THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Transcription

1 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART u TRACING ANCIENT BUDDHISM u A Journey to Sri Lanka November 12 to 23, 2014 MET ADVENTURES

2 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Strategically perched in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has lured explorers for millennia. Called Taprobane by the Greeks, Serendib by the Persians and Arabs, and Ceylon by the Europeans, its pearls, ivory, gemstones, and spices were prized by all. Indians arrived in the third century B.C.E., bearing a sapling from the Buddha s sacred fig tree and the spiritual riches of a new faith. On this Met Adventures trip, we invite you to explore the island s Buddhist legacy, as we journey from the monasteries of Anuradhapura to the cinnamon trees of Hikkaduwa. We are honored that John Guy, the Florence and Herbert Irving Curator of the Arts of South and Southeast Asia in the Museum s Department of Asian Art, will be leading this program. Begin in the capital city of Colombo, to see the treasures of the National Museum. Drive inland to Sigiriya, a city fortress carved 1,500 years ago from the massive Lion s Rock ; and spend four days exploring Sri Lanka s Cultural Triangle the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and the Dambulla cave-temple complex. Continue to Kandy to learn the fascinating story of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic before taking a botanist-led tour of the Royal TRAVELING WITH YOU Botanical Garden. From Galle, a port city John Guy is the Florence and with Portuguese and Dutch influences, Herbert Irving Curator of South drive along the scenic southwest coast and Southeast Asian Art at to visit the villages of Hikkaduwa and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. He served for 22 years Bentota before returning to Colombo. as Senior Curator of Indian If you would like to further learn Art at the Victoria & Albert about Buddhist art, an optional prelude in Museum, London, and is an South India with John Guy features a full elected Fellow of the Society day in Amaravati, site of one of the great of Antiquaries, London. John was an advisor to Buddha relic stupas built in the reign of UNESCO on historical sites in Asia, and has worked Emperor Ashoka, 3rd century B.C.E. The on a number of archaeological excavations. His research interests include the early temple arts and ancient Hindu sanctuary of Mahabalipuram sculptural traditions of South and Southeast Asia, is a further highlight. focusing on southern Indian and Sri Lanka. Seven centuries ago, Marco Polo John has curated and co-curated several major declared Sri Lanka the best island of its exhibitions including: Chola: Sacred Bronzes of size in the world. Why not come discover Southern India (Royal Academy 2006); Wonder of it for yourselves? the Age : Master Painters of India, (MMA ); and the upcoming international loan Sincerely, exhibition Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia (MMA, April-July 2014). His major books include Indian Temple Sculpture (2007), Woven Cargoes: Indian Textiles in the East (1998, 2010), and Wonder of The Age: Master Emily K. Rafferty Painters of India (2011). u President T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT u 1000 F IFTH A VENUE u N EW Y ORK, N EW Y ORK 10028

3 u T RACING ANCIENT BUDDHISM u A Journey to Sri Lanka November 12 to 23, 2014 u CULTURAL TRIANGLE Sunday, November 16 photo Alain Couillaud Frescoes at Sigiriya. NEW YORK Wednesday, November 12 Depart New York on a mid-morning flight to Colombo. COLOMBO Thursday, November 13 Arrive this evening in Colombo and transfer to the Taj Samudra Hotel. COLOMBO Friday, November 14 The morning is at leisure. Following lunch, visit the National Museum, which features 12th-century bronzes of Hindu gods. Admire the President s House, built by the last Dutch governor of Ceylon at the end of the 18th century. In the late afternoon, we hope to meet with the US Ambassador (pending availability) before our welcome dinner. COLOMBO u CULTURAL TRIANGLE Saturday, November 15 The focus of our morning is Anuradhapura, the greatest monastic city of ancient Sri Lanka and the island s first capital. Explore the ruined royal palaces, gardens, monasteries, and monuments. Lunch is at an old colonial rest house before our visit to the mountain peak of Mihintale. Now a pilgrimage site, Mihintale is believed to be the location of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiya Tissa who inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Return to the hotel for dinner. CULTURAL TRIANGLE Monday, November 17 Spend the morning in Polonnaruwa, the capital of Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was called until 1972) in the 11th and 12th centuries. Significant remains of temples and shrines give us a good idea of what the city was once like. Following lunch, visit Ritigala, an ancient monastery whose ruins and rock inscriptions date back to the 1st century B.C.E. Then see Medirigiriya, considered the best vatadage (circular relic house) in the country. Return to the hotel for dinner. Approximate daily travel time: 6 hours. This morning, drive to Sri Lanka s Cultural Triangle, situated in the center of the island and containing many UNESCO World Heritage sites. After lunch, visit the extraordinary site of Sigiriya (Lion Rock), built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century C.E. A blend of fortress and palace, Sigiriya is justly famous for its frescoes of celestial dancers and its rock garden. Arrive in the late afternoon at the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, our base for exploring ancient Buddhist sites. Dinner is at the hotel. Approximate daily travel time: 5.5 hours. Ruins of an ancient Buddhist vatadage, Polonnaruwa. photo f9photos u T RACING A NCIENT B UDDHISM u

4 u u u Island housing the Royal Summer House in Kandy Lake. CULTURAL TRIANGLE u KANDY Tuesday, November 18 Depart for a morning visit to Dambulla Cave Temple, whose history dates from the 1st century B.C.E. Carved into the hillside, the caves have important sculptures and 19th-century paintings. Continue to Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage site, passing spice gardens and coffee plantations. Stop en route at the ancient Hindu Temple in Nalanda, said to have been used by early Buddhists. We will also visit the historic cave temple of Aluvihare. It is said that in the 1st century B.C.E., 500 monks gathered here to write down the Buddhist doctrines comprising the Tripitikaya ( three baskets of law ) in order to preserve the oral tradition. After lunch, we continue our drive to Kandy, arriving in the late afternoon at the Cinnamon Citadel, where we will spend two nights. Dinner is at the hotel. KANDY Wednesday, November 19 Morning visits in Kandy begin at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, followed by the Kandy Museum. Then travel outside of the city to the Royal Botanical Gardens for lunch and a tour with a local botanist. Conclude the afternoon at the Degaldoruwa Temple, with exceptional wall paintings. The evening is at leisure in Kandy. photo Kevin Miller Reclining Buddha, Dambulla Cave Temple (left) and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy (right). u A J OURNEY TO S RI L ANKA u

5 u u u KANDY u GALLE Thursday, November 20 Today we drive to the Indian Ocean, passing tea and spice plantations as we descend to the coast. Lunch is arranged en route. Arrive in the late afternoon in Galle, a port city whose prominence rose with the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century. Accommodations are at the dramatically situated Jetwing Lighthouse. Dinner is at the hotel. Approximate daily travel time: 4.5 hours. GALLE Friday, November 21 Spend the morning at the Galle Fort, guided by a local historian, author, and photographer. Built and expanded over the centuries, the fort was once described by Paul Theroux as being garlanded with red hibiscus and smelling of the palm-scented ocean. In addition to cinnamon warehouses, former Dutch prisons, food stalls, and pigeon posts, we will see beautifully restored colonial villas. Following lunch, return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Our farewell dinner this evening is in an old spice merchant s house. GALLE u COLOMBO Saturday, November 22 The morning and lunch are at leisure. This afternoon depart for Colombo, stopping en route at Hikkaduwa, known for its temples and spice gardens featuring Sri Lanka s world renowned cinnamon. Following dinner in Bentota, continue to Colombo for the late-night flights home. Approximate daily travel time: 3 hours. COLOMBO u NEW YORK Sunday, November 23 Transfer to the airport for the flights to New York. u PROGRAM RATE $7,750 (per person, double occupancy) SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,025 RATE INCLUDES u Nine nights hotel accommodations as per itinerary u Breakfast daily, eight lunches, and eight dinners; beer / wine with dinners; bottled water, coffee / tea with all meals u Enrichment program of lectures and special events u Escorted sightseeing by private motorcoach; entrance fees for visits u Airport / hotel group transfers and porterage u Taxes, service, and gratuities to local guides and drivers NOT INCLUDED IN RATE Airfare; passport and visa fees; alcoholic beverages other than beer / wine at dinners; personal items and expenses; airport transfers for those not on group flights; baggage in excess of one suitcase; trip insurance; any other items not specifically mentioned as included. OPTIONAL SOUTH INDIA PRELUDE $2,995 per person; single supplement $475. Includes five nights hotel accommodations; buffet breakfast daily, three lunches, and three dinners with bottled water and coffee / tea; Economy Class airfare Chennai / Vijayawada / Chennai / Colombo; sightseeing as per itinerary. T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT Met Adventures u A Journey to Sri Lanka u November 12 to 23, 2014 RESERVATION APPLICATION To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor, New York, NY Names in Full as on Passports. Please Print. Address City State Zip Telephone (Home) (Business) Fax ACCOMMODATIONS I wish to share a room with p Double p Twin p Single (at a supplement of $1,025) OPTIONAL SOUTH INDIA PRELUDE p I / We wish to join the optional South India Prelude ($2,995 per person; single supplement $475) FORM OF PAYMENT p Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad) p Credit card (may be used for deposit only) Name on Credit Card Credit Card Number 3- or 4-Digit Security Code Expiration Date Each participant must sign below. This is an active tour and I/We confirm that I/we am/are in good health and physically able to participate in the trip s program. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program. I/We agree to full payment by check 120 days prior to departure. Signature (Required) Date Signature (Required) Date For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: or u Fax: u met@arrangementsabroad.com u

6 OPTIONAL PRELUDE SOUTH INDIA WITH JOHN GUY November 8 to 14, 2014 NEW YORK u CHENNAI, INDIA Saturday, November 8 & Sunday, November 9 Depart New York on Saturday, on an overnight flight to Chennai. Arrive in Chennai late Sunday evening and transfer to The Leela Palace Hotel. CHENNAI u VIJAYAWADA, INDIA Monday, November 10 Following an early breakfast, fly to Vijayawada. Arrive at the Taj Gateway Hotel in time for lunch and check-in. Later in the afternoon visit the nearby Hindu Temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga. Return to the hotel for dinner. VIJAYAWADA Tuesday, November 11 Depart on a full-day excursion to the town of Amaravati, the site of a great Buddhist stupa. Built during the reign of Emperor Ashok, the stupa is decorated with carved panels telling the story of Buddha s life. Some of the Buddhist sculptures of Amaravati had a Greco-Roman influence that was the direct result of the close trade and diplomatic contacts with the ancient Romans. After lunch, continue to Goli village to see its Buddhist stupa. Dinner is at the hotel. Approximate daily travel time: 5 hours. VIJAYAWADA u CHENNAI Wednesday, November 12 A late-morning flight takes us back to Chennai. Upon arrival, continue on an orientation tour of Chennai before returning to The Leela Palace Hotel. Dinner is at the hotel. CHENNAI Thursday, November 13 Focus this morning on Kanchipuram, the golden town of a thousand temples. From early Pallava Dynasty reliefs to the towering gopuras (entrance towers) and pillared halls of the Vijayanagara Dynasty, the temples demonstrate the quality and diversity of Tamil art. After lunch, drive to the ancient seaport of Mahabalipuram to see the Rathas, a group of carved temple models which are the first ever architectural museum. Elsewhere, granite boulders with superb carvings of mythical scenes are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian sculpture. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Approximate daily travel time: 5.5 hours CHENNAI u COLOMBO, SRI LANKA Friday, November 14 Fly to Colombo this morning and transfer to the Taj Samudra to join the Main Program guests for lunch. u u u

7 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART 1000 Fifth Avenue u New York, NY PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID ACADEMIC ARRANGEMENTS ABROAD u TRACING ANCIENT BUDDHISM u A Journey to Sri Lanka u November 12 to 23,

8 u T ERMS & C ONDITIONS u AIRFARE Academic Arrangements Abroad (AAA) will be pleased to assist with air travel arrangements for this program, including specially negotiated group airfare when available, suggested group flights, or your own individual requests, for a processing fee of $40 per person. Complete details will be provided in your confirmation mailing. PAYMENT SCHEDULE A deposit of $2,000 per person, payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees, is required with the reservation application. Final payment, by check only, must be received 120 days prior to departure. HEALTH Met Adventures are active programs that involve extensive walking and require all participants to be in good physical and mental health. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time of your reservation. AAA and the Met can counsel interested travelers on whether a Met Adventures program is appropriate for them. PHOTOGRAPHY Photographs or, in some cases, videotapes of participants of Travel With the Met trips may be used for educational and promotional purposes by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. INSURANCE TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION PENALTIES ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED. AAA will send an insurance application upon receipt of deposit, although you may select an alternative insurer of your choice. CHANGES IN ITINERARY & COSTS The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and AAA. All prices quoted are based on prevailing fuel prices, airfares and currency exchange rates in effect as of the time of brochure printing and are subject to change without notice. Deviations from the scheduled itinerary are at the expense of the individual. RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE The participation of The Met is limited to educational sponsorship of the program described in this brochure (The Program). AAA acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations and all other services, relating to The Program. AAA, the Met and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of The Program. The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the participant and the carrier. Nor will AAA or the Met and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or anything beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or the Met. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times.the Met and AAA reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from The Program at their own expense when such an action is determined by AAA or the Met to be in the best interest of the participant s health and safety, or the general welfare of the other participants. CANCELLATION POLICY AAA must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; ship charters; communication expenses; development/promotional expenses and the loss of time that might have permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made in writing to the offices of AAA and are subject to a $350 nonrefundable administrative fee. All refunds are limited to amounts actually received by AAA and are the sole responsibility of AAA; the Met shall have no liability for refunds. At the time AAA receives written notification of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will apply: cancellations received between 120 to 91 days prior to departure, 20 percent of the program cost per person; 90 and 61 days prior to departure, 50 percent of the program cost per person; no refunds will be given for cancellations received within 60 days of departure. No refunds are given for cancellation on or after the day of departure, or for unused portions of the tour, for any reason. Air cancellation charges, if any, will be assessed in accordance with airline regulations. All group fare tickets must be issued no less than 30 days prior to departure. NOTE: Neither AAA nor the Met shall be liable for any airline cancellation penalties incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket. In the case of a cancellation due to shortage of participants, AAA will attempt to notify all participants at least 45 days prior to departure. However, AAA reserves the right to cancel The Program prior to departure for any reason and, in such case, reimbursement of refundable costs of the trip by AAA shall constitute full settlement with the participant. In the unlikely event that a dispute arises between a participant and AAA or the Met, the following conditions will apply: (a) the dispute will be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in New York, NY; (b) the dispute will be governed by New York Law; (c) the maximum amount of recovery to which a participant shall be entitled under any and all circumstances will be the sum of all monies actually received from the participant by AAA. The participant agrees that this is a fair and reasonable limitation on the damages, of any sort whatsoever, that a participant may suffer. Upon payment of the deposit to AAA, the participant agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions. Copyright 2014 Arrangements Abroad, Inc. CST Front cover: Monumental rock-cut Buddha in meditation, Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, 12th century. Back cover: Fresco at the Dambulla Cave Temple. photo Serg Myshkovsky (top) and the Rankhot Vihara Dagoba in Polonnaruwa, photo A. Sergieiev (bottom).