EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Gain an overall understanding of Saigon through landmark architecture that reflects the changing face of the metropolis known as Ho Chi Minh City since 1976. In the lively district of Cholon, you will browse the bustling Binh Tay Market and a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. For a more contemporary perspective, you will view Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a modernistic white building that was home to the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon presents a glimpse into colonial life, as the French constructed it in the mid-1800s. The ornate Central Post Office is another French-built colonial gem. If not for the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh inside, you might think you were in Paris. Saigon is also known for its artisans, especially those that make lacquerware, a traditional skill that you will observe in a workshop.

Behold the architecture in two isolated villages that UNESCO found so unusual that it deemed them World Heritage sites. The villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama are in the remote Shogawa River Valley surrounded by high rugged mountains, a location that made them difficult to access for centuries.

To cope with the abundance of snow that falls there, the residents constructed farmhouses with steeply pitched thatched roofs to reduce the amount of snow that accumulates on them. The roof design also allows for large attics, in which the residents rear silkworms, which they feed leaves from the surrounding mulberry trees. Only one other nearby village boasts this type of architecture, known as gassho-zukuri, a style that means “constructed like hands in prayer.”

Following free time in both villages, you will watch a demonstration of paper-making in Gokayama. The specialized washi paper is exceptionally colorful and patterned. The fiber for it comes from mulberry trees.

View the landmarks of Hiroshima, some commemorating the atomic bomb blast here in 1945 and others reflecting the city’s celebration of peace. At the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will behold the ruins of some of the few concrete buildings left after the atomic bomb was dropped. One of them, the Atomic Bomb Dome, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a symbol of Hiroshima. You will also browse the Peace Memorial Museum whose exhibits show Hiroshima before and after the bombing and personal artifacts from the victims that humanize the devastating event. The museum encourages visitors to make a vow for universal peace. While the mood there is somber, serenity is the overarching theme at Shukkei-en Garden. Besides being a wonderful respite from the hubbub of the city, the garden is a visual delight, as plants are always in bloom. Although the atomic bomb destroyed the garden, it has been fully restored.

Delve into the history of the surrounding Aichi Prefecture by browsing an open-air museum and a 16th-century castle that is remarkably intact. Dozens of buildings from the Meiji Period have been carefully reconstructed at the Meijimura museum, and you will easily recognize the Western influence in the architecture. This short period in Japanese history ended in 1912 and marked the end of samurai rule and the beginning of Japan’s modernization.

The nearby Inuyama Castle is even more impressive architecturally as it is one of the few castles in Japan that survived wars and natural disasters without being severely damaged. As you meander through this official national treasure, you will see artifacts relating to the Naruse family that once owned the castle. The armory of samurai weapons and the hidden doors for the guards are of particular note, as they shed light on the fact that the castle was under constant threat of attack.

An eye-opening study in contrasts, this tour presents the extravagant world of Brunei's sultan, followed by a look at life in a village built on stilts in the river. Starting off from the pier, you will first travel inland toward the majestic Jame Mosque, Brunei's largest, and the Prime Minister Office where you will pause briefly for photos. Continuing on, you will arrive at the white-domed Royal Regalia where you can wander through exhibits of luxurious items from the Sultan's lavish coronation and other celebrations. Some of the items you may have the opportunity to see here are His Majesty's royal chariot, ceremonial swords, a model of the palace and various gifts from foreign dignitaries. But as you will soon see, there's more to Brunei than the extravagances afforded by its abundant oil and natural gas. Making your way to a nearby jetty, you will board a boat and cruise to Water Village where you will witness firsthand a much different side of life. More than 30,000 people live here in thousands of structures built on stilts in the Brunei River. The village is an amazing assortment of homes, restaurants, mosques, shops and hospitals, all connected by wooden boardwalks. Surprisingly, some of the homes are quite elaborate, and you will have the unique opportunity of stopping by one for a cup of tea. Amazingly, people have lived in the Water Village for more than 1,300 years, making it one of the most historic areas in Brunei. Following your time at the Water Village, you will retrace your route as you make your way back to the pier.

Discover two traditional and ancient sights that coexist in stark contrast with tall futuristic skyscrapers and bustling city streets. Depart the pier for the drive to the Meiji Shrine, surrounded by a dense forest glade at the very heart of Tokyo. The Meiji Shrine and its large park are dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who saw the transformation of this country from a medieval to a modern state. It was during his reign (1868 - 1912) that Edo became Japan's new capital and was renamed Tokyo. Enter the Shrine through the 40-foot-high Torii gate, one of the largest in Japan. After visiting the shrine, continue to Hama Rikyu Garden, an Edo Period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district's futuristic skyscrapers; a great example of how Japan is the land of contrasts. The garden was originally built as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo Period, but later served as a strolling garden and as an imperial detached palace before eventually being opened to the public in its current form. Hama Rikyu Gardens offer something beautiful at any season, as you'll find golden foliage during the fall, plum blossoms in late winter and cherry blossoms in spring. After enjoying Japanese traditional sites in Tokyo, your coach will bring you back to the port.

Visit two of Beppu’s many hot springs known as jigokus and a forested park that countless wild monkeys inhabit. With more than 2,500 thermal springs in and around Beppu, thick clouds of steam can always be seen rising from the ground. At the Umi Jigoku, the so called Sea Hell, you will notice that the cobalt-blue water is near boiling and so hot that visitors only observe the thermal phenomenon. However, at the Chinoike Jigoku or Blood Pond Hell, you might take a foot bath in the iron oxide-rich water that gives the pool its reddish color. The hot springs throughout Beppu are said to have restorative powers, and visitors come from all over to soak in them. The Takasakiyama Monkey Park is also wildly popular, as it offers a rare close-up look at macaques freely roaming the forested mountain slopes. You too will be free to wander about while observing these Old World monkeys.

Explore the heritage aspect of Surabaya visiting the Dutch colonial style building compound and visit the iconic heroes’ monument of Surabaya City. Delve into the cultural heritage of Surabaya by visiting Kampong Lawas Maspati, commemorative war monument and a 5-star hotel that reflects more than a century of local history. A panoramic drive through the city takes you to the Majapahit Hotel, a more than 100-year-old lodging that the Japanese used as their headquarters in East Java during World War II. This classic landmark blends romance and elegance with its graceful colonial architecture. While touring, you will see how the hotel has evolved into a 5-star resort. During the visit have some local coffee and enjoy the local snacks. Continuing on, you will next visit the Heroes Monument, a towering obelisk that commemorates the Indonesian soldiers and civilians that died in the Battle of Surabaya in 1945. The conflict eventually led to Indonesian independence in 1949. Our last stop will be visiting Kampoeng Lawas Maspati, it is now a village being made as community base tourism where historical building is still maintained such as the Residence of Raden Sumomiharjo (the relatives of Sultanate Palace of Solo) and Sekolah Ongko Loro the historical people school since 1917. We will learn how in a crowded kampong with nearly no soil left, the villagers can create the green zone, also have some cultural activities specially presented by the local community and mostly elderlies.

Explore a vast underground network of tunnels that hid and protected thousands of Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War. The section that you will tour lies beneath the Cu Chi district in the countryside north of Ho Chi Minh City. Communist forces began digging the tunnels in the late 1948, when they were fighting the French for independence. As you will discover, the tunnels span thousands of miles and once hid an underground city of sorts with living quarters, smokeless kitchens, hospitals and schools. The tunnels were typically five feet high and not even three feet wide, with air passages to the surface camouflaged to look like natural holes from tree roots or animals. The tunnels that you will traverse have been expanded somewhat for safety and convenience. Digging the tunnels was an incredibly arduous and time-consuming endeavor, as they were often dug by hand. Before abandoning them, the Viet Cong left booby traps for the invading troops.

Gain a cultural and historical understanding of Nagoya by visiting attractions that reveal how the area has changed over the centuries. Nagoya Castle Honmaru Palace lends insight into 17th-century Japan. Although destroyed by fire during World War II, the castle has been faithfully reconstructed using the original methods of construction. The golden sea creatures on the castle’s roof have become a symbol of Nagoya.

For a look into more modern Japan, you will visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, an attraction that celebrates industrial innovations. You can expect to see exhibits on textiles, automotive breakthroughs and steam engine technology. Atsuta Shrine will present a glimpse into the Shinto religion. It is known most famously for the legendary sword that is enshrined there. The weapon is so sacred that it is never displayed, however, thousands of other artifacts are exhibited, including holy garments, utensils for deities and ancient documents.

Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia, located on the northern tip of Borneo Island and one of Southeast Asia's greatest surprises.

This half-day tour will introduce you to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's modern state capital with its alluring blend of Malay and Chinese culture. Largely destroyed during World War II, Kota Kinabalu has since developed into one of Malaysia's most exciting cities. Go past the serene City Mosque, followed by a photo stop at the Tun Mustapha Building. A 30-storey circular glass edifice supported by high tensile steel rods, this amazing structure is an architectural and engineering feat, one of only four such buildings in the world.

Continuing on, you will stop at the Sabah State Museum to see the extensive exhibits of Sabah's diverse culture, beliefs and traditions at the Heritage Village. Situated within the Ethno Botanical Gardens, you’ll find replicas of traditional long houses representing the different ethnic communities of Sabah. Enter the houses and discover the way of life of the different groups. Take a walk on the hanging bridge across the lotus pond and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful scenery.

From here, it's on to the magnificent Masjid Negeri Sabah or State Mosque, with its golden inlay motifs and impressive minaret. After a photo stop here, you will then make your way to your final stop, a brief visit to a local handicraft market where you can mingle with the locals and perhaps pick up a few souvenirs to take home.

Visit a memorial park that recounts the devastation from the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 and then enjoy the wonders on beautiful Miyajima Island. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built after World War II as a memorial to the tens of thousands of people who died in the atomic bomb blast. While here, you will see the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few structures left after the blast, and the Peace Memorial Museum, a repository for enlightening artifacts from the bomb blast. Following lunch, you will enjoy an entirely different perspective of the area at Miyajima Island, which you will reach by ferry. Revered for its breathtaking beauty since ancient times, the island is home to the glorious Itukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site renowned for its “floating” red torii gate. You will have time to wander through the main hall and the adjoining shrines, which can be reached through bright-red passageways.