Myanmar Smiling Tour

Route : Bangkok – Yangon - Bagan – Inle Lake – Yangon – Bangkok
Nationality : (USA)
Travel Consultant : Eric
Travel Date : 2011/12/29-2012/01/11

Comments by Kerry and Craig:

All in all, a great trip! (Except for the one exception of the drive from Mandalay to Inle Lake which I'll get into later.) I was very impressed with your service, especially in the planning stages. I would highly recommend both your company and you personally to anyone interested in travel in IndoChina.

1. What do you think of our guide service? Who impress you best and who impress you poorest?
Our guide in Bagan (WhaWha) was one of the best I've ever had. I would highly recommend her for anyone in the future. The guide in Bangkok was very nice but her English was a bit poor so she was very difficult to understand. The guide in Yangon was good, although not much personality. Inle Lake good, personable. And then Hubert who accompanied us from Mandalay to Inle Lake was fine, although we really didn't need him for anything. Plus the fact we were so unhappy about the eight hour drive, nothing would have helped.

2. What do you think of our driver service?
Drivers were all good.

3. What do you think of the hotel service and their breakfast? Can you please name the best one and the poorest one in your trip?
Hotels and Breakfast were all very good. Obviously the Shangri La in Bangkok was spectacular! The Novotel at the airport was very nice for an airport hotel. Both the Savoy and the Hotel @ Tharbar gate were good, great atmosphere, although both could have used a little maintenance, but that's probably attributable to their just being in Myanmar in general. As for the cruise, both accommodations and food were great. I would highly recommend it for your future travelers.

4. Which meal makes you memorable? Please name the reason why you like or dislike it?
The meals were consistently good, although none stands out as most memorable.

5. Would you mind sharing your pictures in the trip with us?
Craig took something like 1,800 pictures which he is sending to me. After I edit them, I'll send you some of the best.

Besides, we welcome any other suggestions or comments from you. Thank you for your time.
As you are probably aware, the one thing we were not at all happy about was the eight hour drive from Mandalay to Inle Lake. It was an absolutely horrible experience! I know it was due to Mandalay Air's schedule change, but never the less I just wish there had been another alternative. We would have gladly flown Mandalay-Bagan-Inle Lake or Mandalay-Yangon-Inle Lake if we could have avoided the drive. Also there was no communication to us after we got on the cruise ship and we were never really offered any options, so we were left with the impression that arranging for the car and driver was the most convenient solution for your company.

Thanks again for a job well done.

Sincerely,
Kerry Norwalk