The Single Diamond Mango tour was created at
the request of Tamarind's guests; and is a combination of our
Magnificent Myanmar and the Return to Myanmar tours.
The Single Diamond Mango is known as the "King of Fruits" in
Burma and is one of the sweetest mangoes in the world.
Our tour begins in Rangoon where a trip to our famous Shwedagon
Pagoda dominates the skyline. Enjoy a short walking tour in the
heart of our city; and after working an appetite we will have
dinner at one of my favorite dining establishments where the
local cuisine will satiate your appetite.
After a good night rest we will have an early start by
participating in giving alms to our monks in Rangoon before we
begin our trip to the Golden Rock. A natural monument that is
one of the most revered in our country.
After overnight here we make our way to Rangoon where we next
travel to Mt. Popa and Bagan. These locales are almost
indescribable-and be assured that you too will be awed by the
historical significance and beauty of these stops on our
adventure.
Next we will travel to Mandalay- a former capital of Burma,
where George Orwell once resided; and which Kipling refers to in
his poem "Mandalay". But more importantly founded by Burmese
King Mindon as a capital in the 1800s! In Mandalay we will take
a short boat trip to Mingun where you can see what was destined
to be the largest temple in the world; as well as a host of
other historical charms.
Our next destination is Pyin Oo Lwin- a temperate locale that is
one of my personal favorites. Not to be missed are the botanical
gardens and train ride to the Goak Htaik Bridge-a must!! The
atmosphere here is peaceful and quiet, giving you the
opportunity to take in the gorgeous surroundings.
After a few days in Pyin Oo Lwin, we are off to Kalaw and Inle
Lake. In Kalaw we will take a leisurely hike to visit the
Palaung Hill Tribe. The hike is not technical and culminates in
a visit to the Palaung; as well as a lunch at restaurant that
will afford us quite simply one of the best views you will ever
have the opportunity to see while eating a quaint meal
overlooking a splendid valley.
Inle Lake- my words cannot accurately describe the significance
and beauty of this part of Burma, as well as the unique
lifestyle and culture. Let me to assure you that a visit to Inle
Lake could possibly be the highlight of your trip-you will not
be disappointed!
Surely just when you think what more could Burma possibly
offer-and between you and I, our final destination is a favorite
of Tamarind's-and in fact our current homepage reflects a guest
sharing photos with a some children from a village adjacent
Ngapali beach.
After 14 days of sightseeing, the ocean's breeze and sounds of
the rhythmic waves meeting the shore will lull you into another
world at Ngapali. The most difficult decision that you will have
to make here is what you will want to feast on for dinner and be
forewarned seafood is a specialty here! You will have ample time
to reflect on your excursion to Burma, recounting your endeavors
with your family and friends, regaling and reliving the past 2
weeks over laughs and conversation!! Enjoy!!
Brief Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive to Yangon
Day 2:
Yangon
Day 3:
Morning ritual in Yangon, Yangon - Kyaik Hti Yo known as The Golden Rock
Traditionally Burmese women wear a wrap-around nether
garment called Htamein and a jacket. One unique feature of
Burmese women is wearing Thanakhar – a pasty make-up
obtained by grinding the bark of the Thanakhar plant with
water on a circular slab of stone. It is the secret of
Burmese women’s smooth and youth skin.
Our tradition, Burmese women show deference to their
husbands, regarding them as “gods of the front part of the
house”. The implication may be that they look upon
themselves as “goddesses of the rear part” The conventional
saying is men are bread-winners and women are home-makers.
The roles are reversed sometimes and nowadays when woman
take parts the position of a rice-winning wife!
Most Burmese women are religious. Their day starts with
offering alms-food, water, flowers, lights and incense to
the Buddha Image at their home alter.
The five traditional duties of a Burmese women are to do
household chores, to keep away things securely, to be
faithful to her husband, to share what she can with her
husbands’s relations and her own and to work hard. You may
like to know what are her husband’s. Here it is – to be free
from disregard towards her, to place his earnings to manage
for family living, to abstain from having affairs with other
women, to be kind and loving to her. It can be regarded like
an old fashioned though, it offers us a mutual respect,
support morally each other, enjoy rights and freedoms
equally. The ethics is a heritage from our great
grandparents.
