«Yours to Discover Culturally & Spiritually»

Transcription

1 Haïti «Yours to Discover Culturally & Spiritually» October 29 th, 2014 November 5 th, 2014 Length of stay: 8 days Price per person in a double occupancy: $2,780 CAD from Toronto $2,680 CAD from New York $2,870 CAD from Montreal Single room: $420 CAD Come with an open heart and open mind to take in a uniquely beautiful culture. Rest assured that you are in the best hands for this wonderful journey that we will experience together. HIGHLIGHTS Each day will begin with a relaxing one-hour Yoga and Meditation session followed by breakfast. We will then explore the city or town we are in that day, taking in the culture, and experiencing it as the people living there do every day. We will visit famous historical, cultural, and spiritual sites and partake in a myriad of different workshops. With all the activities on our agenda, you will surely work up an appetite. Your taste buds will be put to good use as we dine on local treats and experience distinctly Haitian cuisine. The day will not end when the sun goes down, as we partake in all the night-life festivities Haitian-style. We will be travelling during Ghede festival time, so the streets will be alive and full of people dressed up in their Halloween-like attire. By the end of the trip, surely, you will feel as if you are leaving a small part of you behind on the island. 1/8

2 Tour leaders: Originally from Haïti, Marie-Monique Jean-Gilles has been working in the community and cultural field in Canada for a long time. Nicknamed Reine Soleil or queen of the sun, this multi-talented artist - moderator, educator, author, storyteller, producer and filmmaker - seeks to promote a better understanding of the values of her homeland and hopes to encourage social exchanges. As founder of La Bande à Momo, she travels around the world displaying the wonders of Haïti s culture, promoting interculturalism through workshops and performances. She enjoys sharing other, sometimes overlooked, facets of her country such as culinary attributes, hospitality values, spirituality, and history. These values and traditions reveal why this Pearl of the Antilles is so dear to her heart. Alexandra Jean-Joseph holds the position of Communications Assistant for La Bande à Momo's latest project, Haiti: Yours to Discover Culturally and Spiritually. With a degree in Psychology from New York University, Alexandra is fascinated with Haiti's cultural and spiritual practices from a psychological point of view. She uses her interpersonal skills to manage the project's blog, account, and all social media aspects. Alexandra also has a background in dance. As a member of the Mikerline Dance Company, a New York based Haitian folkloric dance troupe, she has a love for showcasing her Haitian roots for the public. She hopes this trip will broaden her experience in this genre of dance, and give her a deeper understanding of the traditions of the Haitian culture 2/8

3 Day 1 Day 2 Itinerary October 29th Welcome to Port-au-Prince Welcome to Port-au-Prince! We land at Port-au-Prince International Airport, step foot onto the Haitian soil, and breathe in the fresh island air. We travel to The Royal Oasis, a high-end establishment located in the heart of Petion-Ville, and the place we will be calling home for the next three days. There will be a Welcome Event followed by our daily Yoga and Meditation session. Afterwards, there will be a Cocktail Hour and Dinner, followed by free time to get acclimated and rest for Day 2. October 30th A Day at the Museums, Culture & Community, and Rock & Roots with RAM Day 2 begins with exploring the town of Petion-Ville and its historical sites. We will visit the famous Fort Jacques, built under the direction of General Alexandre Petion to prevent the return of the French after Haiti s independence. We will then meet with a local official and learn about what is going on in the town. For lunch we will dine at L Observatoire à Boutillier, a restaurant famous for the breathtaking view it offers its patrons. After we break for lunch, we will explore two of the most famous museums in the city, Musée du Panthéon National and Musée du Bureau d Ethnologie. At The Musée du Panthéon National Haitien, or M.U.P.A.N.A.H. as it is affectionately called, we will explore Haiti s culture and heritage. At the Musée du Bureau d Éthnologie (Museum of Ethnology) we will have a welcome reception, entertainment, and be shown a presentation by a local mambo (vodou priestess) and hougan (vodou priest). We will dine at the iconic Hotel Oloffson, an establishment considered to be a landmark in the country s culture. It holds significant historical value and its intricate and rustic interior design on its own would be considered a work of art by many. Our entertainment for the Ghede-themed night is world famous rock & roots band RAM. The legendary band will continue their 17 year music tradition of playing at this treasured establishment. Everyday Life, Spirituality with Max Beauvoir, and A Night to Remember Day 3 October 31st Chez Tante V Day 3 starts off relaxed as we recuperate from our fun-filled night with RAM. We will experience a typical day in Port-au-Prince, touring the city and its famous Iron Market, the Marche en Fer. Then, we venture into Mariani to visit Le Peristyle de Mariani, the temple founded by proclaimed hougan (vodou priest) Max Beauvoir. After a presentation by Beauvoir, we will have lunch and go back to our hotel for free time, rest, and preparation for A Night to Remember: Dinner Chez Tante V. Be prepared for dinner, drinks, and lots of laughter while a live Troubadour band serenades us in the background. 3/8

4 Day 4 November 1st The Beat of Your Own Rum Day 4 begins with our usual Breakfast followed by Yoga/Meditation. Our first stop for the day is the world-famous Barbancourt Rhum. We will receive a tour of the grounds, learn how the rum is made, and enjoy a tasting. After our tour, we will say goodbye to Port-au-Prince and venture to the next town, Cote-des-Arcadins. Here, we will check into the Kaliko Beach Club Resort. We will surely enjoy our harmonious stay along the beach and retreat-like amenities that the resort has to offer. We will enjoy lunch on the beautiful Kaliko Beach, relax, and get some sand between our toes before the night s final activity at Hougan Calixte Eliazar s temple. Upon our arrival at Mr. Eliazar s temple, we will be met by a team of professional musicians that will lead us in a special workshop on Haitian Drumming. We will learn the history behind several sacred drum rhythms and practice playing them. After the drumming activity we will go back to our hotel and enjoy some dinner, free time, and light entertainment. Day 5 November 2 nd Spiritual Art, Fun in the Sun, and Ghede Night Celebrations We begin the day with our relaxing meditation along the beach. Following the meditation, we will head back to Hougan Calixte Eliazar s temple for a second workshop, this time on the sacred art of Veve Making. We will have lunch and visit Moulin sur Mer and its famous history museum, The Ogier-Fombrum, located on the beach. The museum greets us with stories dating back from the pre-columbian era in Haiti. Following the museum visit, we will grab our bathing suits and spend the rest of the day splashing around and enjoying Kaliko Beach. Here, the beach activities are endless. They include, but are not limited to: beach volleyball, diving, snorkeling, and a sunset boat ride. After our beach day, our evening will be spent exploring the Fet Ghede, or All Souls Day, activities going on all around the city. The theme is similar to Halloween, so feel free to dress up in costume as we take in all the fun and festivities. 4/8

5 Day 6 November 3rd Honoring Historical Heroes, A Triangle Tour of Mystical Lakou, & Folklore Dance We leave Cote-des-Arcadins, and head north to Gonaives, the city of independence. This historical city is most known for being the place where Jean-Jacques Dessalines proclaimed Haiti s independence from French rule many years ago. After touring some of Gonaives most famous historical gems, we will explore some of its religious gems as well. We will tour three of the most known vodou temples: Souvenance, Soukri, and Badjo, discovering what makes each so respected. We will participate in a vodou dance class, learning the history and meaning behind key dance movements, and end our temple tour with a performance. Gonaives is also home to many iconic churches, of which we will be visiting two particularly well-known ones. The first is Notre Dame de Alta Grace and the second is La Cathédrale de Gonaives. These churches are extremely significant to the people of Haiti, as people travel from all over the country to visit them. Following the temple and church visits, we continue our exploration of historically significant towns. The next stop is Ennery, the town that houses Toussaint L Ouverture s freedom memorial. We will be checking into Hotel Le Village d Ennery, a quaint establishment located in the mountainous areas near the entrance of the town. After visiting L Ouverture s Freedom Memorial, we will end the day with dinner, free time, and light entertainment back at the hotel. Day 7 November 4th Le Saut to see the Virgin Day 7 begins a bit early. After our pool-side Breakfast and Yoga/Mediation, we leave Gonaives and head to Ville Bonheur Saut D eau Mont Carmelle. Le Saut is a large waterfall in Haiti that holds cultural and religious significance for many. It is believed that the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel appeared on a palm tree there. The water is said to be sacred, and thousands make a pilgrimage to the site to bathe in the water, asking favors of the Virgin. This is the final spiritual activity on the trip, one of the most significant, and guaranteed to be remembered. We will break for lunch and head back to Port-au-Prince, stopping to visit a local artist s private art exhibit on the way. Once back at the hotel, we will pack and prepare for our last day in beautiful Haiti. 5/8

6 Day 8 November 5th Ayiti, M ale This is our last day in Haiti. We will have the morning to shop for gifts and souvenirs in Port-au-Prince. We culminate our wonderful journey with lunch and an End of Trip Reception before heading to the airport. Blog: Discoverhaiti2014.tumblr.com All rights reserved Tips for a responsible traveler : Responsible travel maximizes the benefits and minimizes the negative effects of tourism. You can be a responsible traveler by protecting the environment, buying local products, and respecting local cultures, traditions, and holy places. Useful information about Haïti : Country : Haïti Travel documents : Valid Passport Visa : Not necessary for length of stay Vaccine: Nothing mandatory but you can check with a travel clinic Jetlag: same as Toronto and Montreal Currency : Gourde Climate: approximately 77F to 89F 6/8

7 Prices are based on the exchange rate effective April 10, 2013 and are subject to change (unintentional on our part) should there be an increase in the exchange rate. Our prices include Fare per person based on a minimum of 15 passengers Fare based on a double occupancy room : $2,780 CAD from Toronto Fare based on a double occupancy room : $2,680 CAD from New-York Fare based on a double occupancy room : $2,870 CAD from Montreal Single occupancy room : $420 CAD International flights with Delta Airlines Welcome on arrival and assistance at airports Airport transfers / hotels / airports Comfortable air-conditioned coach bus transportation, as per itinerary Accommodation in quality hotels Local guides for touristic sites and activities Two tour leaders, one from Toronto and one from New York All meals All sites and activities, as per itinerary Gratuity for driver, tour guides, and restaurants Prices do not include Expenses of a personal nature Travel insurance Compensation funds ($1 per $1000) per person CONDITIONS Registration and payment: Each registration entry must be accompanied by a $500 deposit per person, plus insurance. The balance is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: August 29th, Cancellation Fees: If you cancel your trip after payment of the deposit, the amount of the deposit will be forfeited. For cancellation within 60 days of departure, the full amount of the package will be forfeited. Insurance: To cover cancellation and other travel risks, we suggest a package with RBC insurance company including: Cancellation & interruption Air Flight Accident Accident in a public carrier Emergency Medical Expenses Luggage and Personal articles The insurance must be purchased at time of registration Responsibility: Voyages Inter-Missions Inc., its agents and representatives act as agents for various transportation companies and accommodation suppliers in Canada and abroad. In case of events beyond its control, Voyages Inter-Missions reserves the right to cancel, change or modify any or all parts of this trip, at its own discretion and without previous notice to its customers. Moreover, Voyages Inter-Missions reserves the right to refuse any application which it deems unfit for the well-being of the group. 7/8

8 REGISTRATION FORM PASSION TERRE INC. DATE: 300 rue Léo Pariseau, suite 2205, Montréal, Qc, H2X 4B3 Tél. : (514) , Fax: (514) I would like to participate in Haïti Yours to Discover Culturally & Spiritually October 29 th to November 05 th, 2014 Double occupancy room: $2,780 CAD from Toronto Double occupancy room: $2,680 CAD from New York Double occupancy room: $2,870 CAD from Montreal Single occupancy room: $420 CAD Please write in capital letters FIRST and LAST NAME (as written on passport) (1): FIRST and LAST NAME (as written on passport) (2): DATE OF BIRTH: (1) (2) I would like to share my room with: Non-smoker Smoker 1 bed 2 beds Address: City: State/Province: Postal Code: Tel: ( ) Home ( ) Contact in case of emergency: Name: Tel : ( ) I agree with the conditions as read on the journey documentation I agree to receive invoice and practical information via Check the appropriate box: Deposit of $500 per person required for the registration: By check at Voyages Inter-Missions By credit card: Exp. Name of card owner: FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE (MANULIFE / RBC Insurance): Insurance is required to cover your medical and / or cancellations to your trip. You can purchase your insurance directly on our website under the RBC Insurance link or contact us. For your convenience Do you have any health problems or conditions? If yes, explain Do you have any food allergies? How did you find out about this trip? PASSION TERRE Inc. Tél : Fax : Sans frais : /8 Détenteur d un permis du Québec