Aramco Expats

Sri Lanka is the origin of Serendipity, the discovery of wonderful things by chance. We will spend eleven days in this enchanted isle, visiting Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a turtle hatchery, the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, spice gardens, a cultural show, and an elephant orphanage. The last two days will be spent relaxing on the beach. Deluxe hotels at all locations. Check out the Aitken Spence web site to look at the hotels.

Adult sharing: $ 1,600

Contact Lou Spencer at louis.spencer@yahoo.com or Tom Sedberry at john.sedberry@aramco.com for information.

Why not vacation with a purpose? Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness throughout the world. No prior construction experience is necessary. All teams work with the future homeowners, local volunteers and skilled construction workers; providing construction supervision. Once the build portion of the trip has been completed we will tour the historic countryside of Transylvania. We will stay in the towns of Sighisoara, Sibiu and Brasov, some of the best-preserved medieval fortified towns in Europe. This trip will be limited to 22 people and the cost depends on which option you choose. Both options include airfare, lodging, breakfast and lunch, most dinners, transportation to and from the build site, cultural excursions, traveler's medical insurance, orientation materials and a donation to Habitat Romania.

Option 1: $3,800, includes both participation in the build and touring after the build (9 “L” Days).

Option 2: $3,200, participation in the Habitat build (3 “L” days) with a return date on October 4.

For more detailed information, contact Charlie Franck at cfranck47@yahoo.com or 878-1850.

China's economy is growing by leaps and bounds. See it first hand in this luxury classic China tour. September is the perfect month to travel in China because of the excellent weather. We will be visiting Beijing (the current capital for almost six hundred years), Xi'an (ancient capital for over a thousand years and the starting point of the Silk Road), Guilin (famous for scenery in the southern China) and Shanghai (the finance and business center of the modern China) and Suzhou. We will stay in 5-star hotels all the way. All meals are included as well as some evening performance shows and river cruise. We will be visiting famous sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), Summer Palace, 2008 Olympic Games Grounds and others in Beijing, the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an, the scenic river cruise in Guilin, the Grand Cannel and classic garden tour in Suzhou, then mighty Shanghai. Three sectors of domestic flights are also included. Full board.

Cost: Adult sharing: approximately $3,800.

Contact Chun Tung at 878-4004 or email cp_tung@hotmail.com.

Russia’s most vital cities are Moscow, in the historic heartland at the center of European Russia, and St. Petersburg, established less than 300 years ago on the Gulf of Finland as Russia’s gateway to Europe. In these two places tsars reigned and the world’s greatest communist state was born, Russia’s unique architecture flowered, and the mysteries of the Russian Orthodox Church flourished, as they do today. We will experience 5 days and nights in each city with an overnight train between the two.

Adult sharing approximately $4,450.

Call Tom Sedberry at 878-2502 or email: john.sedberry@aramco.com.

Enjoy a true East African Safari in style with Abercrombie & Kent travel company. The highlight of the safari is three wonderful days in the heart of Masai Mara. Experience the Aberdare Country Club and National Park, complete with night viewing at the famous Ark. Our lodge in Samburu is set amid the semi-desert bush country of the north. View white rhino, lion, leopard and resident flamingo at Lion’s Hill Lodge in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Adult sharing: approximately $3,790.

Contact Julie or Ted Brockish at 875-1503 or email: julie.brockish@aramco.com.

Venture into 5,000 years of history, music, dance, and religion. Tour Delhi, a city of contrasts with sacred cows, snake charmers, and holy men. Explore the Mughal city of Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, a masterpiece in marble, built as a monument to love. This time our tour makes its way west to the shopper’s paradise of Jaipur for elephants and gems. We conclude our visit with three days in Udaipur; a glorious splash of color and culture. This Rajasthani treasure will put you in touch with the “real” India.

Adult sharing: $2,527.

Call John & Judy Lambert on 878-1811 or email john.lambert@aramco.com for a brochure.

This 10-day trip to Vietnam and Cambodia is designed for travelers interested in the region's wonderful scenery, rich culture, beautiful artistic and craft traditions and its exotic and varied cuisine. Highlights of the trip will include excursions to Ha Long Bay, far flung villages, tours of some of the country's finest cultural heritage sites and the magnificent Angkor Temples in Cambodia. The trip will also include ample time for shopping, relaxing and independent exploration.

Cost: Adult sharing approximately $3,740.

Call Tom Sedberry at 878-2502 or email john.sedberry@aramco.com.