Why not make a good use of your holidays and contribute to the local community you are visiting? Located south of the Old City, Baan Kingkaew Orphanage was opened in 1966 through the generous donations of a Thai lady. Volunteering a few hours to help local nannies feed and play with the orphans or just dropping by as part of your city tour, a visit to the BaanKingkaew is a touching and unforgettable opportunity to truly connect with the people of Thailand. Exotissimo Travel Thailand really wants to support this local orphanage and can include a visit in any of the city tours of Chiang Mai without any extra cost for car or guide – simply ask your contact person at Exotissimo to include Baan Kingkaew Orphanage in the itinerary of your clients.

Myanmar has experienced the worst cyclone in over 70 years. The storm hit Yangon, Pathein and the Bago area. Other areas of the country have been unaffected.

Yangon itself was badly damaged. Many trees and telephone poles have fallen, damaging electricity and telephone cables.

It will take time to repair the city.

Currently, the Exotissimo Yangon office has running electricity and working telephones, as do some hotels in Yangon. Mobile phone service has resumed.

Hotels in Yangon are trying to conserve electricity, and are limiting the use of air conditioning. Transportation costs have increased dramatically, and few restaurants have re-opened. Most tourist attractions are open, though Shwegadon Pagoda remains closed.

Hotels and tourist destinations upcountry remain unaffected, and Exotissimo Myanmar is able to redirect tours around Yangon. Clients currently traveling in Myanmar are safe and visiting destinations outside of the city. International and domestic flights are running normally.

Travel to and around Myanmar remains safe, and Exotissimo Myanmar is ready to handle any requests.

For urgent communication, please e-mail Exotissimo Travel at exoyangon@exotissimo.com. We will fax any urgent correspondence directly to Exotissimo Myanmar.

Exotissimo Myanmar can still be reached by phone and fax.

Tel: (951) 255 266 / 255 388 / 255 427 / 255 120 / 255 160 / 255 171 / 255 170
Fax: (951) 255 428

* Ma Pauk (Operations): +95 9 512 1231
* Den (French): +95 9 519 9581
* Nwe Nwe (Sales Manager): +95 9 992 6597
* Kay (Direct Sales): +95 9 501 9045
* Su Su Tin: +95 9 200 5643

The Exotissimo Travel Group is setting up a fund immediately with an initial donation of 10,000 USD to buy houses and rice. These are the two things that are urgently in need. If any agents want to contribute to this fund, they are all welcomed.

For your information a bag of rice is 40 USD to feed a family of four for a month. A house costs 200-300 USD.

Contributions of any size are welcome. Even small donations can make a large impact on someone’s life during this trying time.

Just an hour and a half from Chiang Mai, Huai Nam Dang National Park is filled with virginal forests, charming hilltribe villages and tons of flora and fauna. You can explore it on foot or from the back of a majestic elephant. Bamboo rafter down the Mae Taeng River is also available, and we recommend a homestay with the Lahu and Karen peoples. Check out some of our exciting trekking programs in this gorgeous area. Contact us at Thailand@exotissimo.com for rates and booking.

The Royal Ballet and Theater will be closed for two months, from 1st May to 31st June 2008 for its low season. The theater will still be available for special bookings.

The Villa Santi will be closed from May to September 2008 to renovate during the low season. Likewise the 3 Nagas Restaurant will take advantage of the low season to redecorate, and will transfer management to the 3 Nagas Hotel.

The embarkation dock for the Luangsay Cruise has been moved to Calo Pier and is no longer in front of Vat Xieng Thong. The new departure time will be 7:30, and a continental breakfast will be provided. Luangsay Cruises will be closed for the low season for the entire month of June 2008.

Please contact Laos@exotissimo.com for further details.

The fascinating Chin people live on the hills west of the Irawaddy River in northwest Myanmar. Chin State is mountainous and villages are scattered across the many hills. Their hand-woven cotton and silk dresses are intricately designed and dyed, and a trademark of the Chin’s skill at textiles. In the past, even their dresses and beads have been valued as collectibles. Perhaps the most distinct feature of the Chin are their facial tattoos. This tradition is slowly being phased out, though there are many who still honor this practice.

Our friends at the gorgeous Hotel de la Paix have opened up a charming new restaurant in the old market area of Siem Reap, AHA. The ambiance is impeccable and very much in keeping with the Hotel de la Paix. This chic new restaurant will serve Khmer food in tapas-style, accompanied by a wide variety of wine. We are sure that hipsters from all around the world will go home raving about the AHA.

The ever-popular Victoria Express, connecting Hanoi to Lao Cai (and onwards to perennial favorite Sapa), will be undergoing its annual maintenance from 1st May to 30th May 2008. During this time, only one sleeping carriage will be available for each trip. Should your file be affected by this loss of capacity, Exotissimo Travel has already made alternative arrangements and contacted you directly.