View - Orient-Express

MYANMARChindwin promises to be a revelation. Few foreignvisitors have explored this waterway, home to cavetemples and remote tribal villages. Visits to localmarkets and ancient pagodas, a jungle trek andopportunity to play at a colonial-era golf courseprecede the ship’s arrival at Homalin, a busy tradegateway close by the Indian border.Another route leads through towering gorgesto Bhamo, just a few miles short of China. Its manyexciting ports of call include Katha, once home towriter George Orwell, with a trip by trishaw to thevibrant market described in his book Burmese Days.Both ships offer the chance to explore Mandalay,with its royal palace and revered Mahamuni Buddha.At Mingun, a few kilometres further north, travellersare met by pony cart and taken at a trot to the world’slargest uncracked bell, weighing in at 90 tonnes.One morning, guests might be invited to joinin the offering of alms to a snaking procession ofmonks. Stopovers in small villages include visits tocraft workshops such as silversmiths and makers oflacquer ware. At teashops there’s the opportunity totry the local brew, laced with condensed milk.But of all the ports of call it is Bagan that mostAn unusually green view of Bagan, by the AyeyarwadyRiver, whose ancient pagodas rise up from a vast plain.28