This month saw the start of planning for our latest project – a village library in Maung Shwe Lay, Myanmar. The fishing village of Maung Shwe Lay, south of Ngapali Beach, is a typical living environment for many rural communities in Myanmar. The village is self-sufficient yet lacks a consistent education system. Although villagers are eager to continue with their education, the nature of their lifestyles (relying on fishing and farming as a means to survival) often deem further study is an unrealistic prospect for most.
Maung Shwe Lay village has one primary school attended by approximately 200 students and a secondary school for 250 students. For higher education people have to leave the village for Thandwe or Yangon. A couple of years ago the village committee collected funds for the construction of a library building, which was successfully completed. Unfortunately, the library was never opened and operated due to a lack of funds for purchasing books. Having discovered this, Exo Foundation made the decision to consult with the villagers on the continuation of this initiative.
After a meeting with the village committee and an initial inspection of the site, Exo Foundation offered financial support for the establishment and running of the library. Opening a library is a great way to supplement formal education that is given to the villagers. And, moreover, providing free access to books gives the opportunity for further education and self-study to students and adults alike. To learn more about this exciting new project please, click here.

Two new day trips have been created targeting culture connoisseurs, collectors and those interested in exploring Yangon’s cultural scene. The city is filled with unique galleries and shops that are tucked away from the usual tourist areas, thus many travelers overlook the wonderful art and antiques of Yangon.

Art Galleries of Yangon- We have rerouted this program to incorporate some of the new galleries in town as well as classics such as Pansodan. With our local contacts we are able to arrange meetings with curators at some of the galleries – a great chance for travelers to learn about and discuss the evolution of Burmese Art. Click here to view the full itinerary.

Art and Antiques of Yangon – This new full day program starts in the Golden Valley neighborhood of Yangon with visits to two antique shops whose owners are a wealth of knowledge. Also in this part of town is a gallery established by one of Myanmar’s most famous artists and filled with contemporary and old art. The excursion continues to a street corner where a row of stalls are filled to the brim with antiques from various periods of Myanmar’s past.

A lunch stop will be made in an old colonial house which was once the headquarters of the Burmese Independence Army and contains, amid its collection of furniture and photos, Aung San’s desk and typewriter. In the afternoon the trip ventures down town to the art galleries and antique shops near Bogyoke market. For more information, click here.

Contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for booking or further details.

As we approach the low season, many hotels and properties have announced closures or renovations during this period. Our travel consultants will offer suitable alternatives for accommodation during this time and we will plan inspections of these properties when completed to ensure they continue to operate at Exotissimo’s expected service level.

YANGON:

• Traders Hotel: Deluxe rooms will not be available from May – September while they are renovated.
• Kandawgyi Lake Hotel: Renovations will begin in June and are expected to be completed by early October. Plumbing, painting, refinishing the floors and painting are taking place but not causing full closure of the hotel. They are also expanding their parking lot so some noise will occur during the daytime hours.

BAGAN:

• Thiri Marlar: Fully closed for the second phase of their room renovations from 1 May – 30 September
• Hotel @ Tharabar Gate: Superior rooms partially closed for renovations from 1 May – 30 September

GOLDEN ROCK:

• Golden Rock Hotel: fully closed for room renovations from 23 April to 30 September.

INLE LAKE

• Serenity Resort Inle Lake: will reopen on 1 May after two months of renovations on the rooms
• Villa Inle Resort & Spa: New property from the Tharabar Gate Hotel Group will open 1 October 2011 with 16 lakeside villas
• Aureum Hotel Group: New property expected to open 1 October 2011

NGAPALI AND NGWE SAUNG:

• All regularly scheduled flights will cease operations on 1 May 2011. There will be sporadic flights until September- please ask your travel consultant if one is available on your preferred date of travel.
• All hotels will be closed except Bayview Ngapali
• Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa: New property also from the Tharabar Gate Hotel Group expected to open in October 2011. The beachfront property will feature 4 Beach Suite Villas and 28 Sea View Deluxe rooms.

PUTAO:

• All flights will stop operating 1 May 2011 and are scheduled to restart 30 September 2011 Malikha Lodge and Putao Trekking House will both be closed during this period.

Exotissimo Myanmar has developed two new programs based around Burmese cuisine. The itineraries not only focus on food-related visits but also ensure a greater understanding of the local culture.

Yangon for Foodies is a half day trip which starts with a visit to one of the busiest morning markets in town. It then traverses the city in search of the best local delights, from the sweet (homemade donuts) to the more unusual (a famous stall for le pet thoke, fermented tea leaf salad) and concludes with lunch at a popular local curry house. Along the way travelers get to experience the daily lives of the local people, the importance of food in their culture and a traditional Burmese tea shop. Click here to see the full itinerary.

Culinary Delights of Myanmar is an 8-day program blending classical touring with food-related adventures. Highlights include dining in local spots such as Yangon’s Chinatown, a curry house in Bagan and a night market in Mandalay, visiting cottage industries making local delights in Bagan and two cooking courses — one with a local family and one in a well-known Burmese restaurant. Click here to see the full itinerary.

Please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for more information

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the opening of Hotel de l’Opéra Hanoi has been delayed until June 2011. The hotel will not be taking any bookings until this time. Hotel de l’Opera is a 5-star boutique property comprising of 107 rooms with 4 Food and Beverage outlets including banquet facilities. The hotel occupies a prime location on Trang Tien Street halfway between the Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake, in close proximity to shops and restaurants. With its central location and boutique style the property brings a much needed addition to Hanoi’s 5-star hotel range. For more information please contact Vietnam@exotissimo.com

Exotissimo’s Ngapali Beach Break is ideal for travelers looking to experience a serene getaway at an unspoiled seaside destination. Accessible via a short flight from Yangon, Ngapali is one of Myanmar’s finest sand beaches and offers the perfect setting for a blissful escape. In this 4-day Myanmar tour, you are free to spend your time as desired, whether it is snorkeling the pristine seas, exploring local fishing villages or simply relaxing by the water’s edge!

The Bagan Princess is the ideal choice of accommodation for those looking for a central hotel for good value, offering simple yet cozy accommodation, just a 10 minute walk from Nyaung Oo market. A traditional warm Burmese welcome awaits guests at this 21 room property. Each room comes with a private Jacuzzi bath and the restaurant serves a varied selection of Burmese, Chinese and Italian cuisines.

We have just been informed that from 3rd December 2010, Yangon Airways has had all of its scheduled services temporarily suspended, the suspension being enforced by the Aircraft Operator Certificate Authority, with the suspension in place until further notice.All bookings made through Exotissimo have already been transferred to either Air Mandalay or Air Bagan, with details being communicated from our Myanmar office to our partners and directly to any clients currently travelling in Myanmar.

Fringing the Inle Lake in the Southern Shan State, the Red Mountain Vineyards make the perfect addition to a luxury tailor made Myanmar tour. Considered to produce the best wines in the country, made with locally grown grapes, all of the 400,000 plants have been imported from France and Spain. Clients will have the opportunity to observe the making of the wine before savoring a glass or two over a freshly prepared meal in the vineyards.

We are happy to announce that Exo has been named as the official Mekong Sessions travel partner for the Leonard Cohen Live in Phnom Penh benefit concert and all upcoming concerts.
In cooperation with the Mekong Sessions, Exotissimo Travel will, in the very near future, be offering special Leonard Cohen concert and tour packages for fans eager to experience the concert of a lifetime in the Kingdom of Wonder. Leonard Cohen fans travelling from anywhere around the world can purchase tickets, flights, accommodation and tours in a single package designed to ensure first time visitors, Southeast Asia lovers or expatriates maximise their enjoyment of this momentous event.