Facebook Event and Photo Album

Facebook Event for this trip, lets use to keep in touch: https://www.facebook.com/events/435349936584288/

Pictures of the trip, feel free to post in there:
https://www.facebook.com/events/435349936584288/

Day 9, 19th of March - Hard Rock and Departure to San Francisco

Today was the end of our adventure, the end of a trip that will not soon be forgotten. A week when exchange students from 18 different countries had the best time ever.
The day started with free breakfast and free time followed by check out and lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe where we had our moment to say good bye.
Our flights were late as it seemed that Hawaii didn't want us to leave.
The arrival and connections in San Francisco went well after few problems which were able to be solved in a satisfactory manner.
Thanks for all the people involved in the success of this trip: suppliers, staff in the office, chaperons Junso and Amy and specially the students who we will very much miss.
See you all some day,

Your friends always,

Fred and Kiersten

Day 8, 19th of March - Diamond Head

This morning, we had breakfast at Denny's. The pancakes, French toast, or fruits we ate were very yummy! Everybody enjoyed the time together. After a while, we took the public bus heading to Diamond Head, an dead volcano became a green paradise. Ready for the hike under the Hawaiian sun, we started to walk up to top of Diamond Head. We walked along the cliff, then we went through a cave, we climbed a stairs, and finally we got to see this wonderful landscape from the top me the crater. The view was amazing and everybody took lots of pictures, including many selfies! The way down was much easier. After the hike, we had six hours of free time. Some of us went to the beach to enjoy the sunshine, others went surfing or simply shopping in the city. We felt sad that tomorrow is going to be our last day in Hawaii. We dressed up for the last dinner with each other. It was a lot me fun to eat at the Round Table tonight. During the free time after the dinner, we shared a lot of stories. We will miss each other very much. This trip has been fantastic so far.

Written by Janice and Corentin

Day 7, 18th of March - Ala Moana Shopping and Talent Show

Our adventure in Hawaii keeps going on! Today after we woke up and we went to Jimmy's Buffet

 to have a breakfast buffet and then we had free time. During our free hours some of us went to the beach and enjoying the sun, while some went surfing. Surfing was great, the waves were good and the weather was nice: perfect conditions. By the end of the lessons a lot of the guys were successfully able to stand up on the board and catch up the waves on their own without the help of teachers, that was a big accomplishment!

Tonight was also the talent show night! All of us created a little sketch alone or in grou, sang a song or danced on the stage in booba gump -decorated just for us- showing our own country culture or the costumes we learned so far during our exchange. It was a pleasure for everybody see each other's work and success. After dinner we had free time on the mill to do some shopping.
The curfew is at 11.30 and everyone is so tired and sleepy so good night and enjoy the last few days of the trip! :)

Alessandra

Day 6, 17th of March - Pearl Harbor and Luau

Today we had some free time for breakfast so some of us went for a run, others chilled on the beach or simply slept in a little longer. While we were out for breakfast, we saw several green outfits around (today it was saint patrick's day), and it was quite fun to somehow assist to this american tradition!                 

Not much beach life for us as we continued our day. Before lunch we went for an interesting tour of one of the most important sites for american history: Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately we weren't able to visit the actual memorial due to the wind but it was still amazing to understand and more deeply respect this tragic event that still impacts our lives today.

After a quick stop at a grocery store, we headed towards a magical and tropical luau on the wonderful beach of paradise cove. During the time we were there we had the opportunity to make flower lays, play some interesting games and even go for a short canoe trip around the romantic bay. We had a tipical hawaiian dinner, the food was delicious and we entertained by an amazingly talented crew with music, booty shaking, hoola lessons and fire "games" as grand finale.     

After a few shots with the sexy dancers, we went back to the hotel, hanged out for a while already thinking of how amazing the next day in this paradise will be.
                                                               

By Giulia and Ursule

Day 5, 16th of March - Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

On Sunday we woke up with a lot of energy, looking forward to an awesome day. We ate breakfast at iHop, where some people ate pancakes, other people prefered toast and a few yoghurt and fruit. After that we took vans to Haunama bay ready to snorkel. There, we saw the most awesome beach we have seen so far, the view from the top was spectacular. At first we divided in groups of four so people wouldn't think we were a group, we sat all together though. The water was cold for being Hawaii and there was a lot of wind but all the fish we saw was worth it. We had a blast. After that, all covered in sand because of the wind, we went back to the hotel and had some free time to buy souvenirs, go to the beach, or stay in the hotel doing whatever. We met in the hotel and we went all together to the cheeseburger something lol. Most of the people got a bigger #2! After that, we had some more free time before meeting at the hotel again and obviously, my group got lost. Though singing and dancing we got to the hotel. Fred's speech and good nights. Another amazing day in Hawaii.

Day 4, 15th of March - North Shore, Surfing Class and Polynesian Culture Center.

Today, we went to the North Shore. After a bus ride with probably the funniest bus driver we've ever seen, we experienced our first rain in Hawaii. We arrived in Haleiwa, worried about the weather, but it turned out fine. Everyone was really excited. For a lot of us, this would be our first time surfing. We got devided into three groups of 15 people. Each group rode the waves for around an hour. In the meantime the others were hanging out at the beach. It was a great experience for all of us. The lucky ones were even able to say « hi » to some turtles.

Our next stop was the Polynisian Culture Center in Laie. We got three hours of free time were we could explore the different cultures of the polynisian islands. It was so much fun ! Hawaiian people are so open minded, friendly and entertaining.

Around 5 o'clock we finally got our dinner. We did not really have lunch, we just stopped by a super market, so everyone had been looking forward to that. Especially because we knew it was going to be a big buffet. (Exchange students have good appetite as you may know.)

Sadly, on our way back, we did not have Tiny (the funny guy who drove us there) as our bus driver. He was just hilarious. We got back around 8 o'clock and had free time until 10.30 pm. Most of us went out to Waikiki or relaxed in the hotel.

We had another awesome day in a paradise called Hawaii.

By Juliette (France), Hannah (Norway) and Ramona (Germany).

Day 3, 14th of March - Catamaran Ride and Kapiolani Park Picnic and Sunset

We woke up early, way too early, to go to Dennys. After finishing breakfast we went to the beach were the catamaran was waiting for adventure. It was a beautiful and relaxing trip around the Hawaiian coast, where we had the opportunity to swim in the warm and clear tropical water, and record it with the go pro. Afterwards we had free time to hang out on the beach, it was delightful to swim in the warm water and get tan on the beach, or enjoy our sunburn skin. At 5pm we went to picnic at kapiolani park, where we spent time together playing soccer, slacklinning, volleyball, Frisbee. Tired from the whole day hanging out around the beach, we went back to the hotel to shower and go out again to look around. Now it is time to bed, we still have a jet leg.

By Jesus, Ane and Marine

Day 2, 13th of March - Arrival in Honolulu

Finally Hawaii! Me and my friend Chechu are very happy to be here, especially because we love the group, and we are getting good vibes hanging out with the others Rotary Exchange Students. Today we landed in Honolulu, which is the city where our big and nice Hotel is! After the setting in each bedrooms we went for a walk at Kalakaua Ave and Waikiki Beach, discovering the immense Hawaian paradise. Wonderful weather, beautiful people, AND LOTS OF FUN! Also, today we met some people from Texas at the swimming pool and we really enjoyed talking to them. Tomorrow it's going to be a busy day with a sailing trip in a catamaran around the O'ahu Island, and hopefully some good surf on the Hawaiian waves! We're literally too excited! Aloha Friends, the Rotary Exchange Students are back in action all together!

Giovanni Provenzano

Day 1, 12th of March - Arrival in San Francisco

Part I: Just got to San Francisco yesterday night ago, the weather is really nice and we are very excited to receive everyone soon.

In few minutes I will be at the airport to welcome the students flying to SFO (by Fred)

Part II: The day that we have been waiting for finally arrived, today, March 12th 2014, everyone met at the Best Western hotel. Lot of new faces for almost everyone, but after a couple of hours you can already see the good vibes between all the exchange student that have become friends! After a short meeting about all the rules that have to be followed in Oahu. Yes, like it sound, we are going to Hawaii! a place that for most of us sounded too far and impossible to visit sometime ago but that is gonna come true in the next days. We are gonna have a good time. We can't wait to step on the Honolulu Airport and later on, Waikiki beach. Is gonna be a great experience for all. Hawaii is waiting for the crazy (but moderate) group of 2013-2014 Wessex inbounds!!

By Alberto Lafuente

Hawaii WESSEX 2014 starts tomorrow!

Dear Parents, Host Parents, Officers and Chairmen,

How are you? HAWAII WESSEX 2014 trip starts tomorrow! Exchange students are arriving in San Francisco (CA) tomorrow - some are arriving by plane and will be welcomed at SFO airport by our staff; others are coming by car and will be arriving at our hotel in San Francisco:

Best Western Plus Grosvenor San Francisco Hotel
380 South Airport Blvd. - South San Francisco, CA 94080 - (650) 873-3200
http://www.grosvenorsfo.com/

Exchange students should arrive in San Francisco by 05:00PM! On this same day, we'll have our General Orientation in which all the rules of the trip will be presented and explained! On March 13th (Thursday) everyone will fly together to Honolulu (HI) at the following flight:

OUTBOUND FLIGHT:
Depart from San Francisco via United flight 300 on Thursday the 13th of March at 11:25 AM to arrive in Honolulu at 01:52 PM.

RETURN FLIGHT:
Depart from Honolulu via United flight 1575 on Thursday the 20th of March at 09:55 PM to arrive in San Francisco at06:07 AM on Friday the 21st of March.

Our trip is accompanied by two group coordinators and two chaperones from Rotary! You'll be able to follow our footsteps and check everything that is happening on the trip by accessing our Official Blog! Feel free to follow and leave your comments! You can also check the photos of the trip at our Facebook Gallery! More news on Twitter and Facebook Event!

We wish all a great trip!
Aloha!

Terra North America
www.terranorthamerica.com
+55 31 3282-1737
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Hotels of the Trip:
- San Francisco: Best Western Plus Grosvenor San Francisco Hotel - 380 South Airport Blvd. - South San Francisco, CA 94080 - (650) 873-3200 (http://www.grosvenorsfo.com/)
- Honolulu: Ohana East Hotel - 150 Kaiulani Ave, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI, USA 96815 - (866) 254-1605(http://www.ohanahotelsoahu.com/ohana_east/)