Tuesday, December 30, 2008

December 2008 visit to Myanmar

November to April is the best time to tour Myanmar as there are no more rainy days. From the various tourism people I spoke to, the tourism business has been down for the last two years and many people have lost their jobs.

The tour is extremely interesting for those who love nature, farming and digital photography in a safe and friendly country. It will not be the comfortable coach ride when you travel in New Zealand or Australia. Some coutnry roads are full of pot holes, a bridge across a creek may be under repair, there may be spiders and small insects and many unexpected happenings like black outs in hotels and restaurants.

In summary, this travel is more an Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone type of adventure travel and will not be suitable for those Singaporeans who love air conditioning and a very clean environment like Singapore. In that case, goto the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

However, every tourist contributes a bit to the economy of Myanmar, a country which is very safe and beautiful to tourist. Europeans, especially Germans and Swiss appreciate the culture and beauty of Myanmar and seem to go mainly to Bagan and Mount Popa. Singaporeans seldom, if ever, tour Myanmar as they have many misconceptions about the safety of travel in the country.


Itinerary from Introducing Myanmar Travel Agent:


Day 1: 22nd December ’ 2008 YANGON / Arrival. On arrival, welcome by your coach driver at the airport and transfer to the
Hotel. After refreshment, tour the capital and visit to center of town ,
Maharbandoola Park, the court , Sule Pagoda , Strand Road and the old
post-office of Yangon . In the afternoon, visit the reclining Buddha and
discover Shwedagon Pagoda and its Magnificent Golden Stupa in the evening.
Return to your Hotel.You will enjoy the entertainment at Buffet Dinner with
Myanmar Cultural Show( at 18:30 to 20:30 ) & overnight in the Kandawgyi Palace
Hotel.

Day 2: 23rd December ’ 2008 YANGON - MYITKYINA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport take your flight to Myitkyina .
Myitkyina is the capital of Kachin State. It is located the nothern part of
the Myanmar. Check-in to the hotel and excursion to Myitsone and Kayeinnaw.
Drive back to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Two Dragon
Hotel.



Day 3: 24th December ’ 2008 MYITKYINA - INNDAWGYI LAKE
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Inndawgyi Lake about (7) hours.
Inndawgyi Lake, which is the biggest Lake in Myanmar. You can enjoy the small
villages on the way to Inndawgyi Lake . Check in the Military Guest House.
Dinner & overnight at Guest House. Visit by private boat in Inndawgyi
Lake.

Day 4: 25th December ’ 2008 INNDAWGYI LAKE - MYITKYINA
Have a breakfast at the guest house. Back to guest house and proceed to Myitkyina at 6 am. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Two Dragon Hotel.

Dr Sing's comments. Leaving at 6 am. Misty mountain roads to valley. Long stretches of farmland and many villages - Rice farms mainly. Rice harvest completed for most farms but the tourist can see many farming matters like ploughing, threshing and vegetable farms. Bright sunshine. Cool climate despite being winter.





Day 5: 26th December ’ 2008 MYITKYINA - MANDALY - MAY MYO ( PWIN OO LWIN )
After breakfast, visit the morning vegetable market in Myitkyina. Transfer to
the Airport to take the flight to Mandalay. From Mandalay International Airport
to Pwinoolwin drive by car about (2) hours. Check in to the Aureum Resort
Hotel, dinner & overnight in Pwin Oo Lwin.

Day 6: 27th December ’ 2008 PWIN OO LWIN - MANDALAY - BAGAN - POPA
After breakfast at the Hotel, excursion around Pwinoolwin which is the old
British altitude resort. You will discover this charming climatic resort that
has kept all the British colonial time charm : nice half timbering houses,
flowered gardens, BE water falls and beautiful botanical garden . After
Sightseeing in Pwinoolwin continue to Mandalay International Airport take your
flight to Bagan . Transfer to Popa Mountain Resort about (1½ ) hours drive
from Bagan ( Nyaung U ) Airport. Dinner & overnight at Popa Mountain Resort
Hotel.

Day 7: 28th December ’ 2008 POPA - BAGAN
After breakfast at the Hotel, enjoy the beautiful panorama from you resort.
Climb up over (770-steps) to reach the top of the Mt. Popa and drive back to
Bagan. On the way visit a peasant family to see the production of
groundnut-oil and palm-sugar, and the rural villages to see the life of the
people there. Transfer to Hotel. Half day visit in Bagan , is listed as a World
Heritage Site in 1998 by UNESCO. Bagan represents the Spiritual Heritage and
Heartland of Old Bagan with temples, pagodas and stupas dating from the 9th
century. Bagan and its (2229 monuments) is considered to be one of the richest
archaeological sites of Asia . Visit the major temples and monumants of the
town, as well as monasteries, caves and a lacquer factory before enjoying the
wonderful view from the Shwesandaw Pagoda at Sunset. Dinner & overnight at
Hotel.

Day 8: 29th December ’ 2008 BAGAN - YANGON - SINGAPORE
After early beautiful breakfast at the Hotel, transfer to Airport take your
flight back to Yangon . Take the International flight back to Singapore.