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Maymar (Burma) a board the intimate Orient Express Road to Mandalay River Cruise

Voted by The New York Times as "One of the top places to go in 2012" for 'renowned cultural treasures, world-class boutique hotels and deserted beaches … Myanmar has long been high on intrepid travelers' wish lists'

A unique opportunity to experience the sights, scents and sounds of Burma in Orient Express style and luxury

Preliminary day-by-day itinerary:

Dec. 22, Saturday - Fly this evening from the West Coast to Rangoon, Maymar crossing the International Dateline and arriving December 24.

Dec. 24, Monday - Rangoon - An exceptional opportunity to explore mostly-unknown sights in this colorful, mysterious and endlessly fascinating city. Discover the traditional way in which the 5.4 million people of Yangon - Burma's major economic centre - work, worship and pursue their daily lives.

We will be transferred to the Orient Express Governor's Residence Hotel a romantic, colonial-style mansion dating from the 1920s, The Governor's Residence is redolent of the days when it was home to the ruler of Burma's southern states. http://www.governorsresidence.com/web/pyan/governors_residence.jsp

With its fan-cooled verandas and teak armchairs, this delightful Orient-Express hotel in the elegant Embassy Quarter of Yangon (formerly Rangoon), conjures up a bygone era while offering every modern pleasure. Set in a verdant garden dotted with lotus pools, the hotel is truly magical at the end of a day spent visiting the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda. Dinner is served alfresco in the balmy evening air by lantern-light, as tropical fragrances scent the breeze.

Dec. 25, Tuesday - Rangoon - We begin our visit with the key sights of Yangon's city centre with its magical colonial buildings, including the Sule Pagoda which dominates the downtown area and is said to enshrine a hair of Buddha in a golden cask. Your guide will accompany you on a short walk by Kandawgyi lake, the perfect place to take pictures of the Shwedagon pagoda. End your day by enjoying the sunset at Yangon's spectacular Buddhist centerpiece, the Shwedagon Pagoda. Dinner at leisure either at your hotel or in one of the many restaurants in Yangon.

Dec. 26, Wednesday – Rangoon/Mandalay After breakfast at the hotel we will be transferred to Yangon's international airport for your domestic flight to the Royal City of Mandalay. On arrival transfer to the Road to Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to our ship stopping enroute to admire the sunset over the river. Dinner and local entertainment on board.

http://www.orient-express.com/web/rtm/the_ship.jsp

The atmosphere on board the Orient Express Road to Mandalay is relaxed. Aboard this graceful river cruiser the emphasis rests on traditional comfort combined with delightful luxury. The spacious cabins are fully air-conditioned and furnished with the most beautiful fabrics, finest linens and softest towels. Five cabin sizes and categories are available on the Road To Mandalay, all of which feature a small personal safe, telephone, satellite television, bathroom and shower amenities. For dinner, at the time and table of your preference, dress is smart casual with cocktail dress for ladies and open-neck shirt and jacket for men. Fares include all meals, soft drinks, local beer, bottled water, and shore excursions as noted in the itinerary.

Dec. 27, Thursday - Shanlay - After an early breakfast visit Shanlay village for a walking tour. This traditional Burmese village gives you the opportunity to discover the Burmese way of life first hand - from farming and schools to spirit houses and tea-shops. The ship gets underway mid morning and begins its journey south. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on board observing the fascinating local river life from the top deck. An on-board guide lectures on the Myanmar way of life. Dinner on board in the evening.

Dec. 28, Friday - Bagan - The ship arrives at Bagan where over 2,000 temples and pagodas are scattered over an awe-inspiring plain beside the river. A guided orientation tour introduces you to the most important temples. After lunch you may rejoin the guide to visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this fascinating area on your own. Late afternoon the guide takes you to watch the sun setting over a field of glowing pagodas by the river. Dinner and local entertainment in the evening.

Dec. 29, Saturday - Mount Popa - A full day excursion to Mount Popa, a national park and believed to be the sacred home of powerful ‘Nats' (spirits). On top of a rocky crag is a picturesque complex of monasteries, pagodas and shrines which can be reached via a winding, covered walkway. Lunch is taken at the Mount Popa Resort. Dinner and local entertainment on board.

Dec. 30, Sunday - Bagan - After breakfast join the guide to explore some of Bagan's local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, longis and rattan goods. See Myanmar's famous lacquerware being made. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this enchanting area on your own. Mid-morning, the ship sets sail for Mandalay. On board the guide lectures on the Ayeyarwady River. The ship anchors mid-river for the evening providing a marvellous opportunity to observe the stars. A casual cocktail party is followed by dinner.

Dec. 31, Monday – Sagaing - Continue sailing up the river until Road To Mandalay arrives at the little Burmese village of Shwe Kyet Yet in the early afternoon. After lunch enjoy an excursion to Sagaing considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. Tonight, we welcome the New Year aboard our beautiful vessel featuring special and unique celebrations.

Jan. 1, Tuesday - Maymyo - Visit Maymyo, a colonial hill station set high in the mountains. Soak up the atmosphere with its cool climate, English style houses, colourful market and beautiful botanic gardens. A typical Shan lunch is taken at a restaurant in a colonial house. Return to the ship for a farewell dinner on board.

Jan. 2, Wednesday – Mandalay/Rangoon - After breakfast, you are transferred to Mandalay's airport for your onward flight to Yangon to connect to the USA, arriving that same evening. Extensions are available in Thailand, Singapore, Bali, or Ngapali Beach, Mandalay.

Please vote to Jose and Lance at SeasideJourneys@earthlink.net

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