THE CHINDWIN: 7 NIGHTS

Back home now and I write immediately to congratulate you enormously on the calibre of the crew on Zawgyi last week. Happy and efficient. We have used ships of many companies in many places and never have we been so well looked after. The staff got to know our names and preferences on the first day - it felt like the Ritz - and were unfailingly courteous, attentive and pleasant. Great food. And special praise for our extrovert and personable guide, Patrick, who clicked with crew, passengers and villagers alike, getting the best out of everybody. For example, we gate-crashed a village wedding….and he very smoothly turned away their pressing invitation to sit down to a meal with them! And the crew gave a really great beach bbq party with a totally fun atmosphere - not the forced thing lesser companies do and which gets a groan from people of our age.

But what I would really like you to know - events at a settlement of river gypsies - Kyar Inn in Mawlaik township. They had not been visited before. My doctor wife noticed a 2yr old boy with hare lip, eminently operable. 24 hours later your people had arranged for him to be operated on in Sagaing next month, having found a specialist clinic, worked out accommodation and transport and discussed it with the mother - a most impressive feat of organisation by, I think, Patrick and the purser, Tun Tun Lin. We passengers were delighted to underwrite the cost, some $350 - and thanks to email we can look forward to hearing how it works out. And if that's not enough, the 4-strong Swiss group gave money to replace a family’s hut which had been burnt down by an aggrieved father [we think….. ].

The downside to cruising with Pandaw is feeling guilty! - living in comfort surrounded by poverty [even if the Burmese don’t look put out by it] - it is great to get close and be able to do something worthwhile.

With great good wishes and congratulations on your achievements in setting up a most enjoyable and innovative company,
David and Janet Knowles