HERE'S the deal... On or about September 14th, 2002, we fly to San Jose, Costa Rica, where we’ll spend a day or two at the charming Flor de Lys hotel enjoying the fruits of this warm, friendly capitol city (fresh seafood, ice-cold Imperial beer, genuine Mariachi music). Fabulous white-water rafting, rainforest trips, and other day excursions are easily booked in advance, or right at the hotel. I usually head down to Costa Rica a week early for a trip to the Arenal volcano and spa, Playa Tamarindo, the Cloud Forest, etc., and I’m happy to help with similar arrangements for those who are interested. While I don’t get involved in actually organizing these activities, if you let me know what your intent will be, I can customize your flights, hotels, etc. to better accommodate you. I can also give you advice on where to stay and what to do.

ON the morning of the 16th, a motor coach will take us across the country (only 2 relaxing, air conditioned hours) to the port town of Puntarenas, where we’ll board the 100-foot luxury live-aboard dive vessel, UnderSea Hunter, for the trip out to Cocos. For seven-and-a-half days we’ll cavort in 80-degree water with hundreds of hammerheads, thousands of white-tips, a zillion reef fish, dolphins, turtles, giant Pacific mantas, marble and mobilus rays, and perhaps a whale shark, or two, off the wild and rocky coast of the largest uninhabited island in the world (kayaking, snorkeling and hiking to mystical waterfalls are also included and available at your whim).

NATURALLY, it’s my intention to keep costs to a minimum while insuring a top-of-the-line experience for everyone. Based on the success of previous StarDive trips, I’ve been able to enlist the help of the ship’s management company, the hotel and various airlines who have not only given us a superb discount, but in some cases, are making donations on their own. So, apart from the satisfaction of helping those who often cannot help themselves, you will have the time of your life, kiss a shark on the nose, see one of the rarest spots in our hemisphere, trudge through a rainforest and receive a nice little tax deduction! What could be better? For this privilege (hey, what are we working for, anyway), including a tax-deductible donation to the Griswold Trust, airfare, hotel, diving, all accommodations aboard the Undersea Hunter, access to Cuban cigars, most transfers - everything (except the 3 Ts--tax, tipping and t-shirts) - the cost will be only $3500. And, did I mention that you also get a nice windbreaker with the StarDive logo!

THE only additional costs will be the National Park fee (usually around $100, payable on board), beer, wine and gift shop purchases, equipment rentals, meals in San Jose, and of course, tipping. Your trip price will include airfare, most transfers, boatfare, all diving (nitrox fills are extra, sadly), hotels, and a StarDive souvenir. A portion of your trip price will be tax-deductible as a donation to the Marion F Griswold Charitable Trust for the Prevention of Child Abuse (an IRS 501(c)3 public trust); in the past, this donation has ranged from $225 to $800 per person, depending upon how much money was left over at the end of the trip.

Regards,
David