An Invitation to Join a Pilgrimage to TAIWAN PLUS OKINAWA IL 8 Days 06 September 2018 Departure Date GRI Taipei Lukang Sun Moon Lake Kaohsiung Okinawa Fr. Dante Venus, S.V.D. Pilgrimage Chaplain AGE September 06-13, 2018
September 06-13, 2018 I T I N E R A R Y Taiwan plus Okinawa September 06-13, 2018 MANILA TAIPEI (Taiwan). Thursday, September 06 DAY 1 - Take the early morning flight to Taipei, the capital of the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan island. After immigration and customs formalities, meet your local guide and proceed to visit St. Josef Freinademetz Church in the Linkou District. Mass to be arranged for the group. Get a glimpse of Taipei with your afternoon sightseeing tour. Visit the famous Taipei 101 Building, the world s 2nd tallest building. The building is 508 meters tall and completed in 1999, contains a 5-storey shopping center. On to see the grandiose Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, both located in downtown Taipei. Then, check in at your hotel for accommodation followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel. (CI702 1035-1250H) (D) TAIPEI. Friday, September 07 DAY 2 - Meet your local guide at the hotel. Begin the day is a visit to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, site of the burial place of Cardinal Thomas Tien Kensin, the first Cardinal from the Society of the Divine Word. Mass to be arranged for the group. Continue with your sightseeing tour of Taipei. See the Lin An Tai Historical House; the Grand Hotel; visit of the Martyrs Shrine to see an excellent example of classical Ming Dynasty architecture dedicated to the fallen war heroes of the country; see the hourly changing of the guard ceremony; and the National Palace Museum. Weather permitting, drive through the Yangmingsham National Park for a scenic view of Mt. Qixing (Seven Star Mountain) and the city below. After dinner, visit the largest night market in Taiwan, Shilin Night Market where you will able to explore and see all sorts of bargains. Return to your hotel. (B,D) Top Photo: Taipei 101 Building Middle Photo: Immaculate Conception Cathedral Bottom Photo: National Palace Museum Taiwan plus Okinawa 2
I T I N E R A R Y September 06-13, 2018 TAIPEI - LUKANG - SUN MOON LAKE. Saturday, September 08 DAY 3 - Check out and travel down south to Lukang, the historical and cultural town. Lukang is the venue of a national folk arts festival that lasts for several days before and after the boat races themselves. At this time, the old town regains some of its former glory as huge crowds of visitors pack its narrow streets. Some of the well known sightseeing spots around Lukang are: Tienhou Temple, Old market Street, Half-side well, Nine-turns Lane/Shih Yih Hall, Lukang Folk Arts Museum, Remembrance Hall, Lungshan Temple, and Wenkai Academy Civil Shrine Martial Temple. Visit Our Lady of Peace Church where Mass will be arrange for the group. Continue to Sun Moon Lake for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B,D) SUN MOON LAKE. Sunday, September 09 DAY 4 - This morning, leave for Tannan Catholic Church to celebrate a Sunday private Mass. Continue with your sightseeing tour of the of the famous sights around Sun Moon Lake: Sun Moon Lake Ropeway; Formosan Cultural Village; Wen Wu Temple; Tehua Village; Ci-En Pagonda; Holy Monk Shrine; and a Boat Tour on the lake (Shueishe, Ita Thao and Xuanguang Temple piers). Dinner at the hotel. (B,D) Top Photo: Lukang Old Street Middle Photo: Sun Moon Lake Bottom Photo: Tannan Catholic Church 3 Taiwan plus Okinawa
September 06-13, 2018 I T I N E R A R Y SUN MOON LAKE - KAOHSIUNG OKINAWA(Japan). Monday, September 10 DAY 5 - This morning, check out and leave for Kaohsiung. Proceed to the Holy Rosary Cathedral, the oldest Catholic church in Taiwan and seat of the Archbishop of Taiwan. Mass to be arranged for the group. Then, transfer to Kaoshiung Airport for your flight to Okinawa. (CI132 1735-2020H) (B,D) OKINAWA. Tuesday, September 11 DAY 6 - Depart from your hotel. Begin the day with the celebration of the Holy Mass in a Catholic church. Then, drive to Kunigami District located in the the western side of Okinawa. See the scenic rock formation of Cape Manzamo which means a field for 10,000 people to sit. Drive through the two kilometer Ohashi Bridge connecting mainland Okinawa to Kouri-jima which means love island. What will catch your eyes are the spectacular emerald green ocean views that spread under the Ohashi bridge. This site has also been used for scenes on movies as it s considered to be the best beach spot in Okinawa. As the island is called love island, there s this legend similar to Adam and Eve on the island. The cave at Chinugu beach is believed to be where these two lovers grew their love. Adjacent to the beach is Kouri Ocean Tower where will be a perfect place for couples and families to observe the beautiful views making their unforgettable memory. Next is the Gala Blue Ocean located in the middle of Okinawa, in a scenic location. The theme park of ocean and salt where you can refresh your body and mind! Boil down the ocean water and produce your own natural salt! Easy making with charoal fire and stone bowl. Salt or Masu in another word for Okinawans is carried by them as a talisman for a custom. Make one for yourself and it will protect you for the travel! Top Photo: Holy Rosary Cathedral Middle Photo: Cape Manzamo Bottom Photo: Ohashi Bridge Taiwan plus Okinawa 4
I T I N E R A R Y September 06-13, 2018 Visit Ryukyu Mura (Ryukyu Village), a small theme park about traditional Okinawan culture in the form of a recreated village from the times of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The village includes a traditional residence with a red tiled roof and surrounding stone walls against typhoons, a shrine and various workshops where visitors may participate in handson experiences such as pottery, playing the sanshin guitar, weaving a coaster or painting a small shisa statue. Visitors also have the opportunity to eat some popular Okinawan dishes and purchase a wide range of local souvenirs. In the evening, enjoy a local style dinner and lively music show. Return to your hotel. (B,L,D) OKINAWA. Wednesday, September 12 DAY 7 - Depart for the Gyokusendo cave it stretches five kilometres from end to end, and boasts a host of spectacular rock formations. It s been around for 300,000 years or so, but it wasn t discovered by us humans until 1967. Visitors access the cave via a long flight of stairs, descending into a world that stays at a constant 21 C all year round. A steel walkway stretches 890 metres into the cave, twisting and turning around the many bends and ups and downs, and squeezing through some narrow gaps. The ceiling of the cave is covered with stalactites, and the floor with stalagmites there are hundreds of thousands in total, some of them huge. An underground river runs below the walkway, passing over sandbars and down waterfalls. Head for Cape Chinen Park, situated at Cape Chinen, the easternmost point of Nanjo City. This park offers spectacular views over Kudaka Island, one of the most sacred sites in Okinawa, and a star-filled night sky. It is also known as the best spot to watch the first sunrise of the year. Top Photo: Ryuku Mura Middle Photo: Gyokusendo Cave Bottom Photo: Cape Chinen Park In the city district of Naha, visit the Shuri Castle. It served as the administrative center and residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. 5 Taiwan plus Okinawa
September 06-13, 2018 I T I N E R A R Y The castle is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom sites. The current buildings are beautiful reconstructions dating from 1992. Experience Dyed Coral & Bingata at Shuri Ryusen. Shuri Ryusen focuses on the traditional Okinawan art of bingata. This colorful fabric from the Ryukyu Islands is first mentioned in the 15th century and was originally the privilege of Okinawan royalty and the island s warrior class. Visitors are offered a tour of the Bingata process in Gasshostyle (traditional style of Japanese architecture with a steep thatched roof). After, you may have two options of hands-on experiences. The first is the traditional bingata pattern, which must be carefully applied to cloth with tracing tools. The second option is the coral printing. Using large and small coral pieces, visitors wrap their chosen piece of cloth around the coral and apply various pigments. There are charts to show how to combine the pigments to make compound colors and shaded colors and the different sizes of coral offer different patterns. Only Ryusen can give you this experience. Spend the afternoon at Kokusaidori (literally means International Road ), Naha s main street, stretching for roughly two kilometers through downtown Naha. The street takes its name from the former Ernie Pyle International Theater, a movie theater that was built along the road after the war. Kokusaidori is lined by restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, souvenir shops, boutiques and department stores. (B,L,D) OKINAWA TAIPEI MANILA. Thursday, September 13 DAY 8 - After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Taipei. Upon arrival, take the connecting flight back to Manila to arrive in the afternoon. (B) Top Photo: Shuri Castle Middle Photo: Kudaka Island Bottom Photo: Kokusaidori Taiwan plus Okinawa 6
I T I N E R A R Y September 06-13, 2018 Tour Inclusions: Roundtrip economy airfare via China Airlines Roundtrip airport transfers First class hotel accommodations on twin-sharing Meals and tours as specified in the itinerary Services of a local English-speaking Tour Guide in Taiwan and Japan Transportation by deluxe air-conditioned motor coach Services of a Pilgrimage Chaplain and Filipino Tour Leader all throughout the tour Porterage of one (1) piece of luggage at hotels Tour Cost: Per Person on Twin Sharing Based on 30 pax US$ 2,995.00 Based on 20 pax US$ 3,280.00 Not Included: Airline Taxes US$ 80.00* Tip Fund US$ 80.00* Single Supplement US$ 925.00 Travel Insurance (8D Valid) 75 years old and below US$ 47.00 76-78 years old and below US$ 94.00 *Subject to change without prior notice. Top Photo: Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Bottom Photo: Lin An Tai Historical House Visa Requirements for Japan: Passport with six (6) months validity from date of departure Duly accomplished visa application form Three (3) pcs. passport-size pictures Certified true copy of birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) (Security paper with NSO logo at the back - not retyped). NOTE: In case of no record of birth at NSO, Birth Certificate by City Hall and Authenticated by NSO as well as Certificate of nonrecord of birth by NSO. Latest Income Tax Return Original Bank Certificate (both Pesos and/or US Dollars) Photocopy of Business Registration (if in business) Employment Certificate (if employed) Photocopy of International Credit Cards (if available) If married, copy of Marriage Contract Affidavit of Support and Consent (signed and notarized by sponsor if financially incapable) Processing time: Seven (7) working days Visa Fee: Php 2,000.00 7 Taiwan plus Okinawa
September 06-13, 2018 I T I N E R A R Y Booking Conditions: 1) US$ 500.00 deposit is required upon reservations together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure), Pilgrim s Profile, and visa fee for Japan. 2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than thirty (30) days before departure date. 3) The following cancellation charges will apply: > 45 days before departure date - US$ 500.00 > 30 days before departure date - 50% of the Tour Cost > 20 days prior to departure date - Full tour cost will be forfeited. Top Photo: Kaohsiung Conditions and Responsibilities: BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airline Taxes, visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation, drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, tips for drivers, guides, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary *** RATES AND SCHEDULE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! *** For reservations and more details, please contact: terms and conditions. THE PILGRIMS CENTER by EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its subagents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the pilgrimage and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or force majeure. All pilgrimage arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions. 758 P. Ocampo Street, Malate Metro Manila, Philippines Tel Nos.: +632 5238581-88; +632 5214156 Fax: +632 5260126 E-mail: pilgrimscenter@pilgrimage.ph Website: www.pilgrimage.ph