Mr Martin Wright (L), the managing director of Far Horizons, and Chief Pilot Mr Steve Myles discuss their journey at Le Planteur in Yangon on September 15. Pic: Hein Latt Aung

A UNIQUE Far Horizons adventure tour to celebrate the company’s 30th birthday stopped over in Myanmar from September 14 to 17 on its way westward from Darwin to London.

The flight aboard the propeller-driven Swearingen Metroliner III left Darwin on September 9 carrying 15 passengers, a pilot and the managing director of Far Horizons, Mr Martin Wright

The tour was scheduled to stop over in West Timor, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Malta, France and the United Kingdom.

The tour replicates – in reverse – the route of the first commercial air service between Australia and the United Kingdom that was launched on December 14, 1934, by Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, now Qantas, and Imperial Airlines, which later became British Airways.

Highlights of the journey were expected to include the temple complex of Borobodur near Yogyakarta, Indonesia; a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon; cruises on the Ayeyarwady River near Mandalay and the Ganges River at Varanasi, India; a carriage ride to the temple of Karnak at Luxor, Egypt; a visit to the Grand Master’s Palace at Valetta on the island of Malta; and the Croydon Airport Museum in London.

The tour group spent three days traversing Myanmar, overnighting in Yangon and Mandalay before jetting off to Kolkata (Calcutta) on September 17.

Mr Wright told The Myanmar Times during the group’s lunch at Le Planteur in Yangon on September 15 that he was extremely happy with how the tour was unfolding.

“It’s great because we’re always going somewhere new. I think it’s the first time that this journey has ever been recreated. We have enjoyed a good reception everywhere we’ve gone and everything is running smoothly,” he said.

Chief Pilot Mr Steve Myles said flying in the 15-seat Metroliner is very comfortable because it is equipped with a toilet and everybody has more than enough room.

One of the lucky passengers, Ms Joan Thomas, said of Myanmar: “I found the people here to be friendly and the country is beautiful. The Shwedagon Pagoda was fantastic. This has been a very interesting trip.”

Another passenger, Ms Diana Burleigh, added: “I came on this trip because when I read the itinerary, I realised that some of the locations – like Saudi Arabia – are difficult to visit and I’d never have a chance to go there otherwise.

“I’m glad to have the opportunity to come and find out about these places myself and I’m overwhelmed – this is a very beautiful country and the people are lovely,” she said.

“Those flights from London to Australia that began in 1934 carried 14 people and took 26 days. We’re reproducing those original flights in reverse and passing through some interesting countries,” said Professor George Houmel.

“We saw Shwedagon this morning and it was fantastic. Later we’ll get to see the Great Pyramids in Egypt. We’ve been living in absolute luxury too. We stayed at the Strand Hotel in Yangon, which is a beautiful hotel,” he said.

Fellow passenger Leigh Mathews said the journey thus far had been a “great adventure”.

“We’ve been to Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar so far and everything has been pleasant and exciting – especially Myanmar – and the people have been charming. We’ve heard some nice music too with xylophone and guitar, which is different but still nice.”

The cost of this expedition on Darwin to London is A$36,000 a person in twin share rooms at top hotels including Raffles in Singapore and the Oriental in Bangkok. All flights, accommodation, transfers, taxes, sightseeing fees and breakfast, lunch and dinner every day are included in the cost. However, drinks, room service, laundry and personal expenditures are extra.

Starting October 5, Far Horizons will be offering the trip in the opposite direction – heading east instead of west, whith costs the same.

“When the plane lands in London on October 2 it will stay for several days and return October 5 with another group of people. We’re going to do the same tour next year and we’re hoping to set up a regular operation,” Mr Wright said.