2016. Those attending were: Joanne (ED) & Richard Collins, Sue & Rob Linehan, Jule & Dennis Yemma, Carol & Chris Nasby, Beverly Harmon & Kevin Janiak, Sibby Yemma, Elin Derickson with her friend, Jane Scanlon, Michelle Kemps, Susan Beaudry, Linda Sadler, Jonnie Sprimont and Lynn Van Horne & Kurth Fatt (from FF of Orlando Club). Most of the club few together on Spirit Airlines from Ft Lauderdale – San Jose, C.R. We were able to secure a good rate of $390 roundtrip per person. After a short 2-1/2 hour flight, we arrived at San Jose, the capital of this gorgeous country. We arranged a private bus transport to Turrialba through Horizontes Tours (cost pp was $25).
Everyone was met by their hosts and taken to their private homes for a wonderful dinner and accommodations for the 6-day stay. A lovely Welcome Lunch was prepared for us in the local park pavilion complete with dancing and arts & crafts (we painted cute little vases). Everyone enjoyed the art and exercise! During our stay, we visited sugar cane, macademia nut and coffee plantations and the Farm Tayutic in Sitio Mata. We toured CATIE, a teaching institution with a botanical garden with plants that represent more than 280 species from all over the world. We toured the Irazu Volcano and La Basilica, a holy shrine in the town of Cartago. We enjoyed a day at the Guayabo National Monument (archeological site) and visited an ExPat's farm where we were treated to homemade tamales. We concluded with a tour to Santa Rose, a local coffee producer and a rousing Farewell Party complete with lots of picture taking, singing and dancing. A great time was had by all.
Following the exchange we arranged through Horizontes Tour a 6-day excursion (2/7-2/13) through Costa Rica that concluded with a trip to the Pacific coastline. All the group participated in White Water Rafting and most of the group ziplined in the Arenal Volcanic Area. We enjoyed soaking in hot thermal pools of water one evening. The guide, Jonas, was exceptional! The “icing on the cake” was the warm welcome we received from the Alejuela Group, who visited us here last November. They picked us up in their private cars at the hotel and had a large party for us complete with dancing to a DJ's music and excellent food and drink. We were struck by the warm of the Costa Ricans and their genuine hospitality. What a memorable adventure!
