THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS .
We had a lovely time @ Inle, stayed @Inle Resort n it was a sumptuously lovely spacious chalet Best feature was the bath room n toilet was separated by 2 sinks .The spacious sitting room was particioned off n had tables n minibar n a daybed . All this in very nice landscaped gardens which we took a stroll in before going for our breakfasts. The dinners were good - food so much better than Paradise or Paramount Hotels on the Lake. It was quieter also. Staff were better n quite helpful . We didn't see big groups of travellers just small groups like us or the most 5 in a group.
Sankar was absolutely super ! .Yes our local guide picked up the Pao guide @ GIC Nampan. The boat ride there was lovely we saw frolicking pigs and buffaloes n the journey really sped by. We brought books n pencils for the village school via our Shan guide thru my travel agent. We only had access to the nursery school n they were a delight. A schoolgirl we passed before going to the nursery , asked us what we had given her. She had never seen colour pencils before !!! At least the Bago students knew what we gave but these villagers so far south in Inle had few resources, their hospital can't open because they hardly have anything in there to treat the sick. So next time we'll bring medical supplies etc. n email our local quides as to what the village needs before we come.
I did join with my hotel in Bagan n their group of friends to donate to a whole village in Bagan last year in November . They pick different villages each year to donate n you really see the villagers gratitude - they know they are not forgotten especially the elderly ! Everything was very orderly n there were no scrambling or grabbing. Even the school kids were shy to receive their books n pencils/pens . Their teachers had to tell them to take their gifts !
It's this charm of the Burmese especially in the Shan and Bagan areas that we return to. Found them to be more forthright than in Mandalay or Yangon. My Bagan guide still wears the traditional coat n loungyi n looks good on them. Don't know how they can climb up the pagodas/stupas so easily, whilst we 3 in pants gingerly climb up using all our limbs !? We had lovely food away from our hotel overlooking the river .
At the end of our trip our tour agent ask us for feed back on how they can improve on their service. I don't think I can fault them on anything unless I nit pick !! Only hotel I didn't like is Mandalay City as the room was tiny also woken up @ 5.50 by the mosque n they had no lift. If it was not for my UK pal n wanting her to see Mandalay Marionettes we'll skip sleeping in Mandalay n stay in Maymyo !
My friend had a lovely time n her best impression was Inle. We prefer the whites to the reds in the vineyard n the food was quite good too. We paid US$830 for for 2 sharing and 180 extra for a single . 2 nites Inle Resort, 1 nite Mandalay City 1 nite Thazin Garden(Bagan) n 2 nites Sedona Yangon with Pagoda view. flights,transfers n local guides with the entrance fees of the Pagodas/Places included.
I also wanted to warn the travellers to Bagan that if they had already included their entrance fees in their tour package that they shoud seek their local guides or else they'll be 'herded' to pay entrance fees at the area where the airport personnel take down your particulars like yr hotel n passport nos . I told them I already paid via my agent so I stride out to look for my guide n he came in to assure the officials etc. !!
Again thank you all for all the input. We trult had a fantastic time n my Brit pal was really awed by the whole trip especially the Burmese themselves.
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