CYCLONE Nargis batters Ayeyarwady and Yangon divisions on May 2 and 3, killing nearly 140,000 people and leaving at least 1 million homeless. The cyclone, one of the worst natural disasters to affect Myanmar, makes landfall in the coastal region of Ayeyarwady Division with wind speeds of 190 kilometres an hour and triggers deadly tidal surges of up to 15 feet (4.5 metres).

PLANNING a holiday to your favourite destination usually requires a lot of time and preparation. If you still haven’t decided where to spend this Christmas, one time-saving option is to book a holiday package with a local tour company. Here are some of the attractive December holiday packages on offer for both local and international destinations.