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Myanmar/Burma Feb 2008
Why Visit Burma?
I was in two minds about visiting Burma for the first time, but the way Pam and I were welcomed by the Burmese people made it clear they were glad to see travellers in their country, and they don't get a terrible lot of them.
Burma, or Myanmar as it is known to the locals, is a colourful mixture of festivals, costumes and cultures which blesses every visitor with lingering memories of stunning temples, smiling faces and a wonderfully laid-back way of life.
Myanmar is a union of many nationalities, speaking over one hundred languages and dialects although English is spoken readily throughout. It lies on the crossroads of two of the world's great civilizations – China and India. Its culture is a blend of both interspersed with Myanmar native traits and characteristics.
Its long period of inaccessibility has left Burma relatively untainted by the excesses of modern living, and the country retains an aura of a bygone age. The people’s deep-rooted belief in Buddhism is evident in the many ornate pagodas and temples that dot the country, from the Himalayan foothills to the jungles of the south.
However there is full freedom of worship for followers of other religions. Christian missionaries and churches have been active in Myanmar for over 150 years.
The Burmese language has no word for tourist, just “guest” and its years of isolation have allowed their natural friendliness to survive untarnished.
From the British colonial city of Yangon to the royal city of Mandalay, the thousands of temples of Bagan, (the largest abandoned city in the world, over 1000 years old, now has more than 2300 restored archaeological sites) to the relaxing atmosphere of Inle Lake, where fishermen stand to row their delicate craft amongst lily-dappled water, and 100,000 people live in 17 villages on a mountain lake, any visitor can’t help but be impressed..
Burma is a beautiful land, long sheltered from the western world. Lovely beaches, hidden temples, colourful hill tribes, bustling markets, magnificent archaeological sites and natural scenery make this a destination you will want to return to.
With new private domestic airlines, hotels and transport operators, it is now possible to ensure that tourism directly supports the local people. It is truly unfortunate that general knowledge of Myanmar is limited to the occasional news items highlighting the countries internal political situation.
The positive reasons to travel to Burma outweigh the negative reasons. It is important that residents of Burma have contact with people who are not from their own nation and that earnings from tourism reach the people who can benefit from it directly.
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