Without a doubt, the highlight of my recent trip to Myanmar was the 7 night Mandalay to Pagan cruise on RV Kalaw Pandaw. An unforgettable experience. This cruise was an excellent way to see the highlights of Myanmar and I particularly enjoyed our tours around the many different temples around Pagan with our tour guide, Ko Brian, whose talks both ashore and on board were most interesting and informative.

I was travelling with a friend (mature travellers) and we were given the utmost care and attention by the crew both on board and on shore excursions. The chefs on board provided us with delicious meals (and pastries!) and I thank them for the special celebration cake they made for me during the cruise. The dining staff, Ko Salai Chit Tin and Ko Aung Kyaw Min were most attentive while we were on the upper deck.

All the crew were courteous, kind and helpful on board and when we were ashore during excursions. A particular thank you, however, to Purser, Ko Myo Naing; nothing was too difficult for him to arrange. And to U Naing Naing Win, who took great care of us during our excursions ashore and was always ready with a cool towel at the end of each outing. Please pass on my thanks to all the crew on RV Kalaw Pandaw and I hope to see them again one day on the Ayeyarwady River.

Regards
Jane, Canberra
Australia

This was my second trip with Pandaw and even exceeded my expectations from the first cruise. I escorted a group of 7 and they all loved Pandaw and would like to go on another trip in the future. Nothing could be faulted. The ship is beautiful, the crew cannot do enough to please the passengers, the food is exceptional and the shore excursions so much fun. I am hooked and thinking of bringing another group. See you soon!!!

Dear Mr Strachan,

My wife and I just returned this morning from our fourth Pandaw trip, this time on the Kalay on the Chindwin.

I can recommend this ship highly - and its crew. When saying farewell, I got our guide to translate for me, to tell them that in English we say "small is beautiful", and so was the Kalay. We were particularly impressed by the Purser, U Win Myo, who was a gem; also one particular crew member who was the exact double of the comedian Michael Macintyre, even to the hairstyle and cheeky grin, albeit a trifle more suntanned. All crew were splendid. They paid me the compliment of calling me "Aba" or "Babar".

My wife wondered whether you, or your wife, might be considering producing a Pandaw Cookbook?

Regards,
Tim Tawney

Response from Pandaw

Dear Tim

Many thanks for writing to me about your recent river expedition. I am so glad it went well for you.

I have passed on your good wishes to purser, guide and crew who will much appreciate your praise.

Otherwise, many thanks for coming with us and I hope we will see you again on a Pandaw one day.

Good idea for a cook book!

Please do consider supporting The Pandaw Charity, which is registered in the UK. We are now running 12 clinics with a total of 5,000 treatments a month. We are currently raising funds for a new X ray machine for our central clinic at Pagan. You can donate online at: www.pandawcharity.com.

Unless you have any objections I will post your letter on our Feedback pages so potential travellers can learn from your experiences.

Many thanks for coming with us and I hope we will see you again on a Pandaw one day.

With all regards,
Paul Strachan