We have received your e-mail message which brings back our fondest memories of your wonderful country Myanmar, and we are happy to give you a short report of how we have experienced the traveling in your country.

With our lovely guide, who awaited us at airport of Yangon, we soon found out, that we are in the of best hands. Tired after a long flight, we were taken to a beautiful and quiet hotel for a rest. Our guide picked us up again towards the evening to visit the impressive Shwegadon Pagoda which was overwhelming to be seen in the sunset and will remain unforgettable in our memories. After our return to the hotel, we got the unexpected surprise to be picked up by friends of our friends in Switzerland. People we had never met before and they welcomed us so heartily and took us out for dinner. So our visit in Myanmar started with highlights! Yangon was worthwhile seeing with all Pagodas, temples, markets and quaint places.

It was wonderful to always have our English speaking, lovely guide with us who could give explanations about the history, buddhism and culture. The different drivers we had during our stay did not speak English but offered their safest driving. When we arrived in Heho, we could enjoy the peaceful countryside during our drive to Inle Lake. Inle Lake! It's a must! Being driven around the Lake was a real pleasure and visiting all the handicraft workshops placed along the shores. A real highlight. No hectic seemed to be present, just stillness and welcoming people wherever we went.

Pindaya was another wonderful place with the huge caves and over 8'000 Buddha statues being inside. Being so lucky to be in there all alone without chatting groups of people around, we could virtually feel the holyness of the place.

Another highlight of course, was Bagan. Temples, Pagodas and Stupas to be seen as far as the eyes could see. Sunsets over the Ayeyarwady River of an unseen beauty and again it seemed, that we had entered another world. The lacquerware industry in Bagan was a real experience and artistic work of the people much admired.

The boat trip on the Ayeyarwady River to Pakokku was relaxing and wonderful to see the rice fields beautiful palmtrees and other colourful plants along the shoreline. On the way to Monywa by car we could visit many quaint places, monastaries and enjoyed the peaceful countryside and again we could admire the handicraft people-Silverware and pottery.

Also Mandalay was wonderful to visit with the old Palace, the different monastaries and the famous weaving, tapistry and marble carving places. Very interesting to visit was the monastary in Amarapura and the nearby very old U Bein bridge.

Mingun with its overwhelming, unfinished Pagoda was very impressive. And everywhere there were friendly people, smiling and welcoming us. There would be much more to be said but certainly all the visitors will find out for themselves.

To finish our holiday at the unspoiled and quiet Thandoway Beach helped us to digest all the beauty and kindness we have been given in wonderful Myanmar and we sincerely hope to be able to go back there one day and wish that the country will keep its special charme.

Monika & Kellard Arber,
Switzerland