RT T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT

STD u G OLDEN S TUPAS, A NCIENT T EMPLES u

The Treasures of Burma

u With Olivier Bernier u

January 11 to 24, 2012 T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT

Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, u Burma, in spite of its political problems, is a country of great fascination. Its ancient monuments and unbroken traditions speak of a rich culture and complex history. Deeply imbued with , Burma has pursued a unique artistic path. Its temples have evolved their own singular shape, and its welcoming people have not forgotten their traditions. Today still, there is much to see—antiquities, of course, but also the creations of local artisans.

Traveling with us to this captivating land will be noted author and art historian Olivier Bernier, who has accompanied dozens of Travel with the Met trips to rave reviews. His lectures and insights will enrich our journey.

We begin with an overnight in , and then continue to , Burma’s largest city. During a two-night stay at a landmark Victorian-style hotel, we will explore this historic city, which has an interesting mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences. Flying on to , the country’s cultural heart, view exceptional examples of traditional art and architecture. See the 12th-century Khmer bronze statues at the Mahamuni Pagoda, as well as the Royal Palace, Golden Palace Monastery, and the U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world.

In , we will spend four nights in bungalows set in a subtropical garden on the Irrawaddy River. Visit the most impressive of the site’s 1,000 remaining pagodas, take a pony cart ride through Old Bagan and travel to Mount Popa to discover an extraordinary hilltop temple. An optional hot air balloon ride over the “City of Pagodas” is sure to be memorable.

Fly to Heho, then drive to Nyaung Shwe and board a long-tailed boat for a cruise on scenic Inle Lake, L BHUTAN passing floating villages and gardens. During two nights at a lakeside resort, explore surrounding historic and iver BANGLADESH R

y d religious sites by boat. Return to Yangon where visits

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I Mandalay VIETNAM everything from handicrafts to silk and rubies. Bay of Bagan Heho Bengal LAOS I hope you will join us for this exceptional BURMA program combining ancient sites, Buddhist traditions, Yangon and stunning natural beauty. Gulf of Sincerely, Martaban Bangkok

CAMBODIA

Gulf of Thailand Emily K. Rafferty President

T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT u 1000 FIFTH A VENUE u N EW Y ORK, N EW Y ORK 10028 77111_Met_burma 4/18/11 3:43 PM Page 2

u G OLDEN S TUPAS, A NCIENT T EMPLES u The Treasures of Burma

January 11 to 24, 2012

______u ______

BANGKOK u YANGON, BURMA Friday, January 13

Following a leisurely morning, depart on an afternoon flight to Yangon, Burma’s largest city. An orientation tour will introduce us to major landmarks, including the City Hall and other impressive colonial-era buildings. Check in at the deluxe Strand Hotel, situated on the banks of the Yangon River. This landmark Victorian-style hotel opened in 1901 and has recently been restored to its former glory. Dinner is at the hotel’s Strand Grill. Photo © Alan Tobey

Fruits and flowers at market, Yangon.

NEW YORK Wednesday, January 11

Depart from New York on an afternoon flight to Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure Bangkok, with a connection in Hong Kong.

BANGKOK, THAILAND Thursday, January 12

Arrive in Bangkok in the late evening and transfer to the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, where rooms are reserved for the night. Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure

Young monks awaiting lunch at a monastery in Mandalay.

YANGON Saturday, January 14

Begin today at the colorful Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, with its colossal reclining Buddha. Continue to the , said to have been built 2,000 years ago to house a single strand of the Buddha’s hair. After lunch see the , a gleaming golden stupa that dominates the city from its hilltop location. The

Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure scene of prayers and offerings, the pagoda is the spiritual Golden Buddhas, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon. heart of Yangon. The evening is at leisure.

u G OLDEN S TUPAS, A NCIENT T EMPLES u uuu

YANGON u MANDALAY, BURMA order of our visits will depend on local conditions but Sunday, January 15 will include the market of Nyaung Oo, lacquerware workshops, the , and Shwezegon Fly to Mandalay, a showcase of 19th-century . Lunch is at a local restaurant. At sunset, look art and architecture and capital of Burma from 1860 out over the Irrawaddy from Bu Paya before returning to 1885. Arrive at the Sedona Hotel, well located in the to the hotel for dinner. heart of the city. After lunch, visit , BAGAN with Buddhist scriptures inscribed in large marble slabs. Wednesday, January 18 See the nearby , also called the Golden Palace Monastery, a grand example of local Drive to Mount Popa, known as Burma’s Mount Olympus, teak architecture featuring intricate carvings of to discover Popa Taungkalat. This tower-like volcanic plug Buddhist myths. Stop to browse traditional crafts before houses a picturesque complex of monasteries and pagodas concluding the afternoon at the meandering U Bein that can be reached by climbing a winding staircase of Bridge. Enjoy a private sampan cruise at sunset before 777 steps. We will also see the shrines devoted to the dinner at the hotel. mythical Nat spirits. After lunch, return to Bagan. A sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River is planned prior to dinner at the hotel. BAGAN Thursday, January 19

You may wish to rise early today for an optional hot air balloon ride over the city. This morning observe artisans creating the lacquerware for which Bagan is famous. Following lunch, a pony cart tour includes a stop at the 13th-century temple of Tayok Pye. Dine tonight with the backdrop of temple ruins and enjoy traditional

Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure music and dance. U Bein Bridge, Mandalay. BAGAN u INLE LAKE, BURMA Friday, January 20 MANDALAY u BAGAN, BURMA Monday, January 16 Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Heho. Continue to Nyaung Shwe to meet the long-tailed boat Begin the morning at the Mahamuni Pagoda and view the for a cruise on Inle Lake, famous for its scenic beauty, sacred Buddha figure and some of the most important with floating villages and gardens. Disembark at the 12th-century Khmer bronze statues in existence. Then Inle Princess Resort, our home for the next two nights. experience one of the three holiest sites in Burma at the Dinner at the hotel this evening features a performance Royal Palace (Glass Palace) with an enormous bronze of traditional Shan Dance. Buddha image covered by thick layers of gold. A visit will be made to a workshop where 24-karat gold is Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure transformed into thin sheets of gold leaf by traditional methods. Depart on an early evening flight for Bagan and continue to the Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel, where we will stay in bungalows set in a subtropical garden on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. BAGAN Tuesday, January 17

Bagan, known as the “City of Pagodas,” is considered one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. The next three days are devoted to seeing some of the most impressive of Bagan’s 1,000 remaining temples and monasteries built in the 10th and 11th centuries. The Reclining Buddha, Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, Yangon.

u T HE T REASURES OF B URMA u uuu

INLE LAKE Saturday, January 21

Spend the day exploring the Inle Lake area by boat, including a village site dating from the 16th century, whose Shan-style stupas were first revealed in 2000. After lunch, visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the area’s most revered religious site, with five small images of Lord Buddha covered with gold leaf. Return to our boat / A and cruise past floating gardens en route to the hotel. P

INLE LAKE u YANGON Sunday, January 22

This morning transfer to the airport for the flight back to Yangon, arriving at the Strand Hotel in time for lunch. Afternoon touring includes the lively Bogyoke Aung San Market, offering everything from straw baskets and handicrafts to silk and rubies. Then enjoy a private concert focused on Burmese musical traditions. This evening celebrate a memorable trip at a festive farewell dinner. Photo © bart acke YANGON u BANGKOK Buddhist temple on Inle Lake. Monday, January 23 BANGKOK u NEW YORK The morning is at leisure. Following lunch, transfer to Tuesday, January 24 the airport for the late afternoon flight to Bangkok, where overnight rooms are arranged at the Novotel Depart on a morning flight to New York via Hong Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. Kong. Arrive at New York’s JFK Airport in the evening.

T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT

The Treasures of Burma u January 11 to 24, 2012 RESERVATION APPLICATION

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of OPTIONAL BANGKOK PRELUDE $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative p I/We wish to join the optional Bangkok prelude ($1,425 per person; fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the single supplement $675). Americas, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018-3721. FORM OF PAYMENT ______p Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad) Names in Full as on Passports. Please Print. p Credit card (may be used for deposit only)

______Name on Credit Card

______Address ______Credit Card Number

______City State Zip 3- or 4-Digit Security Code Expiration Date

______Telephone (Home) (Business) Each participant must sign below. 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. Fax E-mail ______ACCOMMODATIONS Signature (Required) Date I wish to share a room with ______p Double p Twin p Single (at a supplement of $1,295) Signature (Required) Date

For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 u Fax: 212-344-7493 u E-mail: [email protected] u Web: www.metmuseum.org/travel u T ERMS & C ONDITIONS u AIRFARE Academic Arrangements Abroad (AAA) will be pleased to assist with air travel arrangements. A specially negotiated APEX Economy Class non-refundable group airfare will be offered. Business Class will be quoted on an individual basis. A fee of $75 per person will be charged for any reservations other than the group flight schedule; private transfers can be arranged at a supplemental cost. To redeem your frequent flyer mileage, please contact the airline directly. Please note that AAA can assist with rebooking flights only on air reservations booked directly with AAA. 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 All participants must be in good health. This program involves extensive walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs at monuments and other locations not handicapped accessible. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time of your reservation. 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 at 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 subcon- tractor 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, Photo © bart acke 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; communica- tion 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 non-refundable 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 and 91 days prior to departure, 20 percent of the program cost per person; those received between 90 and 61 days before 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 penal- ties 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 © 2011 Arrangements Abroad, Inc. CST 2059789-40

On the front cover: Seated Buddha. Asian Art. Burma, late 11th century. Bronze, inlaid with silver and copper. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving and The Vincent Astor Foundation Gifts, 2003. (2003.295a). On the back cover: Plaque with Scenes from the Life of the Buddha. Asian Art. India or Burma, 12th century. Mudstone. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Anonymous Gift, 1982 (1982.223). (top); Stupas and Payas, Bagan, photo © Jeremy Edwards (bottom). 77111_Met_burma 4/18/11 3:43 PM Page 1

Sculpture at golden pagoda, Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok.

OPTIONAL BANGKOK PRELUDE January 9 to 13, 2012 Discover Bangkok, Thailand’s mesmerizing capital, where soaring skyscrapers mix with colorful temples and shrines. Drive to Suan Pakkad Palace, a complex of traditional Thai houses with charming gardens, before boarding a private boat for a visit to the Royal Barge Museum. At the National Museum, among the best in Southeast Asia, view the fine collection of bronzes and sculptures from the Sukhothai period. Admire the intricate craftsmanship and dazzling architecture of the Grand Palace, residence of the kings of the Chakri Dynasty. In the religious complex of Wat Phra Kaeo, see the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred image for Buddhists in Thailand. Accommodations for three nights are at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel, overlooking the Chao Phraya River, the lively artery of old Bangkok. u

PROGRAM RATE PER PERSON $9,375 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,295

RATE INCLUDES

u Twelve nights hotel accommodations, as per itinerary u Buffet breakfast daily, ten lunches, and eight dinners; bottled water, local beer / soft drinks, coffee / tea with meals. Wine at welcome and farewell dinners u Airport / hotel group transfers u Internal airfare: Bangkok / Yangon / Mandalay / Bagan / Heho / Yangon / Bangkok u Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees u Gratuities to guides and drivers u Enrichment program of lectures by Olivier Bernier u Taxes, service, and porterage fees for one suitcase

NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport and visa fees; alcoholic beverages other than wine at welcome and farewell dinners and local beer; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase; transfers for those not on group flights; optional Bangkok prelude; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

OPTIONAL BANGKOK PRELUDE $1,425 per person. Single supplement $675. Includes three nights at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok; breakfast daily and one dinner; excursions as per itinerary.

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