MYANMAR
The tour begins with a brief introduction to Myanmar and its textiles at Siripan’s home in Chiangmai.  From here the group flies to Mandalay, a former capital of Myanmar, to see something of Mandalay itself, and the old capitals of Amarapura and Ava.  Amarapura is famous for weaving.  In particular we shall see the unique weaving technique, employing luntaya- ‘one hundred shuttles’, and often twice that number- over and under the warp thread to create weft acheiq – ‘wavy pattern’.  The weaving is time consuming; only three inches can be made by an experienced weaver in one day.

Exploring Ava by horse-drawn cart is not only the only form of transport here but also the most peaceful and tranquil way of getting around.  Sagaing and Mingun, the other old cities, are famous for their ruins and monasteries and nunneries. The view from Sagaing Hill is breathtaking. Part of the charm of visiting Mingun is the lovely one-hour cruise up the Irrawaddy.

From Mandalay we move on to Bagan, a site famous throughout the world for the thousands of temples and pagodas which cover and area of some 40 square kilometres.  Some of the pagodas are huge, reflecting the ambitions of the kings who had them built; others are small, and indeed are still being built as an indication of the devoutness of individuals and families.

   
After Bagan, we spend a few days on and around Inle Lake, famous for its floating gardens, stilt houses and fishermen rowing with one leg round the oar.  Apart from exploring the lake and its markets, villages and temples, we shall see how cloth is made from filaments extracted from lotus stems, another textile unique to this area.

And so on to the capital of Myanmar, Yangon, most famous for the Shwe Dagon, the most sacred of all Buddhist sites for the people in Myanmar.  A bustling city with many lovely parks, a legacy of the colonial period, Yangon offers many contrasts between old and new, and as always in Asia, between rich and struggling poor.

The tour is intended for the textile enthusiast, but also offers many many opportunities for the photographer and for those interested in other cultures.

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