" ¡ ᗯᗩᑎTEᗪ TO ᗪO TᕼᗩT . . . ᒍᑌᔕT ᑎOT ᗩᒪOᑎE ! ! ! ℠ " DC

We are off on another event. This time to Angkor Wat.
Along the way visiting to Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia.

Our meetup event is full.

In your own home, at your own leisure (anytime -- not just the date of this event): now you can learn a ton in the online portion of Disaster + Travel + Wilderness First Aid! COURSE TOPICS VIDEOS are almost exactly as MEDIC SOLO always presents them with the latest on disaster and wilderness medical science. Intermixed at several points we guide you to practice various skills.

Why not host some events. Great way to meet people!!!

Got an idea for an event or an event you want to do?

NOW is your chance!!!!

It's a new year coming up. AND you want it to be different than the last.
Do you find events and think: "Gee, . . . I like this event but want it closer, or on a different day, or just a little earlier or later."

If you post the event you pick the time, and place and date that in convenient to you. As well as pick the content/topic/focus of the event.

What a win!!!

This meetup is a giant collaboration. In that vein we welcome new organizers.

These are basic rules all organizers must abide by and work within. Mostly they are all about showing a respect for the members.

Best Practices or the rules simplified.

1. No Emailing and no using the "discussion" box
2. No outside links
3. All events are Hosted. There are no "no host" events.
4. List any money costs in the first 2 or 3 lines.
5. Special note about Repeat Events.
6. Special note about city or area in title

Not too many rules. Not too complicated. They all have to do with respect for the membership.

1.) No Emailing AND No Discussion Box
The one BIG BIG rule I have is NOBODY messages the general membership via the email feature. Post the event and let Meetup send out all the notices. The discussion box is just another way for you to send spam. So that is closed, and only for the use and management by and of the (main) organizer only.

2.) No Outside links:
No links to other meetups. No links to other social media (no instagram, no eventbrite, no twitter, no facebook etc).
For instance: Do not just put a Facebook link. Instead copy all the wording from FB and put the words. Plain and simple; Link's are lazy. So don't be lazy!!!
You want members to click the RSVP. So you don't give any other option that may lead them away from the event page.
*** If you "need" outside links of any sort: Contact the lead organizer and just make sure ok. It usually is. Just ask first.

3.) Meetup does not allow "No Host" events. You or the listed Event Host will be there and present. You will welcome and make sure people can find you or the meetup area. And that people will be able to actually be able to meet others from meetup. If members in attendance report you are not attending your events you will not be allowed to continue to post events. If you want to post an "informational" event then go and post it on Craigslist.

4.) List money costs in the first few lines.
This has to do with email notices. The email version of the event sends the first few lines of the writeup. If it's free, . . .say it's free. If it costs . . . say it early so people have the info.
If it is free it is best to include the word "Free" in the title.

5.) Events can repeat no more than every three weeks, unless you get permission ahead of time.
When making a repeating event DO NOT USE the auto-scheduling feature. After your event occurs log on and list it again.
The Auto-pilot is a problem as people forget they listed. They don't show up and people do. The complaints end up being filed against the group and not the organizer that bailed.
If you use the "repeat" feature it will be edited and the future ones edited off.

6.) List the city or area in the title. You get better turnout and less flakes.

There are some general guidelines to making great events
General Guidelines:

• Great wording
• Great Pix
• 4 weeks notice is best

Cost of posting events?
We do not charge for access to the group. We only ask that the event is good decent social and creates community.

TO BE AN ORGANIZER ON THIS GROUP YOU NEED TO DO THREE THINGS:

#1 RSVP to this event.

This event is to help us all plan ahead.

Overseas travel takes a lot of planning in advance. Flights, Time-off, dog sitters . . . Here are our Featured International/Overseas Events so you have the time to get things planned to be able to join.

We started simple and have only gotten better.

Our events are built from scratch and go direct. These are not just some package being re-sold. We create and lead our events. Our events are only posted to meetup. AND . . . they are REAL MEETUP EVENTS!!!

The beauty of meetup is you can come on your own and we help set up the share. We work together as a group and pool resources. So you can pay the lower double occupancy cost and not have a single penalty, unless you wish a solo room.

In other words . . . going as a meetup we get to save money AND increase our fun and adventure.

Come join us on an adventure. You have waited this long. Now is the time to finally create those memories instead of just dreaming of them.

This way you also create new friendships at the same time!!

It's a Meetup . . . in the Galápagos!!

This Meetup Event is for the nature lovers, for the curious explorers and the adventurers who want to experience nature in all its splendor & diversity.

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, considered one of the world's foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing. It's a place where lizards swim, birds walk, and humans — for once — don't take center stage. In 1835 a 26-year-old Charles Darwin introduced the Galápagos Islands to the world with his theory of evolution.

As amazing as you think the Galápagos Islands would be, they exceed all expectations of our group in 2023! That sea lion above in our group photo is not a prop! It was very real, ready to play and pose for a picture. You can see sea lions, giant lizards and many other exotic and friendly creatures, waddling on the streets, playing in the sand or just chilling (sun bathing) on a bench!

We will explore and experience:

• The famous Galapagos penguin and blue footed boobies. Swim with sea turtles and sea lions.
• Tortuga Bay Beach for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or surfing with unique marine life.
• Get close and personal with the giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat
• Explore the Tintoreras islet, home of the white tip sharks and its shark tunnel.
• Visit the Charles Darwin Station, to observe giant tortoises and their babies and learn about this majestic animal.
• Snorkeling around the shore of the Tijeretas Bay
• Boat ride to Kicker Rock with snorkeling
• Sailing to Santa Cruz Island.
• Sail to Isabela Island, the largest of the archipelago.
• Boat tour to Tuneles De Cabo Rosa, a formation of series of above ocean arches, creating an unique snorkeling experience.
• Explore cavernous underground Lava Tunnels.
• Tour the Galapagos rainforest habitat
• San Cristobal Island with visit to the Interpretation Center
• Visit to Los Gemelos, a haven for bird watchers!
• Visit Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano. A 10-mile challenging hike (for those who are interested)
• El Trapiche to see the old methods of extracting cane juice, roasting coffee beans and techniques of distillery.
• Quito with a full day tour and visit to the Equator line
• Visit to the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Land Tour cost $4565 per person, double occupancy
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Solo occupancy additional $990
***Airfare not included***

This is definitely a bucket list type of trip.

It embodies adventure and the romance of traveling to far off places. It is also tempered with safety and do-ability.

The Orient Express...you have heard it many times. The romance, the mystery, the adventure! Of course with the opulence too!

The original Orient Express is but a memory and our journey will mirror elements of the original route, crossing Europe from Paris to Istanbul.

This trip brings back the romance and adventure of train travel, along with the mystery of new cities and countries in a special way - adding value and removing inflated expense of excessive opulence by replacing it with service and contemporary refinement.

We retrace the route of the original Orient Express, using modern Night Trains, High Speed Day Trains, as well as some short hop flights.

Our route takes us to:
Paris - - - Venice - - - Vienna - - - Prague - - - Budapest - - - Istanbul

Included:

• Train transportation between 4 cities.
• 2 nights on an actual night train with sleeping compartment
• Air transportation Paris / Venice and Budapest / Istanbul
• 11 nights in First Class hotels with best central locations
• Breakfast every day
• Some lunches/dinners
• All transfers to/from hotels, train stations or airports
• Guided tours in each city
• Entrances to many museums.
• even a wine tasting along the way.
• and more...

We travel as a group, and also have the flexibility of hop-on, hop-off tours and museum passes with "skip the line" so you enjoy a complete independence. It is all included in the price!
You are free to do your own thing, cater to your special interests, visit other sights and locations in the cities, while still being guided and helped with all the arrangements. A balance of independence when you want it and being included in all group activities when you prefer it.

The idea is: come alone, meet new like-minded people and make lifelong memories . . . without being stuck with the "one size fits all" tour formula.

Here is a basic thumbnail:

PARIS - 3 nights
· Evening fight to Venice
VENICE - 1 night
· Night Train to Vienna
VIENNA - 1 night
· Evening train to Prague
PRAGUE - 2 nights
· Night Train to Budapest
BUDAPEST - 1 night
· Late evening flight to Istanbul
ISTANBUL - 3 nights.
· Sleeper Cabins on the trains and First Class hotels in each city w/ very central locations.

What was The Orient Express?
It was long-distance passenger train service that began in 1883 with the original endpoints being Paris to Istanbul. The original name became synonymous with intrigue and was a showcase of luxury with comfort at a time when traveling was still rough and dangerous.

In Istanbul the Pera Palace Hotel, built in 1892, was the accommodations at the terminus. And we are staying in it!

The original Orient Express ceased operation in 1977 and we are not using the original old train. It no longer exists.

EVERY aspect of this trip is epic.

• Visit picturesque and storied cities.
• Enjoy trains and experience the enchantment of the rails.
• In the end you will have visited 6 countries: France, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Turkey!

The tour starts in Paris on May 29 and ends in Istanbul on June 11.
$5490 total cost per person, double occupancy.
$7090 total cost for solo occupancy.