We are here safe and sound @ the resort!

Dear parents,

The journey to El Galleon Dive Resort was quite long however, the students  have shown a lot of character already and they have managed the long journey really well. The computers we brought also made it in one piece. We had a little a bit of difficulty at customs when we arrived in Manila but the people were really helpful to get the equipment through.

The kids look 100% better this morning after having a good nights rest. The rooms are pretty cozy and they all seem to be very happy with the resort. So we are off to our first course in about an hour and the weather seems perfect for sailing.

 I will post some pics tonight of today's activities if the internet holds up.


Take care .
Hardi

Passport Collection and copy of health insurance.

Please submit all passports and health insurance copies by Wednesday 2 March.

Important Information!

 Flight Info

March 3        1850- depart Dubai on Cathy Pacific CX746 to Hong Kong

March 4        0800-depart Hong Kong on Cathy Pacific CX907 to Manila

March 11      1230-depart Manila on Cathy Pacific CX900 to Hong Kong

March 11      1640-depart on Cathy Pacific CX731 to Dubai

Packing List

• Sun block
• Lip salve (sun block)
• Bum bag / small backpack
• о   Underwear for the week T-Shirts (one for each evening—that would be six)
•  Pants for the week – one pair of jeans for evening, one pair of “comfy” pants like sweatpants
• Six pairs of normal socks for evening use
• Sleepwear
• Swim Suit
• Second Skin /rash vest (optional but recommended)
• Towel
• Personal items (shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush etc)
• A book to read
• Documentation (Passport, Personal identification)
•  Contact phones numbers in Dubai
• Travel insurance information (optional but recommended)
• Money (PESO)
• Camera (batteries, charger)
•  Journal & pencil
• Medication (labeled)
•   Carry on luggage that meets airline size and weight restrictions

•       NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED

DO NOT PUT MONEY OR VALUABLES IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE.  ALWAYS CARRY VALUABLES ON YOUR PERSON OR IN YOUR CARRY ON LUGGAGE!

Visas & Insurance

Please be sure to call the Philippines consulate to find out if your child needs a visa and any requirements.

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINES Villa No. 48, 35 Beirut St., Extn. No. 2 Al Qusais 3 Dubai, United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 94778 Tel. No. + 971 4 2544331 Mobile No. + 971 50 6544047 Fax No. + 971 4 2544229

OFFICE HOURS Sunday – Thursday (Except Legal Holidays) 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 nn (lunchbreak : 12- 1 PM) 1:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m. (note: Cashier will accept payments until 4 PM only)

You will need to provide proof of emergency health coverage. Usually you can call your provider and they will give you a letter attesting to your coverage. If your child doesn’t have coverage,

We would like to have students hand in their passports a few days prior to leaving; we ask that they hand them in to us by Wednesday, March 4^th. This helps prevent the forgotten passport problem that sometimes occur!

Miscellaneous

1. If students are likely to get airsick or carsick they might consider taking something to combat motion sickness.  Example: Dramamine. 
2. If the student is bringing any special medication with them, such as an inhaler, or an EpiPen, we need to have that information on record.
3. REMEMBER – Do not over pack!!
4. REMEMBER – Bring your camera!
1. Philippines uses 220V
2. Power outlets most commonly feature two round pins
3. Remember to bring batteries or a charger

Contacts in Dubai & Philippines:

1. DAA during school hours: 04 347-9222
2. DAA after school hours: (EMERGENCY USE ONLY) 050 457 8974
3. Mr. Fichardt’s mobile:  +971556840933
4. Ms Barker                     +971501529641
5. Follow us on the website:

·         http://philippinessailing.blogspot.com/ 

Reminders to Students

Team

1.    Everyone will model the behavior that we all expect DAA students to exhibit.

2.    As a group of students and teachers we are a part of a team and will act together to help and support each other in every aspect of the trip during the whole week.       

Medical

3.    First Aid kits with recommended supplies will be supplied by the school and carried by specified teachers or chaperones.

4.    Medical release forms signed by parents, giving chaperones permission to have medical treatment administered to a student if the need arises, are kept on file by the chaperones.

5.    Specific student medical information such as allergies will be carried by a teachers and chaperones.

6.    Any specific medications for students should be carried by students and teachers and chaperones must be told by the students what they are carrying and when they might need to take any medication.

7.    When traveling as a group it is very important that students stay together and not wander off.  When traveling the staff need to know where everyone is at all times.

Airports / Travel Venues

8.    The chaperones will hand out and collect passports and boarding passes when necessary.  Students will not carry these items around for any extended period of time.

9.    No "illegal items" should be carried through security. Get all metal etc., off your person, so that you don't have a traffic jam at the metal detectors.

10. When going through immigration and customs, students need to be aware that security is a very serious business and that any fooling around will not be tolerated.

Packing

11. Checked bags should have a bright color ribbon or tape on them, this helps a lot when trying to pick your bag out from that pile of bags that comes off the plane or the van.

12. Bags should have name and address labels with phone numbers etc., located on both the outside and inside of the bag.

MP3s / IPods/Electronics

13. Students may bring electronics such as IPods players BUT they are responsible for looking after their own gear.  Players may only be used when the student has down time while traveling or at night. 

If a student is using a player when it is inappropriate such as when they should be listening to instructions etc., the player will be confiscated by staff and will not be returned until the end of the trip.

Losses or Breakage

14. If students, lose or break property in lodges or vehicles etc. they will be charged the cost of replacement.

Personal Belongings

15. Students are responsible for taking care of their own personal property such as cameras, money, electronics, [passports and tickets (kept by chaperones)]. The last person leaving a room, should lock it and keep the room key, or turn it in to reception. Do not leave personal belongings laying around. The best way to carry money and valuables is in a money belt, or pouch, rather than in a pocket or daypack.

Cleaning up

16. Individuals are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. 

Community Service

17. Community Service is an important component of these trips.  Students will actively participate with local people and community members in simple community service projects while in the country.

Journals

18. Journaling is a very important student activity that should be done often during the course of the trip.  A student's journal should be an invaluable personal record of a unique experience.  Journals can contain writing, poetry, art work, photographs, and mementos.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Can I drop my child off at the airport on Thursday 3^rd March?

No – students will leave together from school after their Thursday classes. Bags are to be brought to school where they will be stored before our afternoon departure.

What do students wear to school on Thursday 3^rd March?

We are yet to find out from Principals what the requirements will be – as soon as we know, we will pass on the information.

How many students will be travelling to the Philippines?

In total there are 45 DAA students traveling to the Philippines - 32 Grade 8 Diving students and 13 Grade 7 Sailing students. There will be 5 staff members chaperoning the trip. It is essential that students are well behaved during the travelling phase and represent DAA in an appropriate & respectable manner.

What do students need to bring?

Please see the attached packing list. With regards to swimwear girls will need a one piece swimsuit and tops with no spaghetti straps. Students are not permitted to bring phones. If needed, contact with students can be made through staff.

Philippines and Hong Kong Visa travel documents for students that require visas

Accommodation confirmation letters will be emailed to you as soon as we receive the information from the resort in the Philippines. Airlines details will also be sent through ASAP. Parents have already been notified if their child requires a visa.

Does my child need extra travel Insurance?

The school insurance covers all aspects of Sailing, but additional travel insurance is required in case non-related sailing accidents occurs (i.e... trip on some stairs at the hotel and fall over). Check with your Dubai Insurance company if they cover overseas travel. If they do not, you will need to buy a 10 day insurance policy for your child. A copy of your child’s insurance needs to be given to Mr. Fichardt ASAP.

What happens if there is bad weather?

In the last 5 years of DAA going to the Philippines there has been no ‘bad’ weather. If the weather conditions are not suited to Sailing, the  school will provide other suitable activities for the students to participate in.

Are there any vaccinations that are needed for the Philippines?

There are no recommended vaccinations for the Philippines. We do encourage students to bring mosquito repellant.

What adapter does my child need to recharge cameras batteries or iPods?

These adaptor plugs enable your child’s plug configuration to fit into Philippines electrical outlets for recharging cameras and iPod batteries.

For  more information please speak to:

MR FICHARDT or MS BARKER