Burma, renamed Myanmar by the military junta, is an extraordinary country. It is a land where the ruins of ancient and glorious kingdoms stand stark and impressive and where cities and towns retain their ambience and charm. Its artistic heritage is vast and deep. Neighboring Laos is a tiny, undiscovered gem of a country whose refined and elegant culture offers a tapestry of unparalleled beauty. Join Julian Brown, currently a researcher at the School of African and Oriental Studies in London, on a journey through Burma and Laos, which has been designed to unravel these two countries’ unique histories.
Discover the remains of powerful kingdoms, admire stunning landscapes, walk through little known archaeological sites, explore fascinating Buddhist caves and gain insight into the political backgrounds of these two fragile societies. Begin the trip in Yangon which was built by a people who refused to compromise with the East. Here the wide straight boulevards and majestic Victorian facades speak eloquently of the past. The heart and soul of the city is the Shwedagon Pagoda which rises glistening with gold, dominating the whole city. Travel deep into rural Myanmar and spend two nights at Inle Lake, home of the resourceful Intha people who cultivate vegetables in floating gardens. They live in wooden houses on stilts dotting the lake shores and the fishermen here paddle their slender boats with one leg wrapped around an oar while standing still on the other leg. Roam through the archaeological site of Indien where brick pagodas loom tall over the lake below.
In Mandalay explore a city of many characters with an evocative past. Stop at Sagaing, a cluster of stupas and monasteries nestled in the green hills along the western bank of the Irrrawaddy River. Continue on to Pagan, the ancient capital of the country and once a vast and populous kingdom. Marvel at the sight of thousands of pagodas of all sizes and artistic styles representing two centuries accumulation of masterpieces. They tower aloof and mysterious and offer a testament to the greatness of their kings. Fly through Bangkok to Laos and its capital city, Vientiane, located on the banks of the Mekong River. In this bustling town, stop at Wat Phra Keo and Wat Sisket, now museums of religious art.
Further north lies Luang Prabang, cradled in the folds of the high, forested mountains of northern Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city is a treasure trove of the nation’s greatest artistic achievements including Wat Xiang Thong which is entered through a carved doorway of ancient legends and dancing animals. Inside gold-stenciled wooden pillars support a ceiling decorated with dharma wheels. Travel by boat along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves, two grottoes venerated as Buddhist shrines. The first cave is set in a limestone cliff and its interior is stacked with hundreds of ancient Buddhist statues, sacred images peering out upon the river. For dawn risers the reward is the sight of saffron-robed monks on early morning alms rounds, their soft-barefoot padding setting the pace of daily life. Return home from Bangkok.
Group size is limited to 15 travelers.
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