The Road to Manadaly is not a Bob Hope/Bing Crosby film, but rather a 130 passenger cruise ship specially converted by the London-based Orient Express organization to cruise the Irrawaddy river in mysterious and forbidden Myanmar, formerly Burma. The vessel had to meet unique local requirements for the cruise from Pagan, the ancient Burmese capital, to the legendary city of Mandalay. Rather than undertake a long construction process, the Orient Express company chose a KD Rhine steamer which originally ferried tourists along the Rhine from Switzerland to Amsterdam. She was refitted from stem from stern, including air conditioning and a small swimming pool.

As might be expected while operating in a country that has been virtually closed to the outside world for thirty years, special considerations had to be given to operate the ship. Due to the customary rice diet of the Burmese, and the fact that they are primarily Buddhist and will not kill meat, local supplies are not an option. Consequently, all vegetables, meats, wines and other basic supplies, including breakfast cereals, are flown in from Singapore. Meals are prepared under the supervision of an experienced European chef, Jeramie Garlik. The entire crew was recruited at Mandalay University based on their language skills and preparedness to learn the "Orient Express" manner of things. The whole thing works suprisingly well.

The Irrawaddy is shallow with silty sand banks and no rocks or boulders. There is very little traffic on the river and the feeling is one of stepping back in time. Old, rusting boats are seen periodically, as well as the odd, overcrowded local ferry. It is all very tranquil. Visitors will see basic farming operations and small settlements along the banks.

Right: On board entertainment features local dancers in traditional garb.

There are daily excursions ashore, including the famous stupas (shrines) in Pagan. These amazing Buddhist stupas, over 1,000 in number, cover 42 square kilometers and are over one thousand years old. Other outings include well-guided visits to small villages, temples, handicraft exhibits and numerous other points of interest in this forgotten land.

Mandalay, in contrast, is a relative beehive of 1950’s era activity. There are shipyards and other signs of bustling commerce. There are rickshaws, decrepit taxis and overloaded buses. Female monks, with their shaved heads and pink gowns, wait in doorways for their rice bowls to be filled. Here too are the foundations of what was to be the highest pagoda in the world, some 150 meters high. Commissioned by King Bodawpaya, who died before completion, the ruins were ravaged by earthquakes and remain in that state to this day. Full of contrasts, cultures and colors, Mandalay has a unique charm, not the usual British Colonial influence common in that part of the world..

Five and six day packages aboard The Road to Mandalay originate in either Bangkok or Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and include air transfers to the starting point of Pagan. Not since the 1960’s has a visitor been permitted to take up the splendour the Irrawaddy has to offer in such renewed comfort and style. If you have the opportunity...most definitely go for it. Contact, Avercrombie and Kent International Inc. in the U.S.A at 1-800-323-7308 or (outside U.S.) area code 708-954-2944.