Thailand & Hong Kong Information Packet 2018

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2 Welcome! The Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce has a long history of introducing the rest of the world to Walla Walla. Now, the Chamber's travel program introduces Walla Wallans to the rest of the world. These learning trips are a chance for residents to travel together to exotic locations that they might not otherwise be able to visit, at an affordable price, and starting right here in Walla Walla. Just as the Chamber brings people and businesses together through Chamber events, a trip with the Chamber allows travelers to build great relationships with their Walla Walla neighbors. The trips are open to Chamber members and non-members, and these excursions through the Chamber are invaluable ways to promote our community worldwide. When traveling locally or abroad with the Chamber, you will receive a first class experience from start to finish. We handle all the arrangements, host a variety of informational meetings, introduce you to the other members of our travel group, and provide you with ample insight into your destination. With destinations as diverse as the travelers who join us, you're certain to find the perfect getaway to enjoy with your family, friends, and Walla Walla neighbors. The Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be working with international travel agent Citslinc International, to make your trip as smooth as possible. Sincerely, Brian Duvall President & CEO Tawnya Richards Office Manager Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 1

3 What You Need To Know Before You Go Passport & Visa Information In order to enter both Thailand and Hong Kong as a citizen of the United States you will need a valid passport. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of your trip. U.S. citizen tourists entering Thailand and Hong Kong for fewer than 30 days do not require a visa. Although Hong Kong is part of the People's Republic of China it remains a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own immigration controls. In addition to a valid passport, be prepared to show proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets) when leaving Thailand or Hong Kong. Consular Information The U.S. State Department provides Country Specific Information sheets for every country in the world, as well as Travel Alerts and Warnings. Find this information by calling (888) or (202) or online at travel.state.gov. Currency Thailand s unit of currency is the Baht, pronounced just like the English word "bought". Hong Kong s unity of currency is the Hong Kong Dollar. Exchange money only at authorized outlets such as currency exchange kiosks, banks and hotels. Only exchange what you feel you will need while visiting. Major credit cards are generally accepted at shops, hotels and restaurants. Debit cards can be used at hotels only. Health It is a good idea to read up on any health issues or concerns related to your destination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers current health information; it can be reached at (800) or online cdc.gov/travel. Shots/Vaccinations Check the vaccines and medicines list outlined by the CDC for the countries you are visiting and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. Recommended for ALL Travelers: make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before any trip, regardless of the destination. These vaccines include: Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine Polio vaccine Yearly flu shot Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 2

4 Recommended for MOST Travelers: because there is a risk of these diseases, the CDC recommends that most visitors to Thailand also get: Hepatitis A: you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Thailand, regardless of where you are eating or staying. Typhoid: you can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Thailand, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater. Recommended for SOME Travelers: Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US. Additional vaccines include: Cholera Japanese Encephalitis Malaria Weather Thailand has a tropical climate, warm and humid with temperatures in the mid-80 s. There are three seasons in Thailand: the cool season (November-February); the hot season (March-May); and the rainy season (June-October). The most popular tourist times are between November and March, when weather is mild and enjoyable. Use a website such as weather.com to find average temperatures and rainfall during your travel times. Electricity Thailand and Hong Kong supply electricity at 220 volts / 50 hertz. Voltage converters and adapter plugs may be purchased from your local cell phone store or a place like Wal-Mart. The Travel Outfitter by New Headings, at store or at most retail luggage stores. Packing for your trip (we have created a check list if you would like a copy) Plan on packing an assortment of comfortable, casual clothing in natural, breathable fabrics that can be layered in air-conditioning, if needed. Casual clothing is appropriate for big city or resort restaurants. Formal clothing is not necessary. We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes (Nike or something similar) as we will be covering many miles over the course of the trip. You ll also want to bring a pair of sandals for the beach. You ll need to take your shoes off when you go inside most buildings, including temples, so don t bring anything too complicated to take on and off. Additional Recommendations: Scarves: especially helpful if you want to enter a temple and need something to cover up with. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 3

5 Dresses/Skirts: are especially useful in Thailand. Choosing loose, cotton ones will allow you to keep cool. Go for looser, lighter fabrics when possible. Jeans: not the best option in Thailand not only are they not very breathable, they ll take a long time to dry in the humid weather. Shorts: A good pair of shorts is needed if you re going to be doing a lot of hiking in Thailand. T-Shirts & Tank Tops: are pretty vital items in your travel wardrobe for Thailand. Again, choose light, loose materials. Long-sleeve Tops and Blouses: for layering when it s not as warm. Sweater or Jacket: early mornings, late nights, ferries, and buses can be chilly Handbag or Daypack: choose one that s big enough to hold everything you ll need for the day. Bags with a long strap that can be looped over your body are advised. Unfortunately bag snatching and pickpocketing does occur in Thailand, so always be mindful of your belongings. Simple first-aid kit. Prescriptions and medications (We recommend you carry these in their original bottles and/or packaging.) Sunglasses, sunscreen sunhat Bug spray Charging cables for electronics (voltage converter and adapter plugs) Note: Dry cleaning service may be available at all hotels but they are expensive. Baggage Restrictions On Internal Air flights within the People s Republic of China, each passenger is limited to approximately 50 pounds of checked baggage in Economy Class, approximately 66 pounds in Business Class and approximately 88 pounds in First Class. For carry-on baggage: passengers are allowed one piece of baggage for Economy and Business Class, and two pieces for First Class. Each piece is limited to a maximum weight of approximately 10 pounds and dimensions of 7 inches x 15 inches x 21 inches. Reminder: there are times that we will be carrying our luggage so please pack accordingly. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 4

6 Luggage You are allowed to check in 2 pieces of luggage (max. 70lb total, but no single bag can weigh over 50lbs) per person plus carry-on (i.e. luggage and a purse/laptop/briefcase). You can take no more than 3.4 ounces total in your carry-on. REMINDER: You will have an opportunity to purchase a bag there to bring gifts back. Don t over pack as we will have times that we will have to carry our own luggage. Luggage restrictions on high-speed bullet trains (which is an optional tour) in China are 44 pounds of checked baggage per person. Total dimensions of any single piece of luggage are not to exceed 63 inches. What You Need to Know When You Arrive Time Zones Thailand follows UTC+7, which is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and Coordinated Universal Time. Note that Thailand does not observe daylight savings time, so adjust the above times accordingly. Language Thai, or more specifically, Siamese Thai, is the lone official language of Thailand, spoken by over eighty percent of the country s sixty million people. Please consult with your tour guide on translations, if needed. Protection & Precautions Use the safes where available in your accommodations to secure your valuables, especially passports, medications, jewelry, money and electronics. If you must carry valuables, keep them on your person at all times. Be mindful of your surroundings and take extra caution in crowds. Photocopy the personal information pages of your passport; leave one copy with a family member or friend and pack another separately from the passport itself. You may want to scan and a copy to yourself for easy, online access. This will help you to quickly secure a replacement should the need arise. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 5

7 Etiquette & Photography Unless you are shooting a crowded public scene, it is considered courteous to ask permission before taking pictures of local people, especially small children. Please be respectful of local people who do not care to be photographed. Photography is not permitted at some locations, which may include government buildings, museums, art galleries, private houses, etc. These areas are usually clearly marked. If in doubt, please ask; this will avoid having your camera confiscated. Be sure to pack ample amounts of batteries and memory cards or film for your camera and video equipment, along with the appropriate charging cables. A dustproof case or sealable plastic bags and lens brush are also recommended. Food & Drink Do not use tap water for drinking or brushing your teeth. Even purified water in open containers should be avoided. It is always preferable and safer to use only bottled water. Regardless of precautions, changes in water and diet can result in mild abdominal upsets and nausea. To prevent serious illness, avoid suspect foods such as uncooked vegetables, peeled fruit, unpasteurized milk and milk products. Beware of any food or drink sold by street vendors. Vegetarian/Vegan Citslinc is diligent to pass on names to airlines, tour guides and restaurants. They take care of it all from there. Please let us know if you need these accommodations. Shopping Many guests enjoy the chance to purchase items that reflect their destination, and so as a courtesy, your guide may recommend a particular shop or arrange a shopping visit. Please note, however, that these recommendations should not be taken as the tour Companies or tour guide s endorsement of the shop, merchandise and/or pricing. You assume all responsibility for any transactions that take place, including shipping arrangements that are made. The decision to shop while travelling is a personal choice and shopping is never compulsory. If at any point during your journey you feel pressured to shop or make purchases, please immediately discuss the matter with your tour guide. Asia, most stores offer fixed prices; in the free markets, bargaining is accepted and expected. To avoid disappointment, we suggest the following guidelines: Compute the exchange rate and thoroughly review credit card receipts before signing. Take your purchases home with you whenever possible. Airfreight can take many months and actual shipping charges can be excessive. Customs delays, fees Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 6

8 and regulations can further complicate the issue. If you choose to ship purchases, we suggest taking a picture of the item(s) and/or marking them in some way to ensure you receive what was purchased. For example, you could write your name on the backside of a rug. Determine if your shipment will be delivered door-to-door or to the nearest customs facility, as is often the case. Most goods shipped from other countries to the United States are subject to Customs duty. Duty taxes, if applicable, are paid as you re-enter the United States. Regardless of assurances by merchants, these cannot be prepaid on your behalf. Currently, each person is entitled to an $800 duty-free exemption, however, may only bring one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. Keep all sales receipts for items purchased throughout your trip and try to pack all items that you will need to declare together. This will ease the Customs process upon re-entry into the U.S. T-Shirts/Clothing: If you buy any kind of clothing, be sure to try it on or buy at least 1 size larger than needed. Consult the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more details. Communications Contact your cellular telephone provider to determine if your phone operates on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and what, if any, activation may be required. If your phone is not GSM-enabled, you may find that renting a phone specifically designed for use overseas is the most practical option. In Asia, reception on any cell phone can be unreliable and unpredictable, and in some locations it is not possible at all. Tipping Guidelines There is a first time gratuities fee per person for the entire trip of $60 per passenger. At the end of the trip your tour guide will tell you that they are collecting everyone s tip. This amount has to be exactly $60 per person. They will not accept any more. So it is suggested to just set this amount aside and have it ready at the end of the trip. Buddy System Remember the ever important BUDDY SYSTEM! Never go anywhere alone or go with a Flea Market sales person to an unknown place, building, alley, etc. While China has proven to be quite safe, always better safe than sorry. Take your buddy wherever you go. If you don't have a regular buddy, seatmate, roommate or friend, find the chamber representative and they will go with you. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 7

9 Questions & Answers Deposit/payment/Registration Your non-refundable deposit of $300 must be received by November 30, Balance is due by December The Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce will accept payment by personal check, cash or credit card. REMEMBER: You can SAVE $100 when paying by check for your trip. Final Itinerary You will be provided with a final itinerary with names, addresses, and phone numbers of the hotels, flight information, etc., approx. 1 month before trip departure. This may vary slightly from previously published schedules. Be sure to leave a copy with someone at home and always carry a copy with you on the trip. Departure & Free Shuttle Bus Service Specific flight/gate/time information will be available prior to the departure date. You have to check in for your international flight no later than 3 1/2 hours before the scheduled flight. The Plane/Flight/Seats Normally airlines do not pre-assign seats for group travelers (due to the less expensive group travel rate). Citslinc does not contract with airlines on this service either. However, if you would like to choose a seat you can always try your luck by calling the airline after you obtain your e-ticket for a pre-assignment. As long as the airline does not find out you are traveling in a group, they will probably pre-assign the seat(s) for you. The phone number for Cathay Pacific is If you choose not to preassign, you will have to wait until you physically check-in at the airline desk on departure day. Before you call the airline (or go online), you will need your e-ticket, departure date, flight number, departure city, destination, PNR (confirmation number, printed on ticket, sometime just 1 PNR for a group of passengers) and ticket number (printed on ticket, 1 ticket number for each passenger). The Citslinc will ALL e-tickets to the Chamber and the Chamber will your e-ticket to you. TSA Pre-Check You can do a TSA pre-check if you do not want to wait in the airport lines. This is an $85.00 fee. You will need to call Pasco airport to set up this interview process. You will want to bring your Passport and Drivers license. This is OPTIONAL. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 8

10 Frequent Flyer Miles Airlines normally do not count mileage to group travelers. But you can still try your luck when you check in. You cannot use your mileage points to upgrade on this trip, since it is already discounted. If you have an Alaska Airlines Mileage Number, give that to the check-in personnel to receive mileage as a partner to Hainan Airlines. If you do not have an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Number, you can obtain one online, or you have the option to obtain miles through Hainan Airlines, but you must sign up with Hainan's Mileage Program. Arrival Upon your arrival at Beijing Airport, after going through immigration and customs, you will see your tour guide holding a sign with your bus number. The tour guide will lead you to your pre-assigned bus. Tip: Don t sleep too much on the plane if your arrival is scheduled in the afternoon or in the evening. You want to be tired when you arrive so you will get a good night s sleep and reduce the effects of jet lag. Please wear your name badge provided by Citslinc. Hotels Hotels are 4 and 5 star. All of the hotels have Western facilities and include hair dryers and internet service. If you bring electrical appliances or gadgets that will need charging, it is recommended that you bring electrical adapters. Although the hotels have them, you don t want to take a chance that they won t have enough for everyone. Unless otherwise notified, all rooms will be booked as non-smoking. They do have internet service in the Shanghai hotel but not in the Beijing hotel. You will need to ask for the password at check-in. Each room has a safe for you to lock up any valuables however it is suggested to leave valuables at home. It is also suggested to lock up medication while away from your room. Laundry Facilities/Microwaves There are not laundry facilities but there is dry cleaning, however these can be very expensive. There are microwaves in your rooms. Changing Hotels The night before we leave each hotel you may be asked to leave your luggage outside the door and a porter will pick up your bags and make sure they are loaded and ready to leave before the passengers arrive. Other days you may need to carry them to the bus. Meals Breakfast will be a Western and Eastern buffet at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are family style at local restaurants. Soft drinks and beer are served. After two drinks you will have to pay for them. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 9

11 Water It is not recommended that you drink any tap water unless you boil it. Bottled water is available at the hotel or can be purchased on the bus or from local vendors. Daily Schedule We will wake up at 6:00 am, eat breakfast at 7:00 am and leave the hotel at 8:00 am for the day s tours and return after 8:00 pm. If you wish to leave the group (or not join the group for the day), let your bus tour guide know. Bus Travel You will be assigned the same bus for the entire trip. Each bus with 50 seats will usually take passengers. Your seat on the bus will be yours for the day. You can leave personal items on the bus for the day but take valuables with you. The Chamber representative will be changing busses each day to spend time with you all. Optional Tours Included in your packet are optional tours that are available for an additional charge. The tour guides will describe them to you and if interested, you will pay the guides in cash (USD/CAD). You are not required to attend them. You may stay in your hotel, go shopping or just relax. These tours are CASH ONLY. They range from $39-$80 each. Shopping Citslinc is providing a unique cultural experience. You may encounter proprietors encouraging you to buy their product. You can say NO but always negotiate if you would like to buy something. We will be visiting some factory stores, but don t feel obligated to buy. If you purchase from a street vendor be prepared to barter; do not pay the initial asking price. Prices are always about 3-5 times higher. Always offer less, if they say NO walk away and 99% of the time they will come after you to drop the price to your desired amount. Many stores are able to ship purchases home for you. There are certain FACTORIES where you CAN NOT negotiate the price. Passport You are responsible for obtaining your own passport. Travel Insurance Citslinc buys Post Departure Travel Insurance policy for each passenger, but it does not cover for travel cancellation. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 10

12 Money/Currency Most stores will accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Discover Card is not generally accepted. You can exchange USD/CAD and traveler's checks at the hotel, banks, and airport; although US dollars are welcome almost everywhere. If you take cash, take small denominations, nothing larger than $20 bills. Street vendors do not like to give change. ATMs are available at hotel lobby for use of debit cards but if you go anywhere else you will be charged fees up to $ Tip: Contact your credit card company to notify them you will be using your charge card in China. For cash, you need smaller denominations to deal with street vendors. If you get cash advanced off of credit cards you need to know your pin number. Few places will not take credit cards or US cash so carry some Yen with you. You can exchange this at the Chinese airport before our flight home for a $0 fee. Use your credit cards as much as possible and save your cash for events that only allow cash. Single Travelers If you are traveling alone and do not wish to pay the additional private single room fee (single room supplement), we will match up same gender single travelers. We will set up a meet and greet time for any singles to meet so you can pick your roommate, exchange contact information and spend time to get to know each other before the trip. Cell phones Your cell phone will work in Thailand, but you must activate the international service from your provider. Public Restrooms (Thai vs American Toilets) There can be BIG variations in the standard of publicly accessible toilet facilities in Thailand and Hong Kong. Most hotels and major tourist facilities have clean western-style toilets. Walk up to the concierge of almost any hotel if you are a westerner and reasonably presented and ask where to find a toilet and they ll point you in the right direction. Major western fast food chains like McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Burger King almost always have good, clean toilets available. If a shop keeper has one, they may let you use it. But make sure you re carrying a small pack of tissues in your pocket or your bag because it s unlikely there ll be any toilet paper available. Keep some hand sanitizer in your bag or pocket too, as there probably won t be clean water to wash with or soap. If you re carrying your phone or wallet, make sure you don t drop it down the hole! Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 11

13 Electronic Tickets for Flight Check-In ALL Electronic tickets will be in the Chamber s possession until you either receive it on your chartered bus to Vancouver, British Columbia OR when you meet up with the group at check-in. You are responsible for bringing your Passport and name tag/badge for check-in (Alaska Airline mileage card if you want to use it). Although we will be there as a group, everyone checks him or herself in individually at which time, you will get your seat assignment. If you wish to sit with someone, be sure to check-in together and ask to sit next to each other. Meeting us in Vancouver? Some people may be traveling with us from other parts of the US, so if you choose to meet us at the Vancouver International Airport, you will need to meet us at the airline ticket counter with your e-ticket provided by your the Chamber representative. *If you are meeting us at the airport on your own and happen to be late for check-in, please call Marissa s cell ( ) or we will be waiting for you to arrive at the designated time. Additional Travel If you want to leave the group during the tour, please notify your bus tour guide. If you want to do additional traveling after the tour, check with your own travel agent. It is possible, but you will be responsible for all additional costs and arrangements. Translations We suggest using your Google Play store and downloading a translator to your cell phones. This is very helpful. Suggested Websites: Weather: What you can and cannot bring on the airplane (US Transportation Security Administration): International Travel (US State Department): Questions about bringing items back from your trip (US Customs & Border Protection): Final Advice Be flexible and adventurous Not all tours are set in stone. And remember, you are in a foreign country. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 12

14 Itinerary March 12-20, 2018 Please Note: Sunday, March 11: The first leg of your adventure begins with a luxury bus ride from Walla Walla to Vancouver, British Columbia. Check-in to hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Flight for Hong Kong departs the following day. Day 1: Vancouver/Hong Kong Check-in at Vancouver International Airport for an afternoon flight to Hong Kong. Day 2: Hong Kong/Bangkok Arrive in Hong Kong and take a connecting flight to Bangkok. You will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Day 3: Bangkok/Pattaya Morning excursion to the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha Temple, and the Arts of the Kingdom exhibition at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Visit the Gems Gallery Bangkok after lunch and the bus to Pattaya for a BBQ seafood buffet. Day 4: Pattaya enjoy leisure time on the beaches of Coral Island. After lunch, visit Nong Nooch, world-renowned for its impressive elephants, Thai Cultural shows and the largest botanical garden in Southeast Asia. At Nong Nooch, you ll take an elephant ride, then visit the Pattaya Four Regions Floating Market to learn about the Thai way of life. Day 5: Pattaya/Bangkok Morning excursion to the World Gems Pattaya and a local market en route to Bangkok. Afternoon visit to Four Face Buddha Bangkok, followed by a seafood dinner. Day 6: Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Bangkok Spend the day at Ayutthaya, a ruined city built in 1350 AD that was once the capital of Siam. Tour the Summer Palace Pang Pa Inn. Dinner on your own or embark on an optional dinner cruise. Day 7: Bangkok/Hang Kong Fly to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, cross the Tsing Ma bridge, enjoy the Avenue of Art and take in the incredible views of the city and Victoria Harbor from The Peak. Take a ride on the Peak Tram, started in 1888 as the first mode of transportation in Hong Kong. Day 8: Hong Kong Visit the popular Ngong Ping 360 to ride the cable care and explore the themed village. Stop at Repulse Bay Beach and linger in the fishing village of Stanley. Afternoon will be free time. Hong Kong Roasted Goose Dinner. Day 9: Hong Kong/Vancouver/Walla Walla Return flight will depart for Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, your private luxury bus will be waiting to whisk you back to Walla Walla. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 13

15 Trip Add-ons Tiffany s Show Pattayais Fare $39 USD: Transvestite Cabaret Show in Pattaya, Thailand; and is now in its 38th year. Originating as a one-man show performed for friends on New Year' Eve in 1974, Tiffany's Show Pattaya is a household word in Thailand and Asia as well as around the world. From its inception, Tiffany's Show Pattaya has grown into a World Class spectacular show visited by audiences from all corners of the world. Tiffany's Show Pattaya was voted number 4 in the TOP TEN BEST SHOWS to see around the world. The incredible talents of the transvestite & transgender community, all drawn from the provinces of Thailand, are showcased in a show full of exotic spectacular scenes with the latest technical lighting and sound. Menam River CruiseFare $80 USD: Take a night tour on Chaophraya Cruise. Along the Menam River, let s go sightseeing and enjoying your delicious dinner after the sun comes down. Hong Kong Ocean Park $80 USD: One of the 10 most popular theme parks according to Forbes. You can see dolphin and sea lion shows and the spectacular chairlift. You can also see different marine life in this Aquarium. Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce I I info@wwvchamber.com I wwvchamber.com Page 14

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