THE GOLDEN LAND

Having now been back a week from Myanmar and shared my experiences with friends. I must write to thank you for a truly memorable holiday on RV Pandaw 2.

We were 17 Swiss German, 3 Canadians and 16 British, all mixing happily I shared a cabin with another widow, the first time we had holidayed together and we thoroughly enjoyed the time with so much laid on for our pleasure and comfort. At 80 we hoped we were spry for climbing "steep river banks" as warned and of course nothing could have been easier with all of us, men and women, being passed from hand to hand by the crew.

I have filled in Pandaw's questionnaire and everything was marked excellent.

One of my favourite moments was returning to the boat and being greeted with "Welcome home”, generally by the Purser Aung Aung Oo, who was always overseeing his staff quietly and expertly but his example was followed by the crew in their smiling welcome home too.

The attention to detail was amazing. In the dining room our napkins were folded differently each time, a candle, a rabbit, a soup spoon man and many others. The tables were always laid with cutlery handles in a straight row on the edge of the table and the crest always at the top of the china. The waiters were very attentive and were on hand with other members of the crew around the boat to do things for us before we were aware of our need.

It wasn't difficult to love the Burmese people with their polite quiet ways, their humour, their warmth and kindness. Out and about we appreciated them and being able to converse a little with them.

The expeditions were varied and interesting and my only adverse comment is that Yan our young guide had not learned to wait till all of us were within earshot before he started talking. As a former guide I know one cannot always wait for very slow people , but we all kept up well with a steady walk!

We enjoyed the story of The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company on film and "The Lady" on two nights. The puppets, the dancing and most especially the extraordinary trouble the crew went to on the penultimate night with their taking all the chairs and little tables, music, fire, lights and Chinese lanterns on to the sand and just for an hour before dinner.

The food was delicious, the boat beautifully looked after and we were sad to say goodbye to the staff who had become such friends.

Thank you for a very special experience.

Yours sincerely
Judy Coates