Kirsty Bennetts, Asia Product Manager tells us of her recent Burma encounter.

Visiting Burma is controversial because the democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who is still under house arrest, has asked tourists to boycott the country to protest at the regime. The Burma Campaign supports this boycott, as does the charity Tourism Concern. They say that human rights abuses in Burma have been linked to tourism with people being forced to work on roads and tourism projects.Having visited Burma independently, I disagree with the boycott, because the people I spoke to there were against it. Some of them earn money from tourism, so a boycott prevents their voices being heard on a world stage. The pro-democracy activist Ma Thanegi, who used to work for Aung San Suu Kyi, says: ‘sanctions have increased tensions with the Government and cost jobs. They haven’t accomplished anything positive’. Whether or not you agree with the boycott, it has had the effect of encouraging potential visitors to think about the political Burma which in itself is a good thing.

Golden Rock Pagoda

South of Yangon, this area is off the beaten track for tourists but an important religious site for the Burmese. A bit of an adventure to get there and a steep climb to the top but for those with a spirit of adventure the effort is well rewarded.

Inle Lake

After a busy few days visiting temples and towns, Inle Lake can offer a relaxing antidote to a busy itinerary. I really enjoyed travelling around the lake by boat, admiring the scenery and observing everyday life including amazing floating vegetable patches and the famous ‘leg rowing’ fishermen. They have developed an unusual method of rowing with one leg, leaving their hands free to drop their large conical nets over the fish.

People/Spiritual Burma

For me, one of the real highlights of this beautiful country is the people and the warmth with which they welcome visitors to their country – everywhere I went I was met with smiling faces. Buddhism plays an extremely important role in the every day lives of the Burmese and this is evident not only in the temples you will visit but also in everyday life

About Kirsty Bennetts

Other articles by Kirsty Bennetts

Kirsty Bennetts Product Manager, India and Asia Kirsty joined Bales 8 years ago in the tailor made department and is now Product Manager for Asia and is responsible for the Indian Subcontinent and China & the Far East brochures. Although widely travelled, having visited 51 countries, she is passionate about all things Asia.