Lot 44
Readin’, Writin’, and Rising Global Powers

A land-sea trip for two (2) people to attend the East Asia World Symposium, March 4-20, 2008, accompanied by Elizabeth and Clarke Swanson
Admission to all seminar events on Asian history, culture, politics and economics including featured guest speaker George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and China, and director of the CIA
Four (4) nights at the New China World Hotel, Beijing
A charter flight from Beijing to Hong Kong
Twelve (12) nights aboard the Silver Whisper luxury cruise ship, sailing from Hong Kong to Shanghai, Seoul, Nagasaki and Taipei
1 - 3 Liter 2004 Swanson Estate Alexis
1 - 3 Liter 2004 Swanson Estate Oakville Merlot

If you ever wished you could relive your college days again in style, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do so. Your classroom will be a luxurious ship, cruising the sapphire waters of Southeast Asia and your professor is none other than George Herbert Walker Bush – the 41st president of the United States!

“Rising Global Powers: A World Leader Symposium in China and East Asia” is an incredible educational and edifying experience to learn first-hand about Asian history, culture, politics and economics from former and current world leaders as well as prominent scholars from Stanford, Yale, Harvard and MIT, whose Alumni Associations are joint sponsors of this trip. Speakers include former President Bush and William Perry, former Secretary of Defense (1994–97).

After four days in Beijing, China’s majestic capital city, you’ll embark on a mini semester-at-sea aboard the Silver Whisper, rated by Robb Report as “the best of the best.” The award-winning 388-passenger, six-star Silver Whisper is the newest vessel in Silversea’s fleet. All rooms are suites, most with private verandas and amenities include all those found in the world’s best hotels and resorts. In addition to exploring Shanghai, Seoul, Nagasaki and Taipei, you’ll get to tour landmarks including the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park in Nagasaki and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall in Taiwan.

Now, we can’t promise you’ll get a diploma in East Asian Studies, but you will definitely receive a Double Magnum each of Swanson Estate 2004 Alexis and Oakville Merlot—two phenomenal wines to commemorate your phenomenal voyage of discovery!

The highest bid enrolls you in this first-class “classroom” experience of a lifetime!

Insider’s Info: Trip includes welcome and farewell cocktail receptions, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, all shore excursions and tours, gratuities to guides, porters and ship’s crew, 24-hour room service onboard the ship, all beverages onboard the ship, port fees and embarkation taxes, minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance and Chinese visa for U.S. citizens. Trip does not include international airfare from the U.S. to Beijing nor the return from Hong Kong to the U.S., expediting fee for Chinese visa, salon and spa services, room service in hotels, personal items (laundry, telephone, e-mail charges) and gratuities for non-group items.

DONORS: Elizabeth & W. Clarke Swanson of Swanson Vineyards