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The Burma Road
The Myanmar Times, April 4 - 10, 2005

An Emotional Burma Road Trip, by a Tour Guide

I'm Miss Gloria Andrews, a tour guide. I have been assisting Ms Theingi, the tour guide of the Burma Road trip. I have often been assigned by Baron Travels and Tours Company (formerly Universal Tours & Travel Company) as a tour guide. Recently, I accompanied a memorable tour of the Burma Road in which two U.S. WWII Veterans revisited their wartime postings after 60 years. They are Mr. Veikko Raymond Kauppila, formerly a sergeant, and Mr. Elmer Lynn Hauldren, formerly a sergeant, a truck driver. Also on the tour was Ms. Joyce Banners Markle, a professor at National-Louis University in Chicago. They visited the hospital established by Dr. Gordon Seagrave in Namkham, the war-time aerodrome, and the three graves of Dr. Gordon Seagrave, and his son and daughter. Mr. Veikko Raymond Kauppila read out a memorial letter over the fallen colleagues who fell during the Second World War.
 

 

 

 

 Gloria, Susan and Theingi

His voice was shaking while reading, and he shed tears, and we were all choked with great emotion. Mr. Kauppila prayed that this kind of evil war might never happen again on this good earth. They had mixed feelings of joy and sorrow. They were happy because they had the chance to revisit the Burma Road after a lapse of 60 years. They said that they thought the Burma Road would be overwhelmed with bushes and shrubs. They were very happy to know that the Burma Road is still good. They also said that they would tell their colleagues what a great tour they had and would urge them to visit the Burma Road while it is still in good condition and while they are still alive. If they had known the good condition of the Burma Road they would have visited it earlier, they said.

For me, I'm very proud of this Burma Road trip taken by the two U.S. War Veterans who were able to visit the Burma Road through the endeavour exerted by Baron Travels & Tours Co., Ltd., Yangon. Baron Travels & Tours is pleased to invite other U.S. War Veterans to visit it while there is still a good chance. Last but not least, I would like to say the success of this Burma Road trip was mainly due to the organization of the tour by Ms Khaing Tun in the U.S.A., and the contribution of the tour guide Ms Theingi. I hope that more U.S. War Veterans of the Second World War would want to visit the Burma Road if they read this small passage.

 

Best regards,

Miss Gloria Andrews

Review on the Success of the Burma Road Tour      

By Tony Yang (a) Than Nyunt

Very recently Ms Khaing Tun a friend of mine in the States, led a tour group which was composed of two US WWII Veterans, Mr Veikko Raymond Kauppila, 80, and Mr Elmer Lynn Hauldren, 82. The former served in Namkham, Shan State, upper Myanmar, and the latter was a sergeant with a Ledo-based supply convoy. Both had served with American units of the famous the Ledo-Road during the WWII. The next member of the tour was Ms Joyce Markle, a professor at National-Louis University in Chicago.

The title of the tour was actually the Burma Road Tour Programme. Like the Ledo-Road, the Burma Road was the first road used for logistical purposes by the American troops to the then KMT soldiers in Kunming during the WWII. War supplies were sent from India to Yangon by vessels, whence to Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, Lashio, Kyu Khok, Wanting, and Kunming by convoys. the Burma Road on China side (from Tengchong to Wanting part of the Burma Road) was built by old Chinese people including pregnant Chinese women with their blood and sweat, without any machinery. Some women did their work, even holding their two or three year old children, and some carrying their babies on their backs.

On March 16, 2005, my English speaking tour guides Ms Theingi and Ms Gloria waited for the guests at Jiegao. They met the guests there around 09:00 a.m. They were transferred by our guides to Namkham where Mr Kauppila had served during the WWII. They visited the then wartime airfield, and Mr Kauppila blew the bugle and read out a memorial letter for the fallen comrades-in-arms, praying for then to rest-in-peace. While reading he controlled his emotions but had tears in his eyes. All present felt the same. The same day they visited the tomb of Dr. Gordon Seagrave, the then medical doctor of a private hospital and the two graves of his son and daughter. They also went to greet Esther Po, an old nurse from Dr. Seagrave's hospital. The same day, they proceeded to Lashio, where they took a good rest, and continued to Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon. They arrived in Yangon by flight on March 22 and checked-in at Hotel Nikko Royal Lake, where the Myanmar Times interviewed the US WWII Veterans. The article was printed on the issue of April 04-10, 2005. During the interview Mr Kauppila said, "Had we known that Burma Road is still in good condition like this, we would have visited Myanmar earlier, 10 or 20 years before."

Ms Joyce Markle spoke at the farewell dinner. She said, "Tony, this Burma Road tour programme was really perfect and a great success. We were all extremely happy and satisfied with the tour route. We were more excited than we had expected. We had mixed feelings of both joy and sorrow especially in Namkham. We will never forget this trip to Burma. We will share our experiences of this great trip with our friends and other organizations in the States. Myanmar is really a nice country and the people are very friendly."

I replied to Ms Joyce Markle, " In my opinion, the success of this Burma Road tour programme is not only due to my effort, but also to the efforts of Ms Khaing Tun, and those of our tour guides, Ms Theingi and Ms Gloria, whom I'm pleased to extend my heartfelt thanks. At the same time, my great acknowledgements go to my most distinguished guests who gave me such a good chance of handling such a great tour. We also thank the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of our government for its kind permission for this great tour."
 

Tony Yang

 

 


Dear Tony Yang,

I am writing to tell you what an excellent tour you arranged, in cooperation with our Burmese contact, Ms. Khine Tun. We were able to see the WWII sites that we were interested in, and the days were paced very comfortably. We got hundreds of absolutely excellent pictures, which we will treasure, and will be useful for a feature article I hope to write on the trip.

There were several things about the itinerary that pleased us very much:
1) We were not at common "tourist sites" but we felt we were seeing the real China
2) We were able to interact with people, and we got excellent pictures of ordinary people just leading their lives--caring for their children, shopping in markets, working their farm fields.
3) We did not feel rushed, or hurried from place to place. We felt we had time to appreciate where we were and what we were seeing.
4) The places we stayed and the food we ate were excellent. We returned healthy and happy. In fact, I am now trying to cook foods more like the ones I ate there--with lots of steamed vegetables and very little grease. My stomach never felt better!

It is also important that you realized that veterans of World War II are no longer young, and your guides were considerate and patient, and took their age into consideration.

The driver was an excellent driver, and although I am often nervous in a car (when I am not driving), I felt very safe and relaxed.

Thank you for making such successful plans.

--Joyce Markle


Dear Tony Yang -

I can't compliment you enough on your arrangements for our China/Burma tour last month. You left us nothing at all to complain about.


Guides - Excellent, under the direction of the very capable and personable Khine Tun.

Drivers - Absolutely first-rate. Careful, alert, polite.

Food - Real Chinese food - so different, and so much better than what they give us in the States.

Accommodations - First class, all the way. Good service, friendly people.

Itinerary - Couldn't have pleased us more. We got to see exactly what we came to see, at a very comfortable pace.

In short, we had a wonderful, unforgettable vacation.

Thank you again, and I hope we can do this again one day soon.

All the best to you and your staff,

Lynn Hauldren
 
 

Namkhan Hospital

Dr. Gordon Seagrave's,
 Son and daughter

WWII airfield at Namkhan

Gokteik Bridge

Interview by the Myanmar Times

A warm and fresh welcoming drink at Hotel Nikko

Exchanging presents after interview

 

Tour Name - The Burma Road
Duration: 8 days - 7 nights
Tour Code:  8/7/BR
Ruili-Muse-Namkham-Lashio-Pyin Oo Lwin-Mandalay-Bagan-Yangon
 

Day (01) RUILI – MUSE – NAMKHAM – LASHIO BY CAR

After breakfast, transfer to Jiegao, the Chinese-Myanmar border point, where you will be welcomed by our guide. After clearance of customs formalities cross into MUSE. We will stop by a WWII airfield in Namkham and visit NAMKHAM where Dr. Gordon Seagrave's hospital is still being utilised as a local clinic. Proceed your trip (187 km – 4 hours) to LASHIO, located at 855 meters in a mountain basin. Visit railway station and WWII airfield. Dinner and overnight at Lashio Motel, in Lashio.		 Dr. Seagrave's hospital
at Namkham



 
Day (02) LASHIO – PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO) BY CAR (B+L+D)

After breakfast, stroll through the busy local market (where modern amenities mix with local produce). A scenic drive (211 km - 6 hour) will take you to the former British hill station of PYIN OO LWIN (Maymyo), a delightful small town of colonial-style buildings, markets, and a botanical garden. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant en route and upon arrival transfer directly to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Royal Parkview Hotel (**, Superior room) in Maymyo.

OPTIONAL TRAIN EXPERIENCE

Drive to Naung Pan Railway Station. Wait for the Lashio-Mandalay train. A 45 minute train journey to Naung Cho will give you a taste of how the locals travel. You will also crawl across the famous Gokteik Bridge. The 700m long bridge, built in 1900 by the American Pennsylvania Steel Co, spans across a nearly 300m deep abyss. After crossing the bridge the train will stop at a small station. You will get the chance to have a better look at the bridge. Please note that it is not permitted to photograph/video bridges in Myanmar. Also keep in mind that trains in Myanmar are not up to international standards. However, we will make every effort to provide best available seats on the train. In case of schedule irregularities, delays or unavailability of seats, the journey will be made by road as per original itinerary.
 		 WWII airfield at Namkhan


 

 Gokteik Bridge


 
Day (03) PYIN OO LWIN – MANDALAY BY CAR (B+L+D)

After breakfast, explore the local market by horse-drawn carriage (if available). Continue to MANDALAY.

After lunch at a local restaurant you will experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including some of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA; the SHWE INBIN MONASTERY; the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen's shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (****, Superior room) in Mandalay.
 		   Botanical Garden


 
Day (04) MANDALAY – AMARAPURA – AVA – SAGAING BY CAR (B+L+D)

After breakfast, take an excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Visit BAGAYA MONASTERY, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. After lunch at local restaurant, excursion to the former Royal Capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip. Visits by horse-drawn carriage to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the palace building nicknamed “the leaning tower of Ava“; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco; BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to SAGAING HILLS, a retreat for Buddhist devotees for sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (****, Superior room) in Mandalay.
 		   Golden Palace Monastery


 
Day (05) MANDALAY – BAGAN BY CAR (B+L+D)

After early breakfast, transfer to BAGAN by private mini van via Mt. Popa, including lunch stop at Mt. Popa Mountain Resort. Dinner and overnight stay at Bagan Thande Hotel (River View) or Thazin Garden Hotel, in Bagan.		   Bagan


 
Day (06) BAGAN (B+L+D)

After breakfast, stroll through the colorful local market and continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine;´GUBYANUKGYI, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images. After lunch at local restaurant, visit one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts, a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. You will continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in the Mon style in 1059 and continue to NAN PAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Proceed to BU PAYA PAGODA or MINGALA ZEDI STUPA to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River.
Dinner at a riverside restaurant. Overnight stay at Bagan Thande Hotel (River Side View) or Thazin Garden Hotel, in Bagan.		  Shwezigon Pagoda


 

Day (07) BAGAN – YANGON BY FLIGHT (B+L+D)

After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to Bagan airport for your domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. After lunch at local restaurant complete your Myanmar impressions with an afternoon tour through Yangon’s colonial-style city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha at CHAUK HTAT GYI; and after a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Complete your tour in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA. Farewell dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay at Hotel Nikko Royal Lake (****, Superior room) in Yangon. 		Karaweil Royal Barge


   
Day (08) YANGON – DEPARTURE BY FLIGHT (B)

After breakfast at hotel, enjoy your leisure time until transfer to Yangon airport for international flight.

For the above tour programme, please contact Ms Khaing Tun for booking at
khaingt@gmail.com  or e-mail us at baronmfg@mptmail.net.mm .  

 

A warm and fresh welcomig drink at Hotel Nikko


 

Tour Name - The Burma Road
Tour Code:  10/9/BR
(Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Maymyo-Lashio-Muse-Bhamo-Ruili


DAY 01 ARRIVAL YANGON

Transfer to hotel. Depending upon arrival time, we will have an orientation tour of Yangon.
We will visit the SHWEDAGON PAGODA in the evening, followed by a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Royal Lake (****) or similar in Yangon.
 
Interview by the Myanmar Times
 
DAY 02 YANGON

A tour through Yangon city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha Image at CHAUK HTAT GYI; and after a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, and stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET.
Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Royal Lake (****) or similar in Yangon.		 Shwedagon Pagoda
 
DAY 03 YANGON - BAGAN

Option A: 06.30AM flight by Air Mandalay: Early morning departure from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Bagan. Transfer to hotel for check in. (Sightseeing : Nyaung U Market, Shwezigon, Gu-byauk-gyi at Wet Kyi Inn, Htilominlo, Nan Paya, Ma-nu-ha Paya, Gu-byauk-gyi Temple at Myin-ka-ba, Ananda and sunset at Shwe-san-daw.)
Accommodation: Thiripyitsaya Sakura (****) or similar in Bagan.
(OR)
Option B: 10.30AM flight by Air Mandalay (Wed/Sat only): Flight from Yangon to Bagan.
Transfer to hotel for check in. ( Sightseeing : Nan Paya, Ma-nu-ha Paya, Gu-byauk-gyi Temple at Myin-ka-ba Village, Ananda and sunset at Shwe-san-daw Paya.)
Accommodation: Thiripyitsaya Sakura (****) or similar in Bagan.		 Damayazaka Pagoda


 
DAY 04 BAGAN

Option A: After breakfast, visit the Nanda-pyin-nya Pagoda, the Paya-thone-zu Group, the Tayok-pyi Paya and the Dahmma-ya-za-ka Zedi. After lunch, visit the Sulamani Pagoda, the Dahmma-yan-gyi Pahto, the Thatbyinnyu Temple, and enjoy sunset at the Bu Paya. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Thiripyitsaya Sakura.
Option B: After breakfast, visit Nyaung Oo typical market to study the lifestyle of the people in Nyaung Oo/Bagan. Then visit the Shwezigon Pagoda, a prototype of Myanmar stupa; the Gu-byauk-gyi Temple at Wet Kyi Inn Village, a temple with pyramidal spire, built in the 13th century; and the Htilominlo Temple, which is noted for its original plaster carving. Lunch at a local restaurant. After a short rest, visit Dahmma-ya-za-ka Zedi, the Sulamani Pagoda, the Dahmma-yan-gyi Pahto, the Thatbyinnyu Temple, and enjoy sunset at the Bu Paya. Dinner at a localrestaurant.
Hotel: Thiripyitsaya Sakura.
 		 Bu Paya


 

 
DAY 05 BAGAN - MANDALAY

After early breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight to Mandalay.
Depending on the arrival time, we will have a chance to explore the city. Experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA; the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as tapestries craftsmen's shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset.
Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort (****) or similar in Mandalay.
 		 Golden Palace


 
DAY 06 MANDALAY

After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit U BEIN BRIDGE built in 1849, MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; KAUNGMUDAW PAGODA AND SAGAING HILL, a retreat for Buddhist devotees. After lunch, excursion to the former Royal Capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip.
Visits by horse-drawn carriage to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the palace building nicknamed "the leaning tower of Ava"; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco; BAGAYA MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts.
Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (****) or similar in Mandalay.
 		 U Bein Bridge


 

 
DAY 07 MANDALAY - PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO)

A scenic drive will take you to the former British hill station of Maymyo, a delightful small town of colonial-style buildings, and a botanical garden. City tour upon arrival.
Accommodation: Royal Parkview Hotel (**) or similar in Maymyo.		 Water Falls


 

DAY 08 PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO) - LASHIO

After breakfast, stroll through the busy local market and proceed to Lashio via Kyaukme and Hsipaw.
Accommodation: Lashio Motel (*) in Lashio.

OPTIONAL: 1.30 hour train ride across GOKTEIK BRIDGE. The 700m long bridge, built in 1900 by the American Pennsylvania Steel Co, spans across a nearly 300m deep abyss. After crossing the bridge, meet our van to continue our transfer to Lashio, where we will stay overnight. Please keep in mind that trains in Myanmar are not up to international standard and reliability leaves to be desired.
However, we will make every effort to provide best available seats on the train. In case of schedule irregularities, delays or unavailability of seats, the journey will be made by road as per original itinerary.
 

 Lashio Hotspring


 
DAY 09 LASHIO - MU'SE

We continue our journay to Mu'se. Visit Dr. Gordon Seagrave's hospital in NAMKHAM. Return to Mu'se.
Accommodation: Sein Yadana Hotel in Mu'se.
 
Dr. Gordon Seagrave's,
 Son and daughter
 

 
DAY 10 MU'SE - BHAMO

Continue to BHAMO, en route, we will visit the WWII Bailey bridge across Shweli River. Overnight in Bhamo.
Accommodation: Friendship hotel in Bhamo.
 		 Nam Kham


 
DAY 11 BHAMO

Visit Bhamo and environ.
Accommodation: Friendship hotel in Bhamo.
 		 Parrot's Beak, Between Bhamaw & Shwe Gu Second Narrow River


 
DAY 12 BHAMO - MU'SE

Transfer back to Mu'se.
Accommodation: Sein Yadana Hotel in Mu'se.
 		  Bhamo River


 
DAY 13 MU'SE - RUILI

After breakfast, transfer to Jiegao, the Myanmar-China border point, where you will be welcomed by the Chinese local ground agent/guide. After clearance of customs formalities, cross into RUILI. Transfer to hotel.
(Time difference: 1.5 hours between China and Burma)
Accommodation: Jingcheng Hotel (***) or similar in Ruili.
 

For the above tour programme, please contact Ms Khaing Tun for booking at
khaingt@gmail.com  or e-mail us at baronmfg@mptmail.net.mm .

 

 Ruili border point


 

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