Wai Lè Handi University Student

I REALLY love travelling. It’s a nice escape from your daily life. I started travelling when I was five years old. I always take trips with my family. We used to travel once a year, but we can’t travel as much as we like anymore since my sister and I have become young adults and we have to devote our time to our studies.
I have been to Bagan and Mandalay, and to famous pagodas like Kyaiktiyo, Zalun and Shwesettaw. I have also had holidays at Chaungtha and Ngapali beaches. I prefer Chaungtha Beach because you can buy seafood there at reasonable prices.

I like all the trips I have taken. Each one gives me the opportunity to see new environments, and get new ideas and knowledge. Only by travelling can you try different local foods from different places, and see local people whose lifestyles are different from your own.

The next trip I am planning is to Kyaiktiyo with my friends in December. It will be the first time I travel with my friends so I am really excited. I think we will have so much fun.

If I could choose any destination in Myanmar, I would like to travel to the confluence of the Mayhka and Malihka rivers in Myitkyina, one of the most well known places in Myanmar. The natural scenery there would be breathtakingly beautiful and picturesque. And I would also like to go to Putao, where there are snow-capped mountains.

My dream trips would be visiting England and Italy, where my favourite footballers live and play.

I think the best time to travel is during the winter, when the weather is dry and cool. I prefer to travel by car rather than by plane or train or ship. It enables you to see the places you are travelling through and experience the atmosphere, and you can stop anywhere.

Mrs Sandrina Rempfler Yu Interior Designer

TRAVELLING for me means visiting different places and meeting all kinds of people, experiencing different customs, feeling relaxed when I see beautiful landscapes and getting away from my normal everyday life for a change.

I love travelling because it opens your mind and feeds your curiosity. You see new and different things, which makes you a more open person. I have been travelling my whole life. When I was a child my parents did a lot of travelling.

There are far more advantage to travelling than there are disadvantages.The disadvantages include taking up a lot of time and costing money, but I think you get a lot in return. As I said, it opens your mind and gives you a broader understanding of the world because you see how other people live and what kinds of difficulties they face. Where you live is just a small spot in the whole world, and there are so many people who live with different customs and religions, and I think it is worth going to see them for yourself.

We have plans to go to Bagan and from there to go trekking to the top of Natmataung. I’ve been to Bagan several times and I really miss it. And because I really like Natmataung we decided to combine them into one trip.
My favourite means of transport is to go by car because it is slow, so you can see more and stop whenever you like. I prefer to go to interesting but relaxing places for vacation. I don’t like to rush. Sometimes I like to just sit in a teashop in a new place and watch how people live. I usually try to travel for several weeks at a time but sometimes we only have three or four days so we have to make the best of that short time.

I can’t say what my favourite country to visit is. Every country has its beauty and something interesting to offer. But in general I would say I like Europe because so many countries are fit into a small area, so in one or two hours you can be in another country. You can travel very easily and have so many different experiences. I also like Asia. I always travel with my husband and my family.
Myanmar is also very beautiful. The people are kind and helpful, and there are so many different cultural groups.

Daw Khine Wai Thwe Public Relations Manager

TRAVELLING is my passion, since it not only is exciting and enjoyable but also widens your knowledge and helps develop self-esteem, and social and interpersonal skills. I have been involved in the travel industry for almost 10 years and I am still getting new and different experiences and challenges through travelling.

At present I am working for the Myanmar Marketing Committee Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board as a public relations manager. Within the next six months I will be travelling to London for the World Travel Market 2005; Davao City (Philippines) for the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006; and Berlin for the International Tourism Exchange 2006.

Attending such international travel industry trade shows has helped me understand how to disseminate information on promoting Myanmar as a preferred destination.

I have travelled to most of the popular attractions in Shan State, to Kachin State, to Rakhine State on the west coast, to Bagan, to Mandalay and its environs, and to the exotic beach destinations in Myanmar.

I have also been to Cambodia, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and United Arab Emirates for both business and leisure.

When you travel with a group you have a totally secure mindset, whereas travelling on your own requires a more independent spirit and created more excitement. I prefer travelling alone because I can explore and do things freely and independently.

I have also made sure to educate myself on the ‘dos and don’ts’ of travel to ensure a safe and comfortable journey, including getting proper healthcare, managing money and emergencies, making travel plans, wearing proper clothing, and adapting to the weather and to new eating habits.

My most unique and unforgettable travel experiences have included ballooning over Bagan, cruising down the Ayeyarwaddy River onboard the Road to Mandalay, exploring the desert of the United Arab Emirates and visiting Tokyo Disneyland.

The most common travel mistakes are not wearing proper footwear for continuous walking, packing excess clothing, getting lost or taking the wrong subway, and exceeding the budget for shopping and other things.