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1 PG 06/22-2
Exploring
the South Pacific 2004
PG
06/22-2
Tuesday,
June 22 Depart for
Assemble
in your departure city for your international flight to
Wednesday,
June 23 En Route Day 2
Lose a
day as you cross the International Date Line en route to
prepare for your money exchange, which will occur upon
arrival at your destination. Have
$100.00 or multiples of $100.00 in either cash or signed travelers'
checks in your hand luggage.
You
will have a chance to exchange money, so be sure you know how much you want to
change.
Thursday,
June 24
and the
procession of sails on the harbor typifies the
relaxed outdoors lifestyle enjoyed by its largely
European and Polynesian population. On
your arrival in
Immigration;
and exit through the large doorway. Straight ahead is the friends/family/public
waiting area. DO NOT go straight ahead. As soon as you
exit the doorway, turn a sharp left and
standing at the group desk will be a People to People
representative to greet you and introduce
you to your coach driver, who is also your
delegation manager. You will have a chance to
exchange money, so be sure you know how much you want to
change. Then you are off to
MERC,
Marine Education and Recreation Centre for a variety of activities focusing on
team
building and environmental activities. This afternoon,
participate with
sports game or club experience. Continue with an
orientation to
Please have your swimsuit ready upon arrival for the
activities at MERC.
Friday,
June 25 Bay of Plenty,
This
morning, you will journey on the Southern Motorway through rolling farmland
through Waihi
towards the coast. Upon your arrival in Tauranga, you
will meet the "Action Stations" team.
Learn
about the flora and fauna during a guided walk, participate in flax weaving
that shows
how natural resources can be used without depleting
the source, and discover how ancient
traditions may be a part of the solution for preserving
the natural balance between man and the
environment.
This
evening spend the night in a Marae! A Marae is an authentic Maori meetinghouse
and the
focal point of the Maori culture. Upon your arrival,
the Maori People will formally welcome you in
a traditional ceremony. During the ceremony, a
Maori Warrior will challenge your delegation.
Who
among you will be brave enough and accept the challenge? Don’t forget to have a
song
ready, as you will be expected to respond! Dinner this
evening is in the style of a Hangi. The
traditional Hangi is prepared using steam or hot
rocks in a pit oven. The oven is then left to
steam until the meat is cooked. This evening, explore
more of Maori culture through songs,
stories, and
dances.
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Saturday,
June 26
Today,
continue on your journey to Rotorua. Rotorua is spa town built around the hot
mineral
springs, which feed its lake. Experience boiling mud,
geysers and silica deposits, which are
often seen in this region. As an integral part of the
People to People Student Ambassador
program, you will receive a civic welcome at the Rotorua
Council Chambers by a member of the
Rotorua City Council. This is an opportunity for
you to ask questions. Continue on to Mount
Ngongataha for a bird’s eye view of Rotorua aboard a gondola. Then
hang on tight during your
exciting luge ride to the bottom! Later, discover the
essence of Rotorua, at the
of Art & History located in the World Famous
Rotorua Bath house building. There you will
experience a life-like dramatization of Rotorua’s
remarkable geological, Maori and bicultural
history.
Sunday,
June 27
Visit Rainbow Springs for an introduction to
Waiotapu
Thermal Wonderland, a picturesque and mysterious area of thermal activity
featuring
a series of steaming crater lakes, between which
threads the pretty and intriguing hot mineral
stream of Waiotapu. Continue on to Taupo and get ready
for the thrill of your life on board a
Huka Jet Boat. Hold on as you skim along and feel the
water’s cool spray during your ride up
the
Monday,
June 28
Today
you will journey back to
Underwater World. See giant stingrays, moray
eels, seahorses, and come face to face with
sharks! This evening, a young Theatre Sports team
entertains you.
Tuesday,
June 29 Depart
For
Make
sure your bags are packed, and that you have everything you need for the flight
in your
hand luggage, it is time to board the coach for the
to
Otherwise,
after clearing customs and meeting your delegation manager, you will exchange
your money into Australian currency at the available
booths in the airport. For security and
convenience reasons $100.00 is the recommended
amount to exchange at the airport. There
will be further opportunities to exchange money
during the course of the program.
G’day
mate, welcome to
delegation manager and your coach driver will greet
you.
culture, an integral part of Australian history and
heritage. Some activities include musical and
dance performances as well as boomerang and spear
throwing demonstrations. Why not try
throwing a boomerang - will yours come back? Get to hear
a didgeridoo and prepare for your
close encounter with
wombats. This evening, “kick up your heels” to
Australian folk songs and learn how to bush
dance!
Don't forget to pack your day bag for tomorrow - you will need
sunscreen, hat, swimsuit
and towel. An underwater camera will capture those magic
moments on the Reef.
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Wednesday,
June 30
Cruise
to the magnificent
has to offer and the only living thing visible from
the Moon! The reef is rich in marine life,
including 1500 species of fish. Experience the ecosystem
and snorkel in the pristine
aquamarine water, be amazed by the diverse colors
and variety of the coral, and play with the
fish as they dart in and out of their watery
wonderland. There will also be semi-submersible boat
rides to view the thousands of varieties of colorful
fish and coral. It truly is a magical experience!
Thursday,
July 1
Experience
a bird’s eye view this morning on a scenic train to Kuranda, a mountainous
Australian
town surrounded by spectacular rainforest and tropical vegetation. Following
your
exploration of Kuranda, catch a flight to
Friday,
July 2
Wake
up! It is time for school! Today you have the opportunity to experience the
Australian
education system at a
classes, and best of all meet Australian students!
Don’t forget to bring your friendship cards.
Saturday,
July 3
Today,
See how the scenery changes on your way to your farm
stay from coast to outback!
Journey
west through the
about life on an Australian farming property.
Sunday,
July 4
Experience
Aussie hospitality, go horse riding, crack some whips, learn about the
different
breeds of sheep in
you can find the Southern Cross!
Monday,
July 5
Bid
farewell to your hosts. Then ‘go for the gold’ during an Olympic experience at
Stadium
While
there, go for a swim. Your explorations of
a group photograph where Lady Elizabeth Macquarie
(wife of a famous Governor) used to sit
and wait for news from home via the tall ships
entering the harbor. This promontory boasts
fabulous views of the Sydney Opera House and the
Opera
House, it is now time to go and have a look inside, with a guided orientation
of the
majestic Sydney Opera House complex.
May we suggest comfortable walking shoes for your time in
Tuesday,
July 6
Enjoy
your last day in OZ by seeing
your spectacular backdrop. Once you regain your land
legs, discover the historical Rocks area
and re .live
the convict era in period costumes. This afternoon learn about
gemstone - the opal during your visit to an opal
establishment where you will have a cutting and
polishing demonstration. Finally, have a rockin’ and
rollin’ good time at the Hard Rock Café,
amidst its
fascinating collection of music memorabilia.
Wednesday,
July 7 Depart for the
After
packing your suitcase for the last time, making sure you have everything you
need for the
flight in your hand luggage, it is time to board the
coach for the airport for your return flight to the
Be
prepared to declare! You will need to declare your farm stay on your
arrival card. This is an
important precautionary measure to prevent the spreading
of disease and pests.
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary may change at any time without prior notice.
Overnight
accommodation lists will be sent separately prior to travel.