Exotissimo News Blog » Irrawaddy

Fascinating Cruise along Irrawaddy

Exotissimo — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:01:12 +0000

The lifeblood of Myanmar, Irrawaddy River is intricately linked to the country’s history, culture and people’s livelihoods. A cruise along the Irrawaddy is highly recommended for visitors to Myanmar. We have created several cruise tours along the Irrawaddy for clients who wish to experience the stunning views and ethnic villages along this mighty river. For details, contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

Exotissimo Helps the Irrawaddy Delta

Exotissimo — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:53:45 +0000

Exotissimo has set up an emergency fund with a donation of 20,000 USD, and over 15,000 USD has been donated by our generous travel trade partners. This fund will be managed by Exotissimo until we find a trusted and effective NGO or charity to take over.

Exotissimo Myanmar has already begun providing relief services. We sent a four-person team to the hard-hit Irrawaddy River delta to assess the situation and provide immediate and direct aid. Once on the ground, our team found that families really appreciated the private donations coming direct to them. We began our efforts with funds from Exotissimo Travel and the Appletree Group, and will continue as long as these funds and those from generous donors last.

On 10th May, our team visited a village opposite the western part of Yangon where 1300 families were affected by Nargis. 300 families were made homeless by the cyclone and diarrhea has already broken out among those in the public shelters. The government plans to setup a water purification facility. Exotissimo will build a small medical clinic to help the village. The 25 ft X 25 ft facility will cost 4000 USD, and be staffed by a volunteer doctor and nurse. Local Exotissimo staff donated their own personal resources to the victims of Nargis here.

On 11th May, Exotissimo sent a truck to Phyapone and Maubin towns in Irrawaddy River Delta. In these two towns, there are many victims taking shelter in monasteries and rescue camps. Upon arrival, our staff will personally distribute goods totaling 6000 USD, including food, clothing, mosquito nets and blankets.

Hotel Situation Update in Yangon

Exotissimo — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:46:04 +0000

Exotissimo Travel would like to say “Thank you very much” on the behalf of the poor victims in Myanmar for all the kind support and every dollar donated to help them through this difficult time.

Most parts of Yangon are now getting back to normal with electricity becoming available. Gradually, many shops and restaurants are opening. The transport is back since all roads are open. Important attractions are also back to normal such as Bogyoke Market (Scotts Market), Shwedagon and Sule Pagoda. National Museum and Kaba Aye Pagoda are still closed but will open soon.

Yangon is safe now and we would like to take this chance to report on hotel situation there. Even though most of places affected by the cyclone are busy with cleaning up fallen trees, branches, leaves and other wind-blown debris, there also are hotels undamaged, with services readily available.

Park Royal: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Summit Parkview: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Traders Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Strand Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Sedona Hotel Yangon: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Inya Lake Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working.

Chatrium (previously Nikko) Hotel: The hotel’s main building and garden were not damaged. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

And below are those hotel slightly affected by the cyclone. Some are back to normal operation with limitations while some are sill closed due to both the cyclone and low season.

Governor’s Residence: The hotel property itself sustained some damage, while there are a few guests during this time due to the low season. The hotel is unlikely to resume operations for at least 2 months. All guests and staff are safe.

For another property, the Road to Mandalay, it is still closed due to the low season. The ship now is in Yangon and was badly damaged.

Kandawgyi Palace Hotel: The hotel faced no major damage and therefore guests can stay there without being disturbed. Some windows and roofs are broken, yet these need only minor repair work. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Savoy Hotel: The hotel has been operated with generator with limited hours, and therefore the phone lines are not working properly at the moment. The hotel has been trying to get power as soon as possible. Internet connection is also not working.

Thamada Hotel: The hotel faced only minor damage. Elevators are not working at the moment but electricity and telephone are working.

Myanmar Cyclone Update

Exotissimo — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:09:54 +0000

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.

Chin State Discovery

Exotissimo — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:06:33 +0000

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.

Kanpatlet and Mindat are two small Chin towns that are accessible by car from Bagan. Mt. Victoria or Natmataung, the highest peak in the region, is also close by. The area is great for hiking, trekking and birding. We think it’s a great place for a short soft adventure before or after exploring ancient Bagan.

Voyages Up & Down on Two Rivers

Exotissimo — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:09:34 +0000

The Pandaw IV will launch for its annual cruise on the Chindwin River and the northern tributaries of the Irrawaddy River this September. Guests will fly to Kalemyo and board the Pandaw IV to the town of Homalin, the gateway to the Naga homeland. The cruise then continues back down the Chindwin to the river port town of Bagan (and its many stupas) and onward up the northern Irrawaddy.

Guests may board the Pandaw for just the Chindwin portion of the cruise (10 days) or both the Chindwin and Irrawaddy portions (20 days).

For further details, please contact Myanmar@exotissimo.com

Myitkyina and Life at the Head of the Irrawaddy

Exotissimo — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:00:53 +0000

The People

At the end of the railroad line from Yangon, you will find a town populated with Kachin, Shan and Bamar peoples, along with a minority of Chinese and Indians. The locals here live simple lives, close to nature and wear their honest hearts on their sleeves. They are content with what they have, and do not yearn for the luxuries of other larger cities. Presently, travelers are allowed to visit Myitkyina without prior permission from the government.

The Market

The best place to visit with the locals is the morning market. It is a great place to take snapshots of people going about their daily lives as well as purchase Kachin sarongs (pasoe) and shoulder bags produced by local weavers.

The Museum

The Kachin National Museum or the Kachin State Cultural Museum, situated within the city center area is a nice place to learn about Kachin beliefs, history, culture, customs and tradition. The museum displays figures of the local minorities and tribes and their traditional dresses, looms and textile patterns, silverware, jewelry as well as household utensils musical instruments, weapons and models of houses lived by Kachin people.

The Gold

Kachin State is well known for its mineral riches, especially for its jade and its gold. During the dry season, those who wish to try their hand (and their luck) at gold prospecting may do so in Myitkyina. Visitors can learn traditional techniques in the Irawaddy in hopes of striking it rich.

Mountain and Whitewater Adventures

Exotissimo — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:19:14 +0000

Snow is the last thing people think of when traveling through our destinations. Instead of lounging on the white sands of Ngapali or touring the serene waters of Inle, some may be looking for a good old-fashioned snowball fight. Mt. Phonkanrazi is situated in the northwestern part of Putao Township and is the most accessible snow-capped mountain in the region. 11,500 feet above sea level, it is a great place for amateur adventurers, hikers and mountaineers to explore that rarest of things in Southeast Asia, snow and cold weather.

To balance the snowcaps of Mount Phonekanrazi, the Maykha River and its “whitecapped” waves is the best place for whitewater rafting in Myanmar. The Maykha is one of the two rivers that combine to form the might Irawaddy, and the confluence of the two rivers is a moving site popular with the local Myanmar peoples in addition to foreign visitors.