Myanmar (Burma)/Expert Profile

Expertise

One of my all-time favorites. I`ve been there more than 10 times (for at least a month each time), done the tourist loop five times and travelled to several permit-only areas. Aside from the Yangon, Bago, Inle, Kalaw, Mandalay, Pagan, Pyay route, I`ve travelled twice to Sittwe, Mrauk-U and the Chin areas and then down to Ramree Island, Ngapali and Pathein. Been on the wonderful boat from Bhamo to Mandalay and sojourned in the south a bit past Moulmein. Most recently I trekked in the northern Kachin state, camped and stayed with the Rawang tribe, for 2 weeks on the way to Phonekan Razi to see the Himalayas from the east. I`ve taken nearly every mode of transport--trains, planes, buses, boats, bikes, oxcarts, trekking on foot. I can answer logistical questions about airfare, hotels, restaurants, trekking, trains, restricted/open areas and, especially, cultural/religious sites and their significance.

Experience in the area

The world is a fascinating place and nothing reveals this more thoroughly than exploring faraway lands. I've got a penchant for the exotic, a friendly face and a true curiousity about the people, art and life.

What do you like about this subject?

I've said it before, but few countries rival Burma in mind-boggling diversity, heart-rending kindness and, even, sheer spectacle. The people are simply the correctors of the modern world who teach us through example the treasures of humility, compassion and generosity.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Today, to me, Burma seems fathomless. New areas are opening up all the time--Razi, Chin enclaves, Naga homelands, the border with China. I hope to develop a broader understanding of the land and its people while exploring more of the wonders Burma has to offer.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

The Union of Myanmar is special for its diversity--the ice cream sundae, if you will, of SE Asia. Lush (Thai-like)tropics lure visitors to the SE, while Sittwe is a glimpse of Bangladesh, outside of Pyay are ancient Indian relics and Pagan is a river-bordered desert with cacti trees and a sky from another world.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

To go or not to go . . . this is the question that plagues the informed and curious. I believe that isolation of the country shields the bureaucracy from international opinion. If you are worried about feeding an unjust government, I believe that some tourist dollars trickle down to a segment of real folks who many never see the benefit of government trading in oil, gems and munitions.