Day 1:
Your hosts Max Anderson and Shaun Green will meet you at the Adelaide Domestic Airport. We will check in as a group and connect through to Melbourne to board the 8½ hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
We land at Ho Chi Minh airport in the late afternoon, to be met by local representatives before being transferred to the Majestic Saigon hotel for check-in. Time to freshen up and relax.
20:00 Welcome Dinner at the Breeze Sky Bar on the roof of the Majestic Hotel overlooking the Saigon River.
Overnight stay at Majestic Saigon hotel
Day 2:
Hotel breakfast served from 6am
08:30-10:00: Morning workshop
10:15: We have a full day exploring Saigon, beginning with a guided tour of District 1. This includes elegant Dong Khoi Street (lined with fashionable boutiques, cafes and theaters), Lam Son Square (formerly Place Garnier, the scene of General The’s terrorist bombing in Graham Greene’s Quiet American) and the ‘gingerbread’ Town Hall, now the People’s Committee building. We stop for lunch at Temple Club restaurant (provided) then continue the tour with a drive to Cho Lon, the Chinatown district for cultural sights and Binh Tay market.
Tour inclusions: All transfers (car or minivan, cyclo, classic Vespa motorbike), tour guide, entrance fees, bottled drinking water during the tour and lunch at Temple Club (food only).
18:00-19:00: Evening workshop held in a local bar decided upon by the group.
Dinner at your leisure and expense.
Overnight stay at Majestic Saigon hotel
Day 3:
05:30–07:30: It’s time to say Good Morning Saigon with this early morning tour. Warm up with a short bike ride to Tao Dan cultural park and join locals in practising their Tai Chi exercises.
Return to hotel to freshen up and enjoy a well-earned breakfast.
09:00-10:30: Morning workshop
10.30-17:00 You are encouraged to explore the city to pursue personal interest angles, which have been the focus of previous workshops. There are some day-tour options (including a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels made famous during the Vietnam War) which can be arranged with the assistance of Shaun Green. Alternatively, you can trust to your instincts and map-skills and strike out for the destination of your choosing.
18:00-19:00: Evening workshop held in a local bar decided upon by the group.
19:30–23:00: We join a Saigon By Night tour, commencing with a ride to the city’s highest point, the Saigon Trade building. After enjoying the view, we’re off to Ben Thanh night market and the Wrap ‘N’ Roll restaurant where dinner is provided. Finally we’re sampling Saigon’s eclectic music scene, including the local folk music at Dong Dao Music Saloon, Beatlemania at the Yoko Bar and a live jazz band at the Saxn’ Art Club.
Tour inclusions: All transfers (car or minivan, cyclo, bicycle), local tour guide, dinner (food only) at Wrap N’ Roll Restaurant, entrance fees, bottled drinking water during the tour.
Overnight stay at Majestic Saigon hotel
Day 4:
Hotel breakfast served from 6am
08:00: Join bus to Cai Be floating market in the Mekong Delta (full day)
En route to Vinh Long and Cai Be, we turn the workshop routine on its head somewhat, holding the ‘evening session’ on the bus so participants can engage in some one-on-one tutoring.
10:00: After arriving at Cai Be we board the Cai Be Princess boat. The tour starts with a visit to the colourful floating market, cruising among local sampans selling fruit and vegetables from the provinces of the Delta. The cruise reveals beautiful river landscapes as well as typical Mekong rural life; at an ancient Mandarin house, a family will welcome us with a cup a tea. Lunch is provided at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river. The excursion ends at approx. 3.30pm, when our vehicle will collect us for transfer back to the hotel.
Tour inclusions: All transfers (car or minivan), local tour guide, Princess boat fee, entrance fees, lunch (food only).
18:30-19:30: Writing workshop at the hotel.
Dinner at your leisure and expense.
Overnight stay at Majestic Saigon hotel
Day 5:
Hotel breakfast served from 6am
08:30-10:00: Morning workshop
10:30: Please gather at the foyer fully packed and ready to check out of the hotel.
11:00: We embark on a four-hour drive to Phan Thiet, enjoying sights of the Vietnamese countryside and beaches on the way. After arriving in the late afternoon, we check into the Bamboo Village Resort & Spa. You now have time to relax on the beach.
18:00-19:00: Evening workshop at the Bamboo Village Resort.
Dinner at your leisure and expense.
Overnight stay at Bamboo Village Resort.
Day 6:
Resort breakfast served from 6am
Workshop? Relax – you’re on holiday!
09:00 Excursion to White Sand Dunes by Jeep (5 hours)
You’ll visit the White Sand Dunes, Red Canyon and Fairy Springs, passing by Mui Ne Beach. The first stop will be at the fishing village, where you will visit the local fish market, followed by the famous dunes of Mui Ne where you can enjoy sliding down steep slopes of sand; at the Red Canyon we will take a walk inside this intriguing wind-sculpted sand canyon.
Tour inclusions: All transfers (Jeep), local tour guide, bottled drinking water during the tour
The afternoon is at your leisure. But be sure to be ready for….
19:00 Farewell dinner
Overnight stay at Bamboo Village Resort.
Day 7:
Free at leisure until transferring back to Ho Chi Minh airport for departure flight.
Booking terms & conditions:
A deposit of $250 per person is required within 5 days of confirmation of your booking. The balance is due no later than 28 August 2009. If a booking is made after this date, the full tour price is due at the time of confirmation. Prices are subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received and tickets have been issued.
Baggage
The free baggage allowance on flights is 20kgs per person for economy passengers and 30kgs per person for business class passengers. Hand luggage is restricted to 1 piece per person weighing less than 7kg, Whilst on tour one main bag and 1 piece of hand luggage per person is allowed. Airlines may charge you for baggage in excess of these allowances, which will be at passenger’s expense.
Insurance
Insurance is compulsory for cover against loss of deposit and loss of airfares, personal accident, medical cover etc. If you have an ongoing medical condition you may be required to complete a pre-existing medical form. If you are over 60 years of age, you are required to complete a seniors medical form. Your consultant will provide all details.
Medical Advice
It is wise to seek medical advice before travelling as you may require vaccinations for this tour. We recommend seeking advice from a travel specialist such as Globe Medical, 21 Hindmarsh Sq Adelaide on (08) 8232 7372, or from your GP.
Passport & Visas
It is necessary for all passengers to be in possession of a valid passport which has at least 6 months validity beyond your return into Australia.
Price Alterations
Tour prices specified are based on airfares, taxes and land arrangement tariffs applicable at the time of printing, therefore they may be subject to alteration with or without prior notice until final payment date, as per brochure (final payment date 26th December 2009).
Minimum Numbers
The prices quoted for this tour are subject to a minimum of 10 paying passengers travelling together (maximum 14 passengers). Golf Explorer Pty Ltd reserve the right to increase the tour price or cancel the tour should the numbers travelling not meet the required minimum. In the event of the tour not going ahead all clients will receive a full refund.
Amendments/changes
A fee of $50 per amendment will be charged for any reservation changes after your booking is confirmed, unless the change increases the value of your booking. This fee is in addition to any charges from airlines, land operators or cruise lines. Bookings are non-transferable.
Cancellations
Cancellations of firm bookings will be subject to $250 per person service fee plus any charges imposed by principals involved in operating the tour. Therefore, the cancellation fee may be up to the total cost for land and/or airfares. Cancelled bookings are non-transferable.
Refunds/Credits
No refund is available in respect of any sightseeing tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised or required during this tour. No refund is available for cancellations after the tour has commenced.
Responsibility
Golf Explorer Pty Ltd. reserves the right to alter or omit any part of the itinerary or change of reservation, features and/or means of conveyance without any notice and for any reason whatsoever. Golf Explorer Pty Ltd. does not accept liability for failure on the part of transportation companies, hotel contractors and other principals whose responsibility is confined to their own operations. Golf Explorer Pty Ltd. reserves the right to alter hotels used should the necessity arise. The transportation companies or firms shall be exempt from all liabilities in respect of any detention, delay, loss, damage, sickness or injury and by whom so ever caused and whatever kind occurring of or to the passenger at any time when the passenger is not on board a conveyance used or operated by the transportation companies or firms. We reserve the right to take any reasonable action should your health, actions or behaviour impinge on the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other passengers. Golf Explorer Pty Ltd. reserve the right to cancel or withdraw any person as a member of the tour at any time. All ticket coupons and orders are furnished and issued subject in all respects to those terms and conditions under which the means of transportation or other services provided thereby are offered or supplied by the owners, operators, public carriers, management agents or agents.
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