(Until we get the technical bugs worked out, we will post in the blog what we can without pictures. If you want to follow an abbreviated version but with Linda's great photos, friend either Linda or Roger on Facebook.)
We are starting our trip in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma. Anyone who knows
Roger will know that he has been here before, traveling back from Australia with John Delaney in a trip across Asia that began in December 1977. Our original plan, in fact was for both of us to meet up in Rangoon in 1978 and travel the rest of the way home through Asia and Europe, Linda and Roger together once more. But after being separated for a year and a half, Linda was gainfully employed and we had to execute' a plan B: meeting up in Athens and spending three weeks together in Europe. So this has been a nostalgic and amazing repeat for Roger and a new and amazing experience for Linda. And instead of Delaney, this time we have the pleasurable company of Gail Nawrock, former Linda roommate, lifelong friend, and lately our fellow traveler in many a world adventure.
Our itinerary is similar to Roger's first trip, starting and ending in Rangoon (now called Yangon), and visiting the high points of Pagan (now called Bagan) and Mandalay, which due to an obvious oversight on the part of the Myanmartian government, is still called Mandalay.
The trip is a little more upscale than the journey 38 years ago, but not a whole lot. Things have certainly changed since then, but the country is still struggling to cobble together a viable tourist infrastructure. The government has stabilized since last month's elections, ushering in the first non-military government since 1962.
So having been frozen for over half a century, Myanmar is beginning to thaw out. It is still basically unchanged. The people are incredibly friendly and the sights,the food and the culture still have an off-the-beaten track feel. But it will not last. Myanmar is about to be Globalized. The government now allows 28-day visas (instead of Roger and John's seven-day whirlwind). The tour companies have discovered it, and for many very good reasons the tourist industry here is poised to explode. If you want to see Myanmar before it learns to hustle tourists, make your plans NOW.
We are starting our trip in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma. Anyone who knows
Roger will know that he has been here before, traveling back from Australia with John Delaney in a trip across Asia that began in December 1977. Our original plan, in fact was for both of us to meet up in Rangoon in 1978 and travel the rest of the way home through Asia and Europe, Linda and Roger together once more. But after being separated for a year and a half, Linda was gainfully employed and we had to execute' a plan B: meeting up in Athens and spending three weeks together in Europe. So this has been a nostalgic and amazing repeat for Roger and a new and amazing experience for Linda. And instead of Delaney, this time we have the pleasurable company of Gail Nawrock, former Linda roommate, lifelong friend, and lately our fellow traveler in many a world adventure.
Our itinerary is similar to Roger's first trip, starting and ending in Rangoon (now called Yangon), and visiting the high points of Pagan (now called Bagan) and Mandalay, which due to an obvious oversight on the part of the Myanmartian government, is still called Mandalay.
The trip is a little more upscale than the journey 38 years ago, but not a whole lot. Things have certainly changed since then, but the country is still struggling to cobble together a viable tourist infrastructure. The government has stabilized since last month's elections, ushering in the first non-military government since 1962.
So having been frozen for over half a century, Myanmar is beginning to thaw out. It is still basically unchanged. The people are incredibly friendly and the sights,the food and the culture still have an off-the-beaten track feel. But it will not last. Myanmar is about to be Globalized. The government now allows 28-day visas (instead of Roger and John's seven-day whirlwind). The tour companies have discovered it, and for many very good reasons the tourist industry here is poised to explode. If you want to see Myanmar before it learns to hustle tourists, make your plans NOW.
