The trip of a lifetime

Last call for the trip to China.

The window is closing on the July 27 registration deadline for the China trip coordinated by the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Sandpoint chambers of commerce.

Seats are going fast.

"We have been pleasantly surprised at the response from the community," said Todd Christensen, CEO and president of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce.

Since May, interest in the 9-day trip - intended as both a tour of Chinese businesses and the country's greatest tourist attractions - has been so great the chambers bumped up the number of trips from two to five.

Departures are scheduled for Oct. 2, 4, 9, 11 and 18.

So far there are 278 travelers registered, Christensen said.

Only 62 seats remain: Two on the Oct. 11 trip, four on the Oct. 18 trip, and 56 for the Oct. 2 departure.

Anyone is welcome.

Although the chambers hope to introduce local businesses to opportunities in the global market, Christensen said, the majority signed up so far are individuals simply wanting to visit a foreign country.

"We are very impressed with the private individuals who are wanting to travel to explore the people, places and culture of China," he said.

The trip will visit sites like the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, as well as Chinese businesses like a jade factory and a pearl farm.

The total $1,899 package includes airfare, 5- and 4-star hotel accommodations, daily meals and transportation as well as tour guides and attraction entrance fees.

The visa application fee was raised $10 in June to $155, Christensen said.

Coeur d'Alene resident Sandy Emerson said he signed up for the trip to scratch visiting the Great Wall off his bucket list.

"The price sure caught my eye, and I thought we could sure afford that, whereas I hadn't thought we could afford it," he said, adding that he convinced a group of close friends to join him. "I've worked with the chamber, and I feel good about their ability to do things for a group at a good price."

A land appraiser, he may join the tour group to Chinese businesses, but he's also just interested in exploring the local culture and natural resources.

"This is a chance to see a part of the world that has certainly become important during our lifetimes," he said.

Dean Haagenson, owner of Contractors Northwest, Inc., said he will be tagging along both for business and pleasure.

"There's a lot of construction work going on and that's my field, so it will be interesting to see the methods being used," Haagenson said. "Generally speaking I'm not much for organized tours, but the price is attractive, and we're going to be with local people, so you'll end up with people you already know, as well as people you'll get to know."

Trip information is available on www.cdachamber.com.

Individuals can reserve seats by calling Ginger Dalvini with the Coeur d'Alene chamber at 415-0108, or Pam Houser with the Post Falls chamber at 773-5016.