EXPLORE BURMA Select Travel Holidays Guide to Burma by River Cruise

EXPLORE BURMA Select Travel Holidays Guide To Burma By River Cruise. BOOK BY PHONE ENQUIRE BY EMAIL VISIT OUR SHOP 01234 326778 [email protected] 24 Mill Street Booking time 0900 - 1730 hrs Let us call you back. Bedford, MK40 3HD Cruise Select 2015 EXPLORE BURMA BY RIVER photography by Staffen Schers Select Travel Group’s owner Rachel, is a keen travel INTRODUCING BURMA enthusiast, with a particular love for travelling to Asia. She The north-western-most country on (Thanlwin) and Sittaung. The magnifi- has been to Burma twice, most mainland southeast Asia, Burma is cent Irrawaddy is Burma’s longest river recently in April/May 2015, five strategically located near major Indian at nearly 1,348miles long, and the Ir- years after her first visit. Using Ocean shipping lanes, and bordered rawaddy valley is home to the majority the pearls of wisdom that she by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and of Burma’s population. has gleaned from her most Thailand. Rich in jade, gems, oil, natural recent trip to Burma, cruising gas and other mineral resources, and Today Burma is comprised of about along the Irrawaddy, we have characterised by central lowlands with 51million people, and 14 states and re- prepared this guide to Burma the Sittaung Valley and Chindwin Val- gions, but early Burmese civilisations by river, from Yangon to ley, Burma is also home to small moun- included the Tibeto-Burman-speaking Mandalay. tain ranges, which divide Burma’s three Pyu in Upper Burma and the Mon in river systems: the Irrawaddy, Salween Lower Burma. The Burmans of the King- 1 Explore Burma By River - 2015 Cruise Select 2015 dom of Nanzhao entered the upper Irrawaddy valley in the 9th century, and by the 1050s the Pagan Empire established itself, with it came the gradual dominance BURMA of the Burmese language and culture, and Theravada Buddhism. However the once-great Pagan Empire fell OR MYANMAR? to Mongol invasions, and in its place several warring states emerged, until the Taungoo Dynasty reunified Officially the ‘Republic of the Union of My- the country in the 16th century, and for a brief period anmar’ since 1989, or simply Myanmar, the the country was the largest empire in the history of country is still referred by many by its for- Southeast Asia. mer colonial name of Burma. It’s still debated heavily, with many political and ethnic opposi- Burma was conquered by British colonial forces and tion groups continuing to use ‘Burma’ as they became part of the British Empire in the 19th centu- refuse to recognise the legitimacy of the ruling ry, following three Anglo-Burmese Wars. All of Burma military government. For some, it’s simply a was officially annexed on 1 January 1886 after the fall case of old habits dying hard. Almost all of the of Burma, and it remained a British colony until inde- towns and cities have two names, which can pendence in 1948. Sadly one of the chief architects be a little confusing! For example, Yangon was of Burmese independence, the political leader Aung formerly Rangoon. San, never saw the independence he had worked so hard for, as he was assassinated in July 1947 by political rivals. For a short period, independent Burma was a dem- ocratic nation until a coup in 1962 established a military dictatorship. For most of the period since independence, Burma has seen rampant ethnic strife, and the United Nations and several other organisations have reported consistent and systematic violations to human rights. However in 2011, following an his- toric election in 2010, the military junta was officially photography by Guillén Pérez dissolved, and the Burmese Military have taken steps towards relinquishing control of the government; Although Burma is a melting pot of different although former military leaders continue to wield ethnicities, with over 100 ethnic groups, the enormous power in the country. That being said, Bur- Burmese represent 68% of the population, ma’s human rights record and foreign relations have hence why many people still say the ‘Burmese’ improved, leading to the easing of trade and other – but, in fact, they could be Burmese, Kachin, economic sanctions. Burma is now a rising star in Kayin, Chin, or Mon to name just a few! tourism. Rachel’s top tip: GO, before it’s too late! Explore Burma By River - 2015 2 Cruise Select 2015 RETURNING TO BURMA Shwedagon Pagoda Rachel Wright’s first visit to Burma was back in March Defile, which is just 65 nautical miles from the Chinese 2010, when Burma was a pariah state and just before border. This itinerary also covered more of the river their 2010 elections. Prior to going, she researched than their previous visit on the Road to Mandalay, as thoroughly and read many books about the lives of well as re-treading their footsteps in some cities. the Burmese and the various tribes. Rachel ensured to find out, as much as possible, how and where to Arriving into Yangon airport, air side was pretty much spend money that would not end up in the Junta’s the same as in 2010. However, Rachel and Bill were coffers. Her visit to Burma with her husband Bill was immediately struck by how very different Burma was very interesting and they promised themselves they land side! Smart taxis have replaced the old, battered would return one day. Celebrating their 25th wedding taxis, and nearly everyone had a mobile phone! Back anniversary this year, Rachel and Bill talked about in 2010, a SIM card would cost $2,500 – in other words, where they should go to mark the occasion: they con- no one could afford to own one. Whilst Rachel had sidered various countries on their ever growing list, read that the Burmese now talk openly about their before ultimately both deciding they wanted to head country and politics, they didn’t believe this until they back to Burma. Rachel and Bill had two main reasons: heard their guide! This is perhaps one of the biggest the first reason was the people, as nowhere else in changes. Nowadays, the guides welcome any ques- the world had they visited a country where the people tions, including political ones; back in 2010, it was were so lovely and genuine. Secondly, they wanted only possible to speak openly in the car with a private to see what changes had been made, especially af- guide and driver – never in the streets! ter the 2010 election and the sanctions being lifted back in 2012. After some research, they settled upon One thing that certainly hasn’t changed is the charm- a 17-night itinerary on Cruiseco Explorer sailing on ing people and their beautiful smiles. the Irrawaddy from Prome in the south to the Second 3 Explore Burma By River - 2015 Cruise Select 2015 WHY BURMA BY RIVER? For those who really want to explore and get im- mersed in Burma, travelling by river is best suited, as opposed to travelling via ferry boat, local buses and planes, which can be quite testing and certainly not reliable. The convenience of only unpacking once, good quality accommodation and, of course, a high standard of food and service will enhance your experience. Cruising along the Irrawaddy allows you to experience ‘untouched’ village and small town life, some of which can only be accessed by river. Having a good knowledgeable guide will enhance your experience and is the best way to learn about the Burmese way of life. Burma is steeped in history and their untouched culture is truly fascinating. All the villages visited by river cruise are like being transported back in time: you will not be bombarded by souvenir sellers, and you will always be greeted with a smile and ‘mingalar-bar’ (hel- lo). The Burmese are caring, gentle and kind people, their way of life has always been to work, survive and Bagan help one another, no matter what the cost. Although Rachel and Bill noticed many changes in Yangon and Mandalay the river villages have remain unchanged… So far. However it is important to note that cruising along the Irrawaddy is not year round due to water levels and the monsoon season; most operators do not op- erate June to August. In the dry season (November to March), the water level will be quite low in places and will have dropped by around 50 feet from its monsoon level (June to September). No matter which river oper- ator you choose to sail with, none of them can control the river water levels, so therefore be prepared for a slight change in itinerary. The cooler months to travel are from November to February, although still hot by UK standards. March onwards gets very hot – whilst Rachel and Bill were there at the end of April, the tem- Sun setting in Bagan perature reached 42 degrees!image Explore Burma By River - 2015 4 Cruise Select 2015 TOP 5 REASONS TO VISIT Visiting Burma via ferry boat, local buses and BURMA 01 planes can be quite testing and less reliable BY River cruise offers the convenience of only un- RIVER: packing once, as well as good quality accommo- 02 dation, and a high standard of food and service Some villages and towns are only accessible by 03 river The knowledgeable guides are the best way to learn about the Burmese way of life, and river cruise operators are able to offer unparalleled 04 and exclusive tours and experiences The views from the river are amazing – from watching the local people going about their daily lives, to the many, many pagodas dotted around 05 on the hills! 5 Explore Burma By River - 2015 Cruise Select 2015 BEFORE YOU GO..

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