敬愛的台灣鄉親
在去年12月中旬，我在三位世台會會員陪同下，飛到哥斯大黎加首都聖荷西，探查世台會開會及會後旅遊的地點。承蒙哥斯大黎加台灣協會及台灣婦女會邀請會員們熱情招待，細心指點，並且由台協會三位會長及家屬，專程帶領我們到哥國名勝，去找尋適合世台會會員旅遊的景點。
在過去一個月來，我和哥國、巴拿馬鄉親及旅館負責人密切交涉後，2011 年世台會的開會地點及旅遊行程大致決定了。
大會時間 : 9 月23 日 至 9月25 日
地點 : Barceló San José Palacio Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica
會後旅遊 : 哥斯大黎加及巴拿馬 兩個國家
A. Costa Rica : 9 月25 日至 9 月 30 日
B. Panama : 9月30日至10月 5日
(可選擇只遊哥斯大黎加或兩個國家都參加)
哥斯大黎加有「中美洲的花園」之稱，境內有9座活火山，國家公園、野生動物保護區、原始森林等天然奇景。我們選擇三個城市為遊覽的據點，由首都聖荷西向哥國西北邊延伸，由 Libera Airport 搭機回到你的家，可節省鄉親舟車勞累。
1.Barceló San José Palacio in 聖荷西 -- 開大會及Eco-tour
2. Tabacon Grand spa and Thermal Resort by Arenal Volcano –
溫泉熱度由Arenal Volcano沸騰的蒸氣與岩漿加溫，住在這裏兩夜,可自
由自在且無限制進出Tabacon River Hot Springs;可參加附近National
Park的Eco-Tour;可半夜觀賞Arenal Volcano 噴出岩漿的景觀。
3. Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort in Guancaste –
座落於太平洋岸，有長達1.5 英哩的白沙灘就在resort內，數不盡的Eco-
Adventure 任你選擇; 更有一個 Championship eco-golf course 向你的
球技挑戰。
到了哥斯大黎加，不順道到鄰國巴拿馬遊覽幾天，似乎意猶未盡。有人以為巴拿馬除了運河外，別無特色，其實不然。近年來，巴拿馬大城市高樓大廈林立，房地產價格上揚快速，由外國移居的人數快速增加。由台灣來的鄉親逐漸加多，當地鄉親以“在地郎“的經驗為世台會規劃一個四天的旅程。
9月30日下午乘遊覽車由Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort 到 San Jose 過夜，準備次日清晨搭機到 Panama City。行程包括Taborcillo –The John Wayne Island 過夜，傾聽海浪波濤聲，欣賞日出、日落、 晚霞，運氣好時，可看到海龜上岸下蛋；Panama city tour；參觀運河；Chagre 熱帶雨林印地安自治區；乘火車到Colon 免稅自由區、Portobelo Port 沿途觀賞運河兩岸景色。
世台會精心規劃2011年哥斯大黎加年會，希望引起你的共鳴。讓我們一起到聖荷西城，和當地鄉親見面、交陪，請你預先保留這段時間。詳細的邀請函及報名表將於4月中旬時寄出。
如果你有興趣參加，為確保準時收到正式通知，歡迎你先讓我們知道你的地址，或email address，到時將會直接寄給你。如果你有任何問題也請歡迎來函指教。 程韻如 Susan Chang Susanyj47@yahoo.com 或 張月英 Anna Chang annachang5@gmail.com
敬祝
新年萬事如意!
世界台灣同鄉會聯合會會長 程韻如敬上
2011年2月2日
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
US Congress is urged to remember the 228 Massacre
US Congress is urged to remember the 228 Massacre
By William Lowther / Staff Reporter in WASHINGTON
Members of the US Congress are being urged to commemorate the 64th anniversary of Taiwan’s 228 Massacre as an “important historical event.”
Congressman Scott Garrett has entered a plea into the Congressional Record.
The 228 Massacre refers to the brutal crackdown following the uprising in 1947 against the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) regime, which left tens of thousands dead and led to a nearly four-decade-long period of martial law.
After outlining what happened in the tragic 1947 event, Garrett said: “Through this daunting experience, a bigger and brighter Taiwan is beginning to emerge. Now we have a thriving and pluralistic democracy. While they are still fighting for sovereignty from China, since 2000 the Taiwanese have made strides to control their own destiny, and have transitioned between ruling parties based on the will of its citizens.”
Bob Yang (楊英育), president of the Formosan Association of Public Affairs, said later: “Recent attempts by the KMT government to whitewash this horrific episode in Taiwan’s history are extremely disturbing. The government urging the general public in Taiwan ‘to forgive and forget’ is utterly unacceptable.”
He added: “The 228 Massacre must never be forgotten. The time is now that the Kuomintang Nationalist party [KMT] must make amends for the crimes it committed during the massacre and its protracted aftermath of White Terror.”
Discussing the 228 Massacre remained taboo for decades under Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) rule. Chiang died in 1975.
It was not until 1995 that then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) of the KMT made the first official apology for the incident. The legislature later agreed on compensation and made Feb. 28 an official national holiday.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
By William Lowther / Staff Reporter in WASHINGTON
Members of the US Congress are being urged to commemorate the 64th anniversary of Taiwan’s 228 Massacre as an “important historical event.”
Congressman Scott Garrett has entered a plea into the Congressional Record.
The 228 Massacre refers to the brutal crackdown following the uprising in 1947 against the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) regime, which left tens of thousands dead and led to a nearly four-decade-long period of martial law.
After outlining what happened in the tragic 1947 event, Garrett said: “Through this daunting experience, a bigger and brighter Taiwan is beginning to emerge. Now we have a thriving and pluralistic democracy. While they are still fighting for sovereignty from China, since 2000 the Taiwanese have made strides to control their own destiny, and have transitioned between ruling parties based on the will of its citizens.”
Bob Yang (楊英育), president of the Formosan Association of Public Affairs, said later: “Recent attempts by the KMT government to whitewash this horrific episode in Taiwan’s history are extremely disturbing. The government urging the general public in Taiwan ‘to forgive and forget’ is utterly unacceptable.”
He added: “The 228 Massacre must never be forgotten. The time is now that the Kuomintang Nationalist party [KMT] must make amends for the crimes it committed during the massacre and its protracted aftermath of White Terror.”
Discussing the 228 Massacre remained taboo for decades under Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) rule. Chiang died in 1975.
It was not until 1995 that then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) of the KMT made the first official apology for the incident. The legislature later agreed on compensation and made Feb. 28 an official national holiday.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)