“For sustainable develop-ment of tourism, we also need strong media promotion that can show the situation on the ground and what we are trying to do to promote tourism in the country,”

Tourism has now expanded beyond the conventional pilgrimages and sightseeing tours, with the emergence of such forms as eco-tourism, medical tourism, educational tourism and cultural tourism. The next category appears to be space tourism, which is expected to make its debut in the first quarter of this century.

A small jetty welcomes visitors to Indein and this is where from small stalls the locals peddle their souvenirs. Bamboo hats, “Welcome to Inle” T-shirts, Shan-style bags and many other goodies can be bought there.

“The Bogyoke Market is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Yangon. The only other similar place is Yuzana Plaza in Mingala Taung Nyunt township but most tourists don’t not like that place because it is very crowded and busy, they prefer Bogyoke Market,”

“In the era when the country was ruled by the Myanma Socialist Programme Party (1962-1988), tourist visas for foreigners were initially limited to a 24-hour day trip but later this was extended to seven days,”

“The national park at Mindat in Chin State is one of our major sites. Visitors who make the journey have the opportunity to observe the lifestyle of the hill tribe people along the way,”

The city is crowded with a large number of foreign merchants from neighbouring and far-off countries, such as the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Hundreds of trading ships, on their way from Europe to the exotic eastern trading cities like Java, are docked at the Rakhine port of Mrauk U.

A spokesperson from the Beikthano Archaeological Museum said the one-storey building features displays of artefacts discovered near Pyu, Beikthano and other ancient sites in the country, such as the remains of early humans, stone implements and fossils. The admission fee is 6 FEC for foreigners and K200 for locals.

Situated south of Yangon at the mouth of the Bago River, Letkhokkon alternates between beige sand beach and dark mud flat (with water buffaloes) depending on the tide. Don’t expect crystal-clear water but there are plenty of coconut palms.

“This earth is used in the production of cement. It came here by truck from Shan State and we earn K800 a day loading it onto the ship. Unfortunately, our pay hasn’t increased with commodity prices,”

“During the two month training period, we learned a lot, read a lot because it can be argued that a tourist guide is a diplomat and helps create a good image for their country. So our behaviour and attitude are really important and visitors judge our country on this conduct,”

Most of the entertaining happens in the main pond, where the biggest crocs are confined, which has a boardwalk to allow up-close-and-personal viewing. For those safety-conscious types out there the boardwalk looks and feels solid enough and there are high rails.

The sky is dark though and the sun still some way off but threatening to crest the horizon. Looking at Bagan, the city visited many times growing up, from the sky in the early hours of morning is something that I had never expected to experience in my life.