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Costa Rica – The Jewel of Central America
Located between Nicaragua and
Panama in Central America is the
small but diverse country of
Costa Rica. Known for its
spectacular natural beauty and
biodiversity, Costa Rica boasts
over 15 different ecosystems
with dramatic changes in
landscapes, climate and nature.
Magnificent beaches stretch for
miles along an unspoilt
coastline; high on the
mountains, cool and pristine
cloud forests are alive with
mysterious sounds and below
splendid tropical rainforests
are packed with life.
The country is famous for its
progressive approach to
conservation and is the prime
eco-tourism destination in
Central America due to its
wealth of protected areas. Over
25 percent of the country is
protected, spread between 75
different national parks,
wildlife refuges and biological
reserves.
In such a small geographical
area it is surprising how much
there is to see and do. There
are activities to suit all
travellers and any mood, from
action to relaxation. These
include surfing, snorkelling and
sunbathing, horse riding,
rafting, sea kayaking, hiking
and wildlife-spotting, deep sea
fishing or river cruises. Catch
awe-inspiring volcanic eruptions
or one can also simply enjoy a
soak in the hot springs
surrounded by tropical
vegetation.
Travellers are also drawn to the
country because of the endearing
Tico hospitality. Costa Ricans
are known for their incredible
gregariousness and delightful
ability to pamper guests -
whether pointing out the right
direction or cooking a typical
authentic meal, they will be
full of smiles and warmth. All
this together with easy
accessibility and an efficient
infrastructure makes Costa Rica
the jewel of Central America and
a gem of a vacation destination. |
Not to miss attractions:
Monteverde Cloud
Forest Biological
Reserve
The cloud forest is
one of the most famous
ecotourism areas in
Central America. It is
called a cloud forest
rather than a rainforest
because of the altitude.
At an elevation of
1,200m to 1,600m, the
clouds go through the
forest creating a misty
and often dripping,
mystical habitat
supporting a rich
biodiversity of flora
and fauna. It has been
acclaimed as one of the
most outstanding
wildlife refuges in the
New World Tropics. The
canopy is alive with
over 400 species of
birds, including the
resplendent quetzal most
easily seen during the
March/April nesting
season, as well as
thousands of insect
species and plants. In
the shadows below are
over 100 species of
mammals, including five
species of cats,
although a glimpse of a
jaguar is a very rare
thing. There are a
number of good walking
trails that lead through
the six distinct
ecological zones varying
from swamp forests and
deep gorges, past
waterfalls and streams
and onto forested
outcrops traversing the
Continental Divide.
Parque Nacional Volcán
Arenal
The national park is
situated within the
Arenal Conservation
Area, also known as 'the
Energetic Heart of Costa
Rica'. At its centre is
the 1,633m Volcán Arenal,
a typically cone-shaped
image despite being
highly active, with some
huge eruptions and larva
flows that killed
thousands of people in
1968. Although
perpetually active the
degree of activity is
unpredictable, ranging
from rumbling and ground
shaking to a smouldering
red glow best visible at
night. Sometimes
visitors are treated to
a fiery display of
red-hot rocks being
thrown into the air. The
park has some good
trails that go through
forests, passing through
the area that was
flattened in the 1968
eruption, or across lava
fields.
Parque Nacional
Tortuguero
Despite its isolation on
the northern part of the
Caribbean coast, this
national park is an
extremely popular
destination and one of
the most important
nesting sites of the
green sea turtle, which
lays its eggs here
between July and
October. Three other
turtle species also use
the beach as a nesting
ground, namely the giant
leatherback, hawksbill
and loggerhead turtles.
The park covers an area
of over 189 sq km,
protecting not only the
turtle beach, but also
wetlands and swamps,
forests and one of the
most developed reefs in
the country. Nature
trails in the park offer
opportunities for
wildlife viewing and
birding and a network of
waterways serves as an
alternative method of
transportation and
exploration.
Parque Nacional Cahuita
The only coral reef on
the Costa Rican
Caribbean coastline is
found within this
national park, and with
500 species of fish it
affords excellent
opportunities for
snorkelling. It has
stunning beaches and is
good for both land and
water activities making
it one of the most
visited parks on the
Caribbean coast. A
well-defined trail runs
through the coastal
rainforest and howler
monkeys and sloths are
among the wildlife
attractions.
Parque Nacional Manuel
Antonio
Manuel Antonio is the
smallest national park
but also one of the more
popular ones. With
beautiful white beaches
and rocky headlands,
backed by tropical
rainforest, mangroves
and estuaries, it is
easy to see why. Among
this varied landscape
are typical Costa Rican
animals like sloths,
agoutis, monkeys and
iguanas.
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PACIFIC COSTA RICA: 9 day tour
ex San Jose from $755*
per person twin share land only
(plus AU$105 local payment).
Highlights include the beaches
of Costa Rica, La Fortuna,
Arenal Volcano and Hotsprings,
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,
Manual Antonia National Park and
more! Price includes 8 nights
accommodation, transportation by
minibus, services of a tour
leader, all activities and
entrance fees as per itinerary,
Volcanic Hotsprings Excursion,
Guided Walking Tour Monteverde
Cloudforest, Manuel Antonia
National Park, 2 breakfasts and
more! Maximum size of group is
just 16 people.
READ MORE >>
To find out more information
email:
sandra.whittington@escapetravel.com.au
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Did you know.....
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Costa Rica
is Spanish for
"Rich Coast".
Its 50,000
square
kilometers makes
it a little
bigger than
Switzerland.
10% of the
country's 4
million
inhabitants live
in San José.
The inhabitants
of Costa Rica,
who call
themselves "Ticos",
are mostly
descendants of
the Spanish
conquerors.
Compared with
many other
countries in
Latin America,
Costa Rica has a
very high
standard of
education.
Approximately
93% of all
adults are able
to read and
write.
In Costa Rica
there are four
different
species of
monkeys: Howler,
Spider,
White-faced
Capuchin and
Squirrel monkey.
The Quetzal,
Pharomachrus
Mocinno, is
considered to be
one of the most
beautiful birds
of the new
world. The
Quetzal is still
found in large
numbers in the
forests of Costa
Rica.
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Email:
coffsharbour@escapetravel.com.au
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Something
outstanding:
ULTIMATE NEW ZEALAND
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Ultimate New Zealand is a 15 day
fully escorted experience through
the spectacular South Island. With a
key emphasis placed on great food
and wine, luxurious accommodation
and iconic activities this amazing
holiday will satisfy any appetite
for a new and unique journey. With
departures commencing in September
2008, this exclusive tour
incorporates experiences such as
helicopter flight seeing, whale
watching and an overnight cruise on
Doubtful Sound. Tour in a purpose
built coach with a maximum 20 other
travellers and stay in the very best
accommodation, whilst enjoying
superb cuisine.
From AUD$8999* per person twin share
land only. Single Supplement
AUD$2200*. |
To find out more information, email:
sarah.luck@escapetravel.com.au
or
READ MORE >>
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Email:
coffsharbour@escapetravel.com.au
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SOUTH PACIFIC: |
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Norfolk Island Earlybird Sale
Save up to
$640* per couple! 7 nights from $999* per
person twin share. Includes return flights
to Norfolk Island, return airport transfers,
7 nights accommodation at Panorama Seaside
Apartments, 7 days car hire, FREE island
tour, a bonus seaside picnic breakfast on
Saturday and taxes payable from Australia.
READ MORE >>
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TAHITI - Eat for FREE*
TAHITI:
From $1999* per person twin share.
Includes return flights to Papeete, 5 nights
accommodation at Sofitel Tahiti Resort, FREE
breakfast and dinner daily, return airport
transfers and taxes payable from Australia.
MOOREA: From $2879* per person twin
share. Includes return flights to Papeete, 1
night accommodation in Tahiti, return
airport transfers, domestic airfare from
Papeete to Moorea, 5 nights accommodation at
InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa with
breakfast and dinner daily and taxes payable
from Australia.
BORA BORA: From $3439* per person twin
share. Includes return flights to Papeete,
1 night accommodation in Tahiti, return
airport trnasfers, domestic airfare from
Papeete to Bora Bora, 5 nights accommodation
at Sofitel Bora Bora Beach Resort with
breakfast and dinner daily and taxes payable
from Australia.
READ MORE >>
For more information, email
belinda.parmenter@escapetravel.com.au or
CLICK HERE for website.
1300-738-888 |
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ASIA: |
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PENANG - On Sale
From
$1388* per person twin share. Includes
return flights to Penang, 5 nights
accommodation (for the price of 4), return
airport transfers, breakfast daily and taxes
payable from Australia.
READ MORE >>
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Vietnam: Saigon from $1069*
From
$1069* per person twin share. Includes
return flights to Saigon, 4 nights
accommodation, breakfast daily and taxes
payable from Australia.
READ MORE >>
SABAH - On Sale
From $1455* per person twin share. Includes
return flights to Sabah, 5 nights
accommodation, return airport transfers,
FREE late check out until 2pm, breakfast
daily and taxes payable from Australia.
READ MORE >>
Everest Adventure
Mountains,
monasteries, Sherpa culture and stunning
views of Mt Everest. 13 day guided tour &
trek from $1490* per person twin share -
land only ex Kathmandu. Plus local flights
in Nepal from $280* per person. Includes 12
nights accommodation, services of a tour
leader, local guides, airport transfers,
transportation, personal trek equipment, 12
breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners, porterage
on the trek, sightseeing and entrance fees.
READ MORE >>
For more information, email
sandra.whittington@escapetravel.com.au or
CLICK HERE for website.
1300-738-888 |
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USA & CANADA: |
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Disneyland - Bonus FREE Car Hire!
From $1999* per person twin share. Includes
return flights to Los Angeles, 4 nights
accommodation at Anaheim Plaza Hotel and
Suites, a 3-day Disneyland Resort Park
Hopper Bonus Ticket, up to 7 days FREE car
hire with UNLIMITED mileage and taxes
payable from Australia.
READ MORE >>
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Rocky Mountaineer - Classic Rail Circle
SPECTACULAR RAIL ADVENTURE for the
INDEPENDENT TRAVELLER! 9 days / 8 nights
from $2645* per person twin share land
only. Includes 8 nights accommodation, 4
day Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service,
Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic
Experience, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches,
Columbia Icefield Excursion, Exclusive
Attractions Pass, Rail station transfers in
Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper, Quesnel and
Whistler.
READ MORE >>
Los Angeles - Bonus Car Hire!!
From $1675* per person twin share. Includes
return airfare to Los Angeles and taxes
payable from Australia.
BONUS: Up to 7 days car hire FREE when
you book a minimum of 2 nights
accommodation!! Includes unlimited mileage.
READ MORE >>
For more information, email
sarah.luck@escapetravel.com.au or
CLICK HERE for website.
1300-738-888 |
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UK & EUROPE: |
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EMIRATES NEW YEAR SALE TO UK/EUROPE
Travel
to Europe with Emirates from only $2547* per
person return. Includes return flights,
taxes AND a bonus $500* credit to spend on
accommodation, car hire, tours and more!
READ
MORE >>
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Contiki's Earlybird Tour Deal - Save up to
$300*
Save 7.5% off the cost of your Contiki
Europe tour when you book for travel in
September, October or November 2008. But
hurry... you must book by 20 March 2008.
READ
MORE >>
ITALIAN SERENADE
Travel from Rome to Venice with this 3
night tour.
Priced from $898* per person twin share
land only. Includes 3 nights accommodation,
breakfast daily, 3 dinners, transportation
by air-conditioned coach, services of a
multilingual guide and a Florence
Sightseeing Tour.
READ
MORE >>
For more information, email
peter.elks@escapetravel.com.au or
CLICK HERE for website.
1300-738-888 |
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CRUISING: |
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Southampton to Brisbane...
50% EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT
49 nights
cruising onboard ARCADIA now from $9715* per
person twin share cruise only. Includes 49
night cruise onboard Arcadia with all meals,
entertainment, port charges and government
taxes included. Ports of call include
Southampton, Palma, Athens, Cairo, Suez
Canal, Sharm El Sheikh, Salalah, Mumbai,
Phuket, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Kemaman,
Bangkok, Koh Samui, Singapore, Fremantle,
Albany, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
READ
MORE >>
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Treasures of the Nile
Explore
the best of the Egypt with this 8 night
cruise/tour. From $2250* per person twin
share. Includes 4 nights accommodation in
Cairo, 4 night Nile cruise visiting Luxor,
Edfu and Aswan, 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4
dinners, sightseeing as per itinerary,
English speaking guides and domestic flights
from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan to
Cairo. Does not include international
flights.
READ
MORE >>
Hawaiian Islands
7 nights
FLY/CRUISE on Pride of America from $2674*
per person twin share. Includes return
flights to Hawaii, 7 night cruise onboard
Pride of America with all meals and
entertainment included whilst onboard, port
charges, government taxes, pre paid
gratuities and air taxes payable from
Australia.
READ
MORE >>
For more information, email
dawn.smith@escapetravel.com.au or
CLICK HERE for website.
1300-738-888 |
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AUSTRALIA HOLIDAYS: |
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Margaret River Wine Region - WA
Quay West
Resort Bunker Bay, Margaret River Wine
Region. On the absolute beachfront of the
crystal clear waters of Bunker Bay and
protected by the Cape Naturaliste promotory.
2 nights from $602* per person twin share
land only. Includes 2 nights accommodation
in a studio villa, full breakfast daily, 50
minute relaxation massage per person and a
choice of either a facial, hand therapy,
foot therapy or salt scrub.
READ
MORE >>
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KINGSCLIFF - Mantra on Salt Beach
4 nights
from $269* per person twin share land only.
Includes 4 nights accommodation in a hotel
room - for the price of 3 nights.
Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff welcomes
you to a new beachfront resort in northern
New South Wales, just near the Queensland
border. Golden sand extends for miles, and
ocean views stretch as far as the eye can
see. READ
MORE >>
SYDNEY - Hotel Stellar.
2 nights
from $200* per person twin share land only.
Includes 2 nights accommodation in a studio
room and light breakfast daily.
Hotel Stellar is a recent addition to the
boutique hotels of the world, following a
multi-million dollar transformation in one
Sydney’s premiere locations, adjacent to
Sydney’s Hyde Park and the Oxford Street
gateway, in the city’s centre.
READ MORE >>
For more information, email
haydee.payer@escapetravel.com.au or
CLICK HERE for website.
1300-738-888 |
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Email:
coffsharbour@escapetravel.com.au
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Costa Rican Gallo Pinto
Recipe (beans and rice)
In Costa Rica, there is a
great variety of exquisite
restaurants with
international cuisine.
However, daily life is
characterized by simple,
local places; the so-called
Sodas, where typical Costa
Rican dishes like Gallo
Pinto is served. If you do
visit Costa Rica, you’re
unlikely to ever forget this
rice and beans dish!
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INGREDIENTS:
450 grams Black beans. Fresh are best but
most likely you’ll find them dried.
8-10 sprigs coriander fresh or frozen, not
dried!
1 small or medium onion
½ small red or yellow capsicum
3 cups chicken broth or water
2 cups white rice
½ teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1-3 Tablespoon oil to fry the Gallo Pinto |
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METHOD:
If beans are dried, cover with water and
soak overnight, if they are fresh, just rise
them off. Drain the beans and add fresh
water to 2.5cm above the top of the beans,
salt, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and
reduce heat to very low simmer until beans
are soft (~3 hours).
Chop coriander, onion, and capsicum very
fine.
Add 1 Tablespoon oil to a large pan and
sauté the dry rice for 2 minutes over medium
high flame then add half of the chopped
onion, capsicum and coriander and sauté
another 2 minutes. Add water or chicken
broth, bring to a boil, cover and reduce
heat to simmer until rice is tender (20-35
minutes)
Once the rice and beans are cooked you can
refrigerate or freeze them. Keep a
significant amount of the “black water” with
the beans (½-1 cup). This is what gives the
rice its color and some of its flavor. Sauté
the rice, beans reserved chopped onion,
capsicum and coriander together in vegetable
oil for a few minutes. Sprinkle with a
little fresh chopped coriander just before
serving.
Once the rice and beans are cooked you can
also refrigerate or freeze them. Make up
small batches of Gallo Pinto when you want
it by simply sautéing them together.
In Guanacaste they sometimes use small very
hot red peppers instead of or in addition to
the capsicum.
Source:
http://costa-rica-guide.com/Introduction/Recipes.htm
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Email:
coffsharbour@escapetravel.com.au
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Airport Parking in Coffs Harbour
CLICK HERE for more information |
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1300- 738 -888
* Prices are per person, twin
share (where accommodation/car hire is
included, unless otherwise stated), subject
to availability at the time you make a
booking and conditions apply. Travel date
restrictions apply. Prices may vary due to
changes in taxes, currency and flight
routings. Travel agent booking fees may
apply in addition to prices quoted. Offers
may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Please see our website for further details.
Kelly Travel
Company, Escape Travel.
PO Box 1224
Suite 3, 144-148 High
St,
(Corner Moonee Street)
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Phone: (02) 6651-2747
Fax: (02) 6651-3334
Email:
coffsharbour@escapetravel.com.au
Web:
www.kellytravel.com.au
ABN: 37 067 920 441
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