Travel

Falling in love with Myanmar :

Hidden beauty of the world

Story and Pictures Ganga Illeperuma in Myanmar - Yangon

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is the Land of Human Origin. It is also recognised as the Golden Land. Compared with other countries Myanmar is not a tourists destination per se but has many magnificent and exciting excursions in all part of the country.

There is an upsurge in Sri Lankans visiting countries such as Bangkok, Singapore, Maldives and Malaysia to spend holidays but rarely does anyone visit Myanmar. Tourists visit the country because the people of Myanmar and the environment are warm and hospitable. In fact the people seem to have similar taste in food as the Sri Lankans. There are a few agencies that promote tourism in the region.

M/s Travelon Ltd celebrated their 12th consecutive tour to Myanmar from 20-30 August 2009. The 11-day tour covered over 35 excursions such as Yangon Shwedagon, Bagan Monywa, Mandale, Mahamuni, Mahagandayone, Mingun, Pindaya Cave, Inle Lake and the geographical miracle Kaihityo (Golden Rock) with 4 domestic flights to covered the vast country. Through these serials of Myanmar the beauty of this hidden land could be illustrated.

People with a basic knowledge of the culture and custom of Myanmar will find it easy to live with its citizens and leave in the same fashion. Though Myanmar social customs are quite flexible, the ground rules are important for convivial inter change.

Myanmar has a tropical climate with three general seasons, the rainy season, the cool season and the hot season. The rainy season is from mid-May to mid-October; the cool season from mid-October to mid-February to and the hot season from mid-February to mid-May before the rains begin. The best time to visit Myanmar is from mid-October to mid-May during open season.

The country is a union of 135 ethnic groups with their own languages and dialects. The major races are the Kachin, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Chin, the Mon, the Bamar, the Rakhine, and the Shan. The name Myanmar embraces all the ethnic groups.

Architecture and arts

It is the architecture that one sees as the strongest evidence of Burmese artistic skills and craftsmanship. Burmese buildings take two basic forms - pagodas and temples. Traditionally only the latter have been made of permanent materials; monasteries and all secular buildings were, until recently, constructed of wood, and thus, only few non-religious buildings of former times remain to be visited.

Pagodas are found almost everywhere in the country in big numbers. All pagodas, however, have in common a bell-shaped structure, which in later centuries was erected on top of a foundation. Temples are constructed mainly to house images of the Buddha. The walls are often decorated with beautiful paintings depicting episodes from the lives of the Buddha.

The group of Travelon (consisted ten people) reached Bangkok by Thai Air Ways and from Bangkok to Myanmar it has taken only one hour. First we stayed at Yangon which is the capital city of Myanmar.

The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda

The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is famous for its huge image of Reclining Buddha, built in 1954 replacing the old image built in 1907. But it was suffered damage due to climate over the years. It measures 72 meters and is housed in an iron structure with corrugated iron sheets roof of six layers.

Hence it is generally referred to as the six-tiered pagodas. The heavy cost of this construction was entirely donated by the people. The decorated soles of the Buddha represents three worlds which were printed on the Buddha’s feet since he was born. It means the Buddha is greater than the three worlds and he definitely would attain enlightenment. There are 108 features in this Buddha image feet.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda is the most popular and well-known pagoda in Yangon and is the most notable building in this city. This pagoda is one of the main tourist destinations in Myanmar. The Shwedagon Pagoda is a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument that crowns a hill about one mile north of the Cantonment.

The pagoda itself is a solid brick stupa (Buddhist reliquary) that is completely covered with gold. It rises 326 feet (99 m) on a hill 168 feet (51 m) above the city. There are 4 entrances leading into the base of this Shwedagon Pagoda and we entered from the Southern entrance.

At the entrance to this pagoda there is a bo tree which is the branch of Buddhagaya.

According to history hair relics of the Buddha is enshrined in this pagoda which was given by Thapassu, Balluka, said Nway U Khine who was the Myanmar Tourist Guide accompanying us.

Sule Pagoda

Sule Pagoda is located in Yangon, at the junction of Sule Pagoda Road and Mahabandoola Road, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. The Sule Pagoda is an excellent landmark. It is said to be over 2,000 years old. The pagoda is said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha: its Mon name, Kyaik Athok translates as “the pagoda where a Sacred Hair Relic is enshrined”.

Maha Wizaya Pagoda

It was built in 1980. This pagoda was decorated as astrological structure because the people who live here strongly believe the astrology. Inside of this pagoda the ceiling has different signs of astrology.

Sigiriya Village

Designed to replicate a typical native village

Sigiriya is most commonly known for its rock fortress structure, once Kingdom to Kashyapa seen by some as a God King and by others as tyrant who gruesomely murdered his father. Whatever the truth, Sigiriya to date holds its mysteries for archaeologists to decipher from the many remnants of the past glory.

Sigiriya Village remains a rural outback, despite its significance to travellers who have been visiting this ancient site for decades in their scores. A great eco-themed hotel, Sigiriya Village Hotel is just minutes from the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress and set amongst acres of vibrant rain forest. Designed to replicate a typical native village, individual cottages are grouped in clusters and located in secluded landscaped gardens.

The cottages have nature-inspired decor and comfortable furniture, including on the spacious terraces. Families can enjoy the separate garden play area and kid friendly pool where families of monkeys hover on the tree tops. A lively central restaurant serves delicious regional dishes and provides nightly entertainment from local dance and music troupes.

Sigiriya Village Hotel is an exclusive jungle retreat located in the vicinity of the Sigiriya Rock, in the heartland of this Cultural Triangle, where you can enjoy the glory of an ancient culture, the nature around you in right royal comfort.

Tucked within the Cultural Triangle is Sigiriya Village – a beautiful hotel situated against the backdrop of the awe inspiring Sigiriya Rock. The hotel is spread over a large area of 26 acres - with chalet style accommodation that blends unobtrusively with the natural environment.

Sigiriya Village is a staple hotel of the cultural triangle, offering comfortable mid-range accommodation in a charming rustic setting. Pathways along lotus-filled ponds connect each of the clusters with the main central area where dining facilities are located.

Sigiriya Village has 120 rooms, individually designed earth-toned cottages and with a private verandah. The cottages are arranged in six clusters, with a unique Sri Lankan theme and vibrant interiors.

The cottages are equipped with modern amenities and are designed in a manner to ensure optimum comfort. Clusters of cottages are named and decorated with reference to rural life. The interiors of the King Fisher cluster are highlighted in hues of blue, the Paddy cluster in shades of green, the Temple cluster in yellows and white, and the Avurudhu cluster in reds, oranges and greens. The King Arbor cluster is secluded and provides for more privacy.

Meals are served at the main dining area overlooking the swimming pool and the magnificent Sigiriya rock which looms over the treetops. Traditional Sri Lanka rice and curry is a specialty there. “Sigiriya Village takes pride in their ability to offer guests their own home grown fruit and vegetables.

The Ayurvedic Centre, headed by an experienced Ayurvedic therapists and most of the herbal oils, scrubs, and wraps used for the therapies are prepared using herbs from the hotel’s own garden” said Shiran Gunawardena Marketing Manager of Sigiriya Village Hotel.

- GP

Jetwing brings the classics to Negombo

The Classic Car Club of Ceylon along have organized a fun rally in Negombo for its members and their families. Jetwing Blue Oceanic will play host to them. The convergence of these magnificent cars during the weekend of 12th September 2009 would pep up and spice up the streets in Negombo which is gearing for a series of happening weekends with an array of mouth watering initiatives organized by Jetwing Hotels.

The drive up to Negombo from Colombo on Friday, 12th September will involve questionnaire stops for the car owners to educate them on the highlights and attractions en route to Negombo; the organizers believe that this will also help drivers travel at a moderate speed. Over forty fabulous cars have signed up for the Classic Car Rally which will start from the Arpico car park adjoining Jetwing Blue Oceanic in Negombo around 9am on Saturday, 13th September. Each car will set off at one minute intervals.

The Classic Cars Club has been in existence in Sri Lanka for almost seventeen years, with a membership population of almost close upon three hundred and over eight hundred sensational cars.

Some of these vehicles have been displayed at the BMICH during the motor shows and also at other special motor show events. Normally hordes of motor enthusiasts and car lovers flock to see these unique vehicles as they get the opportunity to photograph and see them at close quarters.

The Jetwing Hotels in Negombo, consisting of Jetwing Beach, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions, which is a specialist Ayurveda resort, and Jetwing Seashells, a small unique property right on the beach, will team up with Jetwing Blue Oceanic to host the Classic Car Club members for the weekend.

The members will have the delight of watching the Compaq Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and India at a special deck on the beach with giant screens along the Jetwing Blue Oceanic stretch. In light of the happenings in Negombo, Jetwing Seashells have organized a special seafood BBQ night on the beach with musical entertainment, which will be open to all on Saturday 12th September, upon prior reservation.

Motor lovers can visit the Arpico car park alongside Jetwing Blue Oceanic for a souvenir photograph with these amazing vehicles.