HAWAII EXPEDITON 2011

Transcription

1 HAWAII EXPEDITON DAYS/7 NIGHTS Mar 12 to Mar 19 Aloha! Welcome to e island paradise of Hawaii! Step off your airplane, and hop on shore Hawaii's most popular island, Oahu, e ird largest of e islands. Get ready to explore Hawaii, including its rich Polynesian influence, e biggest attack on e American Navy at Pearl Harbor, and e legendary Nor Shore International Surfer's competition. We will also have e unique opportunity to hike e famous volcanic mountain, Diamond Head and snorkel among e colorful fish in e beautiful clear waters of Hawaii. Let's not forget a festive and fun Hawaiian luau, wi traditional hula dancers! It's time to experience e island spirit of Aloha (love, peace, and diversity!) on Oahu's beautiful shores. Arrival Airport: Honolulu International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu between 12 pm (noon) and 8 pm HST. Belo USA contact phone numbers: Toll free: am to 6pm CST FAX: chi@belousa.com Emergency contact: Toll free: (Trip Coordinator - 24 hours during trip dates) Some of our educational goals of e trip include: 1. Learn about e most unique culture wiin e United States. 2. Explore e many cultural differences and wonders of Hawaii 3. Promote international understanding. 1

2 PROGRAM MAR 12 SATURDAY Arrive in Honolulu, HI Aloooooooha! E Komo Mai! (Welcome!) 12 pm and 6 pm - Student Arrivals. The students will be able to relax, use e hotel facilities, swim and meet oer students as ey arrive. 8:00 pm - Dinner (included). 9:00 pm - Orientation Meeting (mandatory). At e orientation, Belo USA will give all students e guidelines, as well as e logistical specifics for e trip. The Trip Chaperone and e Belo trip coordinator will introduce emselves so students know who ey are and what eir role is during e trip. This meeting will prepare all students to safely enjoy is fantastic trip. MAR 13 SUNDAY Catamaran Tour / Surf Lesson 9:00 am Departure from e Hotel. Get ready to hop on board e Catamaran! We are going to sail around Waikiki and Diamond Head (included). Depart from Waikiki Beach and enjoy is 90 minute cruise on a spectacular 45-foot catamaran rough stunning blue waters, several miles past Diamond Head and back. Once aboard, we will sit back, relax, and enjoy e gentle rocking of e ocean while we listen to some excellent island music, and maybe even participate in an onboard dance party! We might see flying fish, turtles, dolphins, and if we're lucky - whales! This is a truly amazing way to experience all at Hawaii's beautiful ocean has to offer. 11:30 am Walk across e street to e International Marketplace! Grab some lunch (not included) and do some shopping at Oahu's biggest, most diverse marketplace. This is a great chance to buy some cool souvenirs from auentic Hawaiian boos to gifts from around e world, e International Marketplace truly celebrates e diversity of e aloha spirit! 1:00 pm It's time to test your surfing skills on Hawaii's beautiful ocean waves! (included) We will be taking a beginner's surf lesson on Waikiki beach. Noing compares to catching a great wave in paradise. You might even catch a glimpse of some tropical fish or sea turtles in e clear water while you're gliding back to shore! 6:00 pm - Watch e sun set over Waikiki as you eat dinner in Waikiki (included). MAR 14 MONDAY Nor Shore / Polynesian Cultural Center 9 am - Depart to e Nor Shore. We will visit true Oahu - e naturally beautiful Nor Shore. Here, we will stop to play or relax at Pipeline, Sunset, and Bonzai beach - home to some of e best surf competitions in e world! 11:00 am We will have lunch at Haleiwa town. This auentic Oahu town offers a nice selection of art galleries, surf shops and Hawaii's original shave ice The perfect treat for a hot Hawaiian day! (Lunch not included). 2:00 pm Are you ready to experience 7 different Polynesian cultures? Welcome to e Polynesian Culture Program! We will learn e languages, customs, lifestyles, arts and crafts, architecture, food and dress of seven island nations: Samoa, Aotearoa (Maori New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, e Marquesas, Tonga and, Hawaii. You will experience eir culture by doing hand crafts, learning how to dance and eating eir typical food. 7:00 pm - Dinner (included). 2

3 PROGRAM MAR 15 TUESDAY Pali Lookout / Kailua Beach 9:00 am Prepare your cameras today we are going to visit e east side of e Island. Boarding our bus, we will head to Pali Lookout, a spot at's a feast for your eyes. The Nuuanu Pali Lookout ("Cool Height Cliff") overlooks e 985 foot cliffs of e Koolau Mountain Range, and is one of e best views on O'ahu. It was here in 1795 at King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated e O'ahu armies and united e Hawaiian Islands. This historic view is truly breataking! 11:00 am - Adventure to Kailua Beach! Kailua Beach Park is often considered e "Best Beach in e World," and is great place to enjoy swimming and oer recreational activities. It is also e home of world-class wind surfing competitions, and a prime destination for kayakers - amateurs and professionals alike! Free time for Lunch (not included). Get your paddle, we will row our kayaks to e Mokulua Islands. Be prepared, because we might have some turtles in our way (optional): Kayak: $ Includes: 4-hour guided kayak tour, life jackest, padded backrest, hiking tour on Moulua Island and expert guides. Also includes lunch (sandwich, snack and water). 5:00 pm Return to e Hotel and time to relax. 7:00 pm Dinner (included). MAR 16 WEDNESDAY Diamond Head Trail/ Soccer and Volley/ Ala Moana Shopping 9:00 am - Departure to Diamond Head Trail! Bring lots of sunscreen and water, and certainly do not forget your camera! You won't want to miss e breataking view from atop Diamond Head, e world's most famous volcanic crater. Don't worry about falling in e lava - Diamond Head has been extinct for 150,000 years! It even served as an early Naval Defense Base in e United States Military - a smart choice by America, since you can see for miles and miles from e top! We will be hiking one mile up sunny trails and unique spiraling staircases, but don't count on being exhausted when you reach e top. You'll feel refreshed and liberated once you lay your eyes upon e beauty of Oahu - gorgeous Waikiki Beach, plus e Leeward coastal beaches, bountiful mountain ranges, and e endless sparkling-blue Pacific Ocean. You can even catch a glimpse of two oer Hawaiian Islands, Molokai and Lanai, in e distance. It is truly unforgettable! 1:00 pm - Return to Waikiki to relax, eat lunch (not included). This afternoon we will have soccer and beach volley tournaments. Get ready for some fun activities. 5:00 pm - Shopping at Ala Moana mall! Ala Moana Center is Hawaii's premier shopping, entertainment, and dining destination - wi over 260 stores and venues in a unique indoor/outdoor open air environment. Visit luxury brand shops, international boutiques, and local specialty stores - including Hilo Hattie, e store of Hawaii! 7:00 pm - Dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (included). MAR 17 THURSDAY Pearl Harbor & The USS Arizona National Monument/ Social Project 7:00 am - 8:00 am - Departure to Pearl Harbor & e USS Arizona National Monument. We will tour Hawaii's famous Pearl Harbor, home of e USS Arizona, which serves as e final resting place for many of e American battleship's 1,177 crew members who lost eir lives on December 7, 1941 after e infamous Japanese attack. 3

4 PROGRAM The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is "ground zero" where World War II began for e United States. We will learn Pearl Harbor's historical importance, relive e events of e attack, and hear some amazing stories about USS Arizona survivors. From Pearl Harbor, we will head to Downtown Honolulu where you can e State Capitol and we will stop at Iolani Palace 12:30 pm - Lunch (not included). 2:00 pm - Depart for social project. We also will be able to learn a bit more about e history of Pearl Harbor rough a Social Activity. We will be adding a tour to e USS Missouri, a national memorial for e Navy of e US. There is a great deal of historical significance about is ship as it was where e peace treaty at e end of e WWII was signed by President Truman. This afternoon we will have an opportunity to give back and help out by helping e community! Through our partnership wi e USS Missouri, Get ready to help to restore different sections of is amazing ship! (Please wear cloes at can get dirty.) 5:00 pm - Head back to Hotel. Dinner (included). MAR 18 FRIDAY Snorkeling / Luau 9:00 am - Departure from e Hotel for a day of snorkeling in e sun! Snorkeling is an up close and personal look at Hawaii's amazing sea life. We will explore e crystal blue ocean water, full of diverse species of fish, rays, octopus, crabs, eels, turtles, and more! Since ey are not afraid of humans, you can get incredibly close to e wildlife. You can bring an underwater camera for some colorful, fun pictures of your new underwater friends! 1:00 pm - Lunch (not included). Return to e Hotel for some time to relax and get ready for our Lu'au! 4:00 pm - Departure to Kapolei for Oahu's famous Paradise Cove Lu'au! For one magical evening, see rough e eyes of an entire culture. It begins wi a lei greeting on a secluded beach. Then, travel to ancient Hawaii, where you'll participate in traditional island activities. Play a game of 'Ulu Maika (Hawaiian bowling), get a historical Hawaiian tattoo (temporary, of course!), make your own fresh flower Hawaiian lei, and much more! As e sun sets by e sea, enjoy a delicious Hawaiian lu'au feast while amazing Polynesian performers put on a show - complete wi island music, costumes, and dances - just for you! The Lu'au will be a great way to talk to local Hawaiians, learn about e island culture, and have lots of fun in e process! 10:00 pm - Return to Waikiki hotel, and relax after a night of fun festivities. MAR 19 SATURDAY Depart from Honolulu, HI It's time to say aloha to Hawaii for now, but you will take e aloha spirit, memories, and friendships wi you forever! 12 pm noon - 12 am midnight - Student Departures. DEPARTURE DAY: The students will be taken in groups to Honolulu International Airport. Our staff will be assisting e students wi check in and departure. Departures are between 12 pm noon - 12 am midnight HST from Honolulu International Airport (HNL). Students are not permitted to stay longer an e planned trip - all departing flights must be scheduled for is day. If ere are any flight cancellations or delays, we will communicate wi e host family. Thanks for travelling wi us and we look forward to seeing you very soon! Belo USA Travel Inc. 4

5 WHAT TO BRING/ BUSES Price Includes: Transportation during e trip on a charter bus; 7 Nights in Waikiki (4 person shared accommodations); 7 Hotel Breakfast; 6 Dinners; 1 Luau Dinner and Show; Snorkeling (equipment rental); Catamaran Tour; Surf Lesson; City Tour in Honolulu; Hotels Park Shore Hotel Waikiki 2586 Kalakaua Ave Honolulu, HI Tel. (808) WHAT TO BRING? MANDATORY ITEMS: Original Passport - students will not be allowed to travel wiout eir passport; Approximately US$ for personal expenses during e trip, such as meals, gifts, and oers. If you are interested in buying gifts, remember to bring a larger amount; Alarm clock; Lock for luggage. CLOTHING AND OTHER NECESSARY ITEMS: Shorts - take a look at e weaer before you leave home and decide what you will need to wear; Sandals; Sneakers, tennis shoes and/or trekking boots (mandatory for e hike); T-shirts; Sweatshirts; layered cloing; Tour to Pearl Harbor; Tour to Nor Shore of e Island; Ticket to Diamond Head Trail; Ticket to e Polynesian Cultural Center; Transfer to and from Airport/Hotel/Airport; Belo USA Coordinator; Belo USA Monitor; Exchange Student Organization Chaperone; 1 Trip T-shirt; 1 Trip DVD. Cap; Personal heal products; Sunscreen; Sunglasses; Swimsuit; Accessories (belt, etc.); Watch; If you bring a credit card, leave a copy wi your host family; ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED ITEMS: Camera, memory card and charger; Video Camera and charger; Cell phone and charger; MP3, I-Pod Flag from your country; Musical instrument you play, etc. 5

6 GENERAL CONDITION 01. English is e official language of is trip. 02. It is not allowed, under any circumstance, for any student to separate from e program during e trip. 03. All students must bring eir original passport on e trip, however please leave a copy of your passport wi your host family. 04. At e beginning and end of e trip, each student must leave from and go directly to eir host community, unless e student has written permission from CHI and eir host family. 05. Belo USA Travel Inc. is not responsible for buying any bus, airline and train tickets from e trip's final destination to your host city. It's e student's responsibility to pay for e ticket. 06. Illegal drug use of any kind is prohibited. 07. Stealing of any kind will be severely punished in additional to any possible legal consequences. 08. Purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden. 09. Tattoos and body piercings are extremely discouraged and allowed only wi e preauorization of e natural parents and sponsor/local CHI. 10. Our schedules and itineraries must be followed by all students. The trip coordinator reserves e right to make changes in e schedule, when necessary, or if it is in e best interest of e group. 11. Lodging does not cover incidental costs, such as phone calls, mini-bar purchases, etc. If e students decide to use ese services, ey are responsible for paying ese costs. 12. Keep luggage to a minimum. All students will carry and be responsible for eir own luggage at all times. The maximum amount allowed is 50 pounds (23 kg) and a carry on bag (small bag or back pack). Remember to keep ose items you will need during e day wi you on e bus - like ipods, cameras, wallets, etc. 13. This trip will have one CHI volunteer accompany it as a chaperone per bus. 14. All departure/arrival times from/to our activities will be decided by e coordinators, depending on e exact leng of each activity. 15. The trip has a limited number of vacancies, which will be filled on a first come first serve basis. 16. There must be at least 35 students signed up to open up e trip. However, ere is a possibility for us to open more buses depending on e number of reservations. 17. Belo USA Travel Inc. reserves e right to operate e trip program backwards (i.e., switching e departure city and e arrival city) if needed because of number of students and availability. 18. Swimming: Even if you know how to swim please BE CAREFUL, because you are unfamiliar wi e pool/places and are not aware of all potential hazards. 19. Please note at additional expenses are different for each individual. We believe at $20/per day is enough for food, extra entertainment, optional items, etc, but remember to bring additional money if you are planning to buy gifts. Also remember at anying you buy will have to fit into your suitcase in order to get it on e bus and back home. 20. There will be plenty of ATM machines available during e entire course of e trip in case you need more money. 21. Please bring all cash in US Dollars. 22. If you are not comfortable traveling wi cash, Traveler's Checks are a safer option. Most banks in e US can provide you wi Traveler's Checks, which are accepted at most commercial locations. 23. Travel expenses from your host city to e trip's departing airport are not included in e program fee. 24. If you take any regular medication, make sure to bring enough for e trip's duration. Also, please bring a copy of e prescription in case you might need it (just to be safe.) 25. Since we will be outside, please be careful and use lotion/sunscreen. 26. If any student's conduct is considered harmful to e rest of e students, or if any student breaks any of e program rules, he or she can be sent back to eir host communityimmediately, assuming all extra costs, wi partial reimbursement, to his or her host city/family. Additionally, any violation of e rules and any students removed from e program will be reported to CHI. 27. All prices are in US Dollars. In case of payment by international wire transfer, e dollar/euro/your local currency exchange rate to be considered for conversion will be e one listed by Chase Bank / JP Morgan on e day at e payment arrives in e USA. 28. All oer optional activities at may be offered during student's free time are considered extra costs, and are not included in e overall trip price. 29. Belo USA Travel Inc. is not responsible for e cost of e student's travel expenses from his/her host city to e departure point and back. 30. Lost & Found: all e students' items found during e trip will be sent to Belo USA's office and kept for 60 days after e end of e trip. Any student who has lost someing must send us an wi e description of e item wiin 60 days of e end of e trip. Postage to return e item to any student is e student's responsibility. 31. All students who take part in is trip grant image use rights to Belo USA to produce a trip DVD, as well as use of photos from e trip on our website and program materials. 32. Trip DVDs will be mailed to e host family's address in e USA, via registered letter. The DVD will be sent wiin 60 days after e end of e trip. 33. In case of e DVD malfunction, please return it to Belo USA and a new DVD will be mailed wiin 15 days of receipt. 34. Please make any comments or complaints regarding e trip in writing (via or standard letter) to Belo USA Travel wiin 30 days of e end of e trip to ensure Belo USA a chance to respond. All contracts wi Belo officially end 30 days after e trip and Belo USA, e tour operator, is erefore relinquished of any responsibility. 35. Once any student requests e description of any of e trip's programs organized by Belo USA Travel Inc., e client declares to know and to agree wi all e terms of is General Conditions, at can be found in our trip program or on our web site. Cancellation and Refund Policy: 36. In case we do not achieve e minimum number of participants needed, Belo USA Travel Inc. reserves e right to cancel e trip or to transfer e date and/or to offer oer options of tours as well, according to e clients wish. If is occurs, all payments already made will be returned in full. 37. If e student chooses to leave e program or is sent home for breaking any program rules, he/she will pay a penalty according to e date of his written order to cancel e tour, read below: *Cancelled more an 30 days before e beginning of e trip: 10% of e trip's price. *Cancelled between 29 and 21 days before e beginning of e trip: 20% of e trip's price. *Cancelled between 20 and 7 days before e beginning of e trip: 40% of e trip's price. *Cancelled between 6 days or less before e beginning of e trip: 100% of e trip's price. - If a student cancels his or her trip, any payments previously made cannot be transferred to anoer student or host sibling. 38. Any student who leaves e trip during e program, for any reason, will not receive any refund. 39. A request for reimbursement due to trip cancellation because of an early return of e exchange student to his/her original country, must be made to Belo USA Travel Inc. at least seven (7) days in advance of e program trip's departure. After initial request, reimbursement will be made to a U.S. bank account and e penalties will be applied according to e cancellation and refund policy above. If e student does not follow e deadline established by e program, making it necessary for us to proceed wi e reimbursement rough International Wire Transfer, all taxes and bank fees will be e client's responsibility. - In case of early return of e student from e trip or to his/her original country, cost of return ticket is e student's responsibility. 40. Any cancellations or widrawals must be made in writing via letter, fax or by e tour's participant to Belo USA Travel Inc. 41. Belo USA Travel is not responsible for any reimbursements or change fees associated wi flight or travel arrangements. 6