Legends of the Golden Land the Road to Mandalay
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The Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College LLegendsegends ooff thethe GGoldenolden LLandand aandnd tthehe RRoadoad ttoo MMandalayandalay January 20 to February 1, 2014 ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ Dear Alumnae and Friends: Myanmar, better known as Burma, has recently re-emerged from isolation after spending decades locked away from the world. Join us and you will be among the fi rst Americans to experience this golden land of deeply spiritual Buddhist beliefs, old world traditions and more than one million pagodas. You will become immersed in the country’s rich heritage, the incredible beauty of its landscape and the warmth of friendly people who take great pride in welcoming you to their ancient and enchanting land. Breathtaking moments await you amid the lush greenery and golden plains as you discover great kingdoms that have risen and fallen through thousands of years of history. See the legacy of Britain’s former colony in its architecture and tree-lined boulevards, and the infl uences of China, India and Thailand evident in the art, dance and dress of Myanmar today. Observe and interact with skilled artisans who practice the traditional arts of textile weaving, goldsmithing, lacquerware and wood carving. Meet fascinating people, local experts and musicians who will enhance your experience with educational lectures and insightful presentations. And, along the streets and in the markets you will sense the metta bhavana, the culture of loving kindness that the Burmese extend to you, their special guest. This comprehensive itinerary features colonial Yangon, the archaeological sites of Bagan, the palace of Mandalay and the exquisite Inle Lake, with forays along the fabled Irrawaddy River. It was carefully planned to enhance your touring experience as well as to include wonderful, ideally located fi ve-star hotels. It is an outstanding value and absolutely the best way to experience this ancient land. Space is limited, so I encourage you to book now while Early Booking Savings and space are available. Mingalaba! Sincerely, Jane E. Zachary Executive Director Cover Photo: Buddhist monks meditate at the temples of Bagan, shielding themselves from the sun with traditional umbrellas. Photo this page: Bagan’s Archaeological Zone is significant not only for its sheer number of religious edifices but also for the magnificent architecture of its pagodas and their contribution to Burmese temple design, including vaulted temples and pentagonal floor plans. ““ThisThis iiss BBurmaurma aandnd iitt iiss uunlikenlike aanyny llandand yyouou kknownow aabout.”bout.” –Rudyard Kipling, Letters from the East, 1898 Marco Polo called Burma “the golden land” when he traveled to this ancient cultural paradise in the 13th century and saw the thousands of glittering, golden pagodas, religious shrines and stupas that stretched as far as the eye could see. Six hundred years later, the wonderfully preserved enchantment of this land inspired Rudyard Kipling, a young 19th-century British soldier, to write the “Road to Mandalay,” a poem immortalizing the mystical beauty, grace and charm of Burma’s lands and peoples. The “Road to Mandalay” is the mysterious Irrawaddy River, a centuries-old conduit fl owing from Yangon (Rangoon) to Mandalay and passing the tranquil setting of Bagan, a serene golden plain gently dotted with 11th-century pagodas and temples that still distinguish the landscape. Burma’s allure continues to beckon travelers to experience a world where time has stood still—where vast, natural beauty, rich traditions, colorful pageantry and unsurpassed cultural heritage remain untouched and steeped in Buddhist traditions. Once cut off from the rest of the world, Myanmar has experienced a rebirth, opening its borders and allowing international visitors to see its exotic treasures and traditions, to encounter some of the more than 100 national races of people living together and to experience cedana, the creed that Myanmar people live by—a heartfelt goodwill towards friends and strangers alike. U.S. Monday, Day 1 Depart from the U.S. Cross the International Date Line. Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) Tuesday, Day 2 Arrive in the garden city of Yangon, the country’s former capital and home to the largest number of colonial structures in all of Southeast Asia. Check into the fi ve-star CHATRIUM HOTEL ROYAL LAKE YANGON. Yangon Wednesday, Day 3 After breakfast, begin your tour of Yangon along its wide, tree-lined avenues and turn-of-the-century architecture. See the Sule Pagoda, where legend has it that a strand of hair from Buddha is enshrined in this golden stupa. UNESCO World Heritage Site Then, see one of the MYANMAR Land Routing Air Routing ancient wonders of the world: (BURMA) the glittering, 11th-century MINGUN Shwedagon Pagoda, which is covered in gold—shwe being SAGAING MANDALAY .S. U the Burmese word for gold. BAGAN o PINDAYA /t Its spire is studded with rubies, om HEHO fr sapphires, topaz and over r e Inle 2000 carats of diamonds, and v LAOS i Lake MYANMAR R its interior houses eight strands y d of hair from Buddha and d a YANGON THAILAND w other relics. Here, discover the a r r BANGKOK heart and humility of the I Angkor Andaman SIEM REAP Wat Myanmar people with their Sea CAMBODIA prayer offerings of fl owers, YANGON Gulf of Thailand incense and candles. Notice that some young women wear Yangon/Bagan yellowish-white paste on their faces called Friday, Day 5 thanaka, made from ground tree bark, This morning, fl y to Bagan, home to over traditionally used for its cooling properties 2000 pagodas, temples and stupas and and as a sunscreen. Visit the 230-foot-long one of the most remarkable archaeological statue of the Chaukhtatgyi Paya Reclining sites in Asia. Visit fi ve of the most notable Buddha and St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in th temples in Bagan’s Archaeological Zone, the late 19 century and known for its including the Ananda Temple, a 12th-century beautiful stained-glass windows and its architectural masterpiece built under the fortitude during the Japanese invasion reign of King Kyanzittha. during World War II. Continue to the Transfer to the deluxe AYE YAR Botataung Pagoda, known for its mirrored RIVER VIEW RESORT, a resort located on the maze-like walkway lined with glass cases banks of the Irrawaddy River, for lunch. exhibiting many ancient relics and artifacts. Then, enjoy a traditional horse-drawn Following lunch in a nearby restaurant, carriage ride amid Bagan’s remarkable visit the National Museum to view the temples, pagodas and stupas. richly decorated Lion Throne, royal jewelry At sunset, enjoy spectacular views over and ancient artifacts. Bagan from the unique vantage point of the Enjoy the Welcome Reception and Shwesandaw Pagoda. Return to the hotel Dinner this evening. for dinner. Yangon Thursday, Day 4 Bagan Today, meet with warm, friendly Myanmar Saturday, Day 6 people at the Gitameit Music Center, Begin the day exploring Nyaung U Market, established in 2003 as a musicians’ where you have an opportunity to mingle community for adults and children, and hear with Myanmar’s friendly people. Continue a lively performance of traditional music. to the Shwezigon Pagoda, built by Continue to Kalaywa Tawya Monastery, King Anawrahta to enshrine relics of home to over 1300 monks and novices. Buddha; it is one of the most signifi cant Observe the gathering of monks and nuns religious structures in Burma as it served as during the dramatic, silent serving of their the architectural model for future stupas. second and last meal of the day. Essential to your stay in Bagan is a visit to a This afternoon, walk Yangon’s cobbled local lacquerware workshop where you will streets of Bogyoke Aung San Market see and learn more about this ancient craft. (Scott Market) where thousands of stalls After lunch in a nearby restaurant, feature Burmese jewelry, art and handicrafts. continue touring Bagan’s numerous pagodas. Inle Lake’s native people, the Inthas, have masterfully rowed their boats with one leg for generations, freeing their hands to fish using conical nets. This unique stance allows them to see fish at the bottom of the lake. The intentionally unfinished 18th-century Mingun Pagoda, still guarded by the remains of large stone lions, was irreparably damaged in an 1839 earthquake that produced wide cracks in its walls. Enjoy a sunset cocktail cruise on the and watch as gold leaf is fl attened into Irrawaddy River and watch as the thin wafers, a traditional craft preserved changing light provides a breathtaking by the Myanmar people. Also, meet illumination of the ancient temples. local artisans and observe the creation of exquisite, handwoven embroidery or Bagan/Mandalay intricate woodcarvings. Sunday, Day 7 The remainder of the day is at leisure This morning, fl y to Mandalay. A former to pursue individual interests. capital of the Myanmar kingdom and the heart of its royal history, Mandalay Mandalay still has an imperial feel with the Tuesday, Day 9 crowning glory of Mandalay Palace This morning, embark on your captivating at its center. In Amarapura, cruise along the “Road to Mandalay,” the City of Immortality, stop at one of the Irrawaddy River. Dock in Mingun, Myanmar’s most photographed sites, known for its formidable Mingun Pagoda, the U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest left unfi nished following a prophecy teak footbridge, which crosses that warned if it was completed the Taungthaman Lake. Visit the serene country would be destroyed. See the Maha Ganayon Monastery, home to famous 90-ton Mingun Bell, the largest several thousand young monks, and intact bell in the world, which was Mahamuni Buddha Temple, a major to be installed at the top of the king’s pilgrimage site where gold leaf is regularly unfi nished pagoda. Visit the beautiful applied to the most revered Buddha in white Hsinbyume Pagoda, designed for Myanmar by devoted followers.