Burma with Escapes Unlimited

If you want to experience a country that is still off the beaten path, I suggest Burma. My wife, Jane, and I were there for two weeks, Dec. 21, ’02-Jan. 5, ’03, with Escapes Unlimited (2012 Lerner Lane, Santa Ana, CA 92705; phone 800/243-7227, e-mail info@escapesltd.com or visit www.escapesltd.com). The cost from Savannah, Georgia, was $3,240 including excellent hotels, almost all meals, visa fees and bottled water.

The thing I like about Escapes Unlimited is that their tours have a humanitarian element. Roe, who arranged our guided tour, had sort of “adopted” a school in Burma to which we took lots of supplies, including pens, pencils, crayons, paper and other materials not supplied by the government.

Although Roe did not accompany this tour, she had put together a fantastic itinerary. We visited countless Buddhist temples, monasteries and local markets and had personal visits with Buddhist monks and nuns. One time we stopped to see an initiation ceremony of young monks and of girls getting their ears pierced; they paraded in regal outfits on horses.

Our guide, Willie, was the best guide we have ever had in our 15 tours. He was kind, compassionate, knowledgeable and incredibly organized and efficient. Even with several unscheduled stops, he had everything timed perfectly.

The itinerary was designed in such a way that we saw a lot without being exhausted. Into almost every day’s schedule, Roe had built breaks that allowed people to rest or do their own activities. The group was especially appreciative of having an entire free afternoon to rent bicycles in Bagan, a world-renowned site of 2,200 temples. A bicycle was a wonderful way to see a great deal there in a few hours.

Our free afternoon in Bagan allowed us an encounter with the delightful children AA and Moo-Moo. I had promised AA two days earlier that I would buy something from her. Of course, she remembered me immediately when I returned and introduced her to my wife. Although we bought something rather insignificant, AA was so touched that she gave my wife a bracelet as a “thank you.”

AA is 15 and had gone to school for seven years but had to quit to help her impoverished family by selling souvenirs. Moo-Moo is six and sells postcards. She was just as delightful. I hope she gets a chance for at least some schooling. We will never forget these children.

We also were touched by the honesty and kindness of the Burmese people. At a busy market, I dropped about $25 from my money belt. One of the souvenir saleswomen ran after me to tell me that I had dropped my money. I did buy a mask from her for $8. It was a wonderful encounter for both of us.

My wife and I still talk about Burma almost every day. If you go, you will surely remember it for a lifetime.

KEVIN O’BRIEN
Tybee Island, GA