I am booked on Burma and the road to Mandalay departing on 30 October 2017.

I have, over the weekend, had a letter from JY saying that due to "increasing crowds & poor feedback" the itinery on day 5 has been changed and we no longer visit the Snake Pagoda.

This visit is still on the website itinery which has yet to be updated.

Instead, and I paraphrase, we visit a local market and go into the countryside to visit a small village to meet the local people.

Once we get to Bagan the itinery seems to be unchanged.

As a photographer who likes the opportunity to meet the locals this, to me, is a real bonus - and no need to go barefoot today! 🙂 

Ian

I was on the first trip which did visit the Pagoda but as someone who has an aversion to snakes I did not enter. Those of my Group who did said it was underwhelming so well done to JY for listening to feedback. Have a great trip - it is a fabulous country

Graham.

Thank you for the reassurance that we will not be missing out on too much (I also have an aversion to snakes) & thanks also for all the advice which is very useful.

Ian

For me Burma was about the Burmese people and by visiting local villages and markets you get plenty of opportunities to mix with them in their everyday lives.   On some tours, some of you may be in the habit of taking pencils, pens, etc. on holiday to pass to the children.  I would 100% recommend this for this trip.   There are loads of opportunities to pass them on and the young kids go wild over them.  I only wish I had taken more.

Angie

I did the first Burma trip with JY in February and did do the snake pagoda, but wasn't that impressed, so glad you are having your itinery changed. With regards to pens, pencils, soap, shampoo etc. etc. for the kids - you can buy them in the village markets which is what we did before we had our lunch with the nuns, and they distributed them. We also collected the shampoos, gels etc. from the hotels, if we didn't need them, and gave them out in the villages we visited. One lady was so excited, she immediately went off and washed her hair! The teenage boys are also interested in the combs!

Have a fantastic time. Burma is Number One in my all time favourite JY trips.

Cheers,

Hils

Sue

Do like Hils, empty the hotel bathroom of all its complimentary toiletries - many will appreciate it and it is a great way to interact with the locals.

Angie

I'm all for a bit of liberation & redistribution.....

Ian