The Pandaw Quiz
Thank you to everyone that took part in our Pandaw Quiz and we hope that it provided a brief virtual escape to Asia and memories of your previous Pandaw expeditions. Of the entries that answered all 11 questions correctly we have randomly chosen 3 as the winners of Pandaw travel vouchers for use on a future expedition. The lucky winners are:
- 1st Prize USD 300 Voucher: Heidrun Weiler, Germany
- 2nd Prize USD 200 Voucher: Graham Pardoe, Canada
- 3rd Prize USD 100 Voucher: Kaye Seamer, United Kingdom
We look forward to welcoming you all back aboard very shortly, Asia awaits!
ANSWERS
1. What is the capital city of Burma?
The correct answer is Nay Pyi Taw
Nay Pyi Taw is located 320km / 200mi north of Yangon and officially replaced Yangon as the capital in 2005. A planned city, construction of Nay Pyi Taw began in 2002 and was completed by 2012.
2. This small colonial town, visited on Pandaw’s 10-night ‘Pagan and The Upper Irrawaddy’ expedition, is famous for being the setting of George Orwell’s Burmese Days. What is the name of the town?
The correct answer is Katha
The town of Katha, where George Orwell served in the Indian Imperial Police between 1926-27, was the inspiration for the fictional village of Kyauktada in his first novel “Burmese Days.”
3. Which country’s national flag is this?
The correct answer is Laos
The current flag was adopted on December 2, 1975 after the creation of the current socialist state of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The white disk symbolizes the unity of the Lao people, the red stripes stand for the blood shed by the Lao people in their struggle for freedom, and the blue symbolizes the Mekong river which flows through the heart of the country.
4. What is the world’s largest religious monument by land area, measuring 1.626 km²?
The correct answer is Angkor Wat
The temples of Angkor are located near Siem Reap, Cambodia and were built in the 12th century. Angkor Wat, originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, was later transformed into a Buddhist temple and remains one of the ‘must see’ sights of Asia.
5. You’ll see plenty of wildlife on a Brahmaputra river expedition in India, but which animal will you be most likely to encounter during your adventure in the state of Assam?
The correct answer is Rhino
During Pandaw’s Brahmaputra expedition, you will join a jeep safari to Kaziranga National Park, an area of approximately 430 sq kms. This UNESCO World Heritage is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros.
6. On our Upper Mekong expedition, you will visit the notorious Golden Triangle. This region, together with Afghanistan, was one of the world’s largest opium producing areas. Which three countries borders make up the 'Golden Triangle'?
The correct answer is Burma, Thailand, Laos
The 'Golden Triangle', a term coined by a CIA operative, meets at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers.
7. Pandaw’s Classic Mekong itinerary combines the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia. We sail mostly along the mighty Mekong but transition to a major Cambodian river that connects the Mekong to Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. What is the name of this river?
The correct answer is Tonle Sap River
One of the word’s few rivers which changes flow in May and November due water level fluctuation on the Mekong as well as the local monsoon rains.
8. Vietnam’s most famous soup consists of broth, rice noodles and herbs. Usually with the addition of meat. What is it called?
The correct answer is Pho
Pho originated in Northern Vietnam in the early 20th century. It became very popular around the world due to Vietnamese refugees during the Vietnam war.
9. Which ancient Vietnamese city lies at the banks of the Red River, visited during Pandaw’s Red River expedition?
The correct answer is Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city located in the north of the country, is the second largest city after Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Founded 257 BC, this city is often dubbed the ‘Paris of the East’ due to its French influences.
10. In which country is this structure located?
The correct answer is Burma
The U-Bein Bridge spans the Taungthaman Lake in Amarapura near Mandalay in Burma. It is the world’s longest teak wood bridge with a length of 1.2km / 0.75mi.
11. Which city, known as India’s holiest city, is the terminal destination for Pandaw’s upstream Upper Ganges expeditions?
The correct answer is Varanasi
Sat on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is the holiest of the 7 sacred sites in Hinduism. In 528 BC, Buddha is believed to have founded Buddhism in the city when he gave his first sermon in Sarnath.
