Follow us on NEWSLETTER FAR HORIZONS ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL TRIPS Volume 18, Number 2 • Fall 2013 Published Erratically by Far Horizons • P.O. Box 2546 • San Anselmo, CA 94979 USA (800) 552-4575 • (415) 482-8400 • fax (415) 482-8495 • www.farhorizons.com • email:
[email protected] Dear Travelers, FEATURED As the August moon waxes in the Buddhist month of Esala, the Perahera, JOURNEYS the largest and most colorful festival in Asia, takes over the medieval royal city Burma (Myanmar) of Kandy in Sri Lanka. For a week, the processions include fire jugglers swinging December 1 - 19, 2014 flaming torches, lively acrobats, a cacoph - Enjoy the Land of the Golden Pagodas in Yangon; ony of percussionists pounding traditional Bagan, where more than two thousand spires rise above drums, almost 5,000 dancers clanging the horizon; ancient Mrauk-U; and the bustling, vibrant finger cymbals, musicians, whip crackers, city of Mandalay. Burma’s prodigious number of temples torch bearers, and as many as 100 wildly is the perfect symbol of a country in which Buddhism adorned elephants (think flashing lights pervades every aspect of life. Along the way, revel in not and velvet, bejeweled garments!) . The just the fascinating history but the hospitality of the tradition dates back to about 300 B.C. and Burmese people, including those in the many villages is intended to invoke the blessings of the around Inle Lake. gods for rain, fertility, successful crops and good health. I was there last month Iran with a group! What a flamboyant and jubilant event…never to be forgotten. April 9 - 25, 2014 And, although there are few tourists to be seen, Sri Lanka has so much more to Embrace the cultural diversity of Iran and follow the offer.