However, the highlight of the festival occurs only after darkness falls and locals launch hundreds of lit candles onto the water “The festival has become more popular since the Sittaung Bridge connecting Shwe Kyin and Madauk was opened in February 2003,” said U Soe Yi, an official from the local information department.

The passengers, hailing from a range of countries including Spain, Canada and Russia, were treated to a traditional Myanmar dance performance on the cruise ship on their first night before being given the choice of a trip to Bagan, a trip to Mandalay, or sightseeing in Yangon, the spokesperson said.

“We will also provide performing arts courses – including singing, dancing and playing musical instruments – for 120 boys every Saturday and Sunday starting in November with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund,”

The quattro stagioni, while good, was too vinegary for my taste. The spaghetti, covered in a delicious chunky tomato sauce, was excellent but it is obviously the pizza that lures the crowds.

“Here I don’t know what they’re feeding me, even though I pay US$1500 every semester. Until now I didn’t like their food at all and I can’t believe that people can fill their stomachs with one small bucket of fried chicken and a cup of coffee,”

U Naw Thaung said the events Myanmar had the best potential to win golds in this year are rowing, canoeing and kayaking, track and field, archery, shooting, judo and sepaktakraw.

“According to the rules of Muay Thai, it’s more of a technical fight in which it is important to score points. So Myanmar kickboxers need to be clever when they fight because they’re used to fights that rely heavily on endurance.”