Wales Tourism and Visit Planning

Original Yangon, Kyaiktiyo Golden Rock, Bago, Mandalay, Pindaya Caves, Bagan, Kalaw, Inle Lake There are few countries in the world with the allure of Burma (Myanmar). Through years of isolation, it has managed to retain many of its cultural traditions and historical heritage. A visit to Burma is in many ways similar to a journey back in time, to an Asia from a bygone age. Day 1 Arrive Yangon Arrive in Yangon at any time. Day 2 Kyaiktiyo (1B) Visit the home of the Golden Rock a sacred boulder covered in gold and balanced atop a cliff. Day 3 Bago (1B) This provincial capital is filled with open-air markets selling handicrafts and goods made by local cooperatives. Day 4 Flight to Mandalay (1B) Visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon before catching an afternoon flight to Mandalay. Day 5-6 Mandalay (2B) Wander the ancient history of the old capital of Mandalay, where the last king of Burma held court. Day 7-9 Bagan (3B) Explore what was once a great and populous capital, and what is still one of Asia's most awesome and mystical spectacles. Gaze out over the many pagodas which dot the horizon. Day 10- Kalaw (B) Drive through the scenic Shan State to the former British Hill Station of Kalaw. Day 11-12 Inle Lake (2B) Drink in the tranquility of this serene body of water and its floating gardens. Tribal villages, monasteries and stupas line the shores of a lake surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Day 13 Yangon (1B) Take a trip to Scott's Market, where you will find a wonderful array of Burmese handicrafts - wood carvings, textiles, lacquerware, silver and brassware, masks and puppets, and musical instruments. G.A.P Adventures top adventure tour operator - G.A.P Adventures . July 6, 2007 G.A.P Adventures is pleased to announce that it has been voted as a top adventure tour operator by Canadian agents. Over 4, 000 travel agents participated in this year's Baxter Travel Media 2007 Agents' Choice Awards. The survey is one of the largest polls of travel agents in Canada and G.A.P Adventures ranked the highest among all adventure travel operators listed in the tour operator category. "G.A.P Adventures greatly values its partnership with agents and we re delighted in the confidence they have placed in us, says Brad Ford, Business Development Manager. Our worldwide sales teams provide dynamic product, brand, and destination support programs to empower the travel agent in their efforts to sell the best adventures on the market. Agent focused programs include: *A superior product offering and trusted brand *Excellent sales support staff *SHERPA booking engine, the adventure industry s most complete online booking engine where agents can create new bookings and options, make amendments, download trip documents and order new brochures. *Centralized partner-specific training *Preferred partner sales support projects and promotions. Trip Reviews Cuba Colonial Cuba Colonial was an excellent way to see more of the real Cuba--6 different cities in which to live and eat (and dance) with the locals. Our tour leader had so much knowledge about life in Cuba that I learned more than I ever thought I would and the trip has left me wanting for more. Karen Lee Van Burkleo Canada View this trip: CCC . HEALTH

Dangers and Annoyances

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Germany is a very safe country to live and travel in, with crime rates that are low by international standards. Most crimes occur in big, densely populated cities, with Berlin leading the pack, followed by Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Frankfurt. Theft and other crimes against travellers are rare, although keeping an eye out for pickpockets in crowded places is always wise. Train stations tend to be magnets for the destitute and drug-dependent who might harass you or make you feel otherwise uncomfortable, especially at night. City parks should also be avoided after dark. Encounters with groups of intoxicated soccer fans, especially those whose team has just lost, can lead to unprovoked confrontations. Skinheads, called Glatzen (literally 'baldies'), are another potential source of conflict as they too tend to have sudden violent outbursts, especially against people they perceive as 'foreign-looking'. These individuals have also been known to infiltrate otherwise peaceful political demonstrations and to provoke fights simply for their own amusement. Because of their erratic and unpredictable behaviour, keeping your distance from such hooligans is a smart move. If you do find yourself in a threatening situation, try not to provoke these people; get away from the scene as fast as possible and notify the police. EVENTS. Just about everything that can close will close on a religious holiday, so it's important to know when they fall. Iran's religious holidays follow the Muslim lunar calendar, so the dates according to the Western calendar vary each year. Major events include Ramazan, the month of dawn to dusk fasting; Eid- Fetr, the one day festival of feasting that marks the end of Ramazan; Ghadir- Khom, which commemorates the day that the Prophet Mohammed appointed Imam Ali his successor; and the birthday of Mohammed. National holidays follow the Persian solar calendar, but still usually fall on the same day each year according to the Western calendar. The big bangers include the lustily titled Magnificent Victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on 11 February, which is the anniversary of Khomeini's coming to power in 1979; the enthusiastically celebrated No Ruz or Iranian New Year (21 to 24 March); and the tear-jerking Heart-Rending Departure of the Great Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran on 4 June, which commemorates the death of Khomeini in 1989. Cairns Travel Guide . Latest Travel Advisories Tibet Advisory Adventure Tours Affected in Tibet Trip Reviews Kayak Panama This was my first time with GAP and I could not have been more pleased. Our leader, Bernabe, made contact the very first day, organizing a trip to the local mall for supplies for the week. Then, all of the leaders made this secluded island getaway better than I ever thought it would be. Kayaking from island to island, snorkeling with brilliant fish and falling asleep to crashing ... [more] Magen Panfil United States View this trip: PKP . Recent posts from the Watering Hole forum: Cape and Dunes - Original or overland

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Trip Insurance

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Team B chat Our Stores Events Visit one of our stores and attend an upcoming event. Tibet Advisory Adventure Tours Affected in Tibet . Trip Reviews Voyage Galapagos The Galapagoes is an incredible place. Our guide was knowledgeable and easy-going, but very organized. I think we had a very good experience. The crew was lovely, the food good and the accommodations fine. The contact in Quito was friendly and knowledgeable. Anne Bridge View this trip: EV10P . EVENTS. The Qu bec City Winter Carnival, which takes place during the first two weeks of February, features parades, ice sculptures, a snow slide, dances and music. Ottawa's three-week Winterlude fetes all things snowy and starts in early February. The Montr al Jazz Festival in late June or early July and the Ottawa International Jazz Festival in late July both attract international and local players. Two major events in Toronto are Caribana, held in July, which is a Caribbean festival of music, dancing and wild costumes, and the Pride Week, whose events are held throughout the downtown area in late June, culminating in an outrageous Pride Parade. In September, there's the Toronto International Film Festival. Calgary hosts the popular Calgary Stampede in the second week of July; the highlights are the chuck wagon race and rodeo. In the west, Victoria celebrates the First Peoples' Festival in early August with traditional craftwork, dancing and war-canoe rides. Some public holidays are only celebrated regionally. They are: 3rd Monday in February - Family Day (Alberta); Monday nearest March 17 - St Patrick's Day (Newfoundland); Monday nearest April 23 - St George's Day (Newfoundland); June 24 - National Day (or St-Jean-Baptiste Day, Qu bec); Monday nearest June 24 - Discovery Day (Newfoundland); Monday nearest July 12 - Orangemen's Day (Newfoundland), and 3rd Monday in August - Discovery Day (Yukon). MONEY. Currency Name

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Iranian Rial (IR) WorldGuide Index Prices

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Item Price cup of coffee Iranian Rial 3500.00 can of soft drink Iranian Rial 2000.00 haircut for man Iranian Rial 30000.00 haircut for woman Iranian Rial 50000.00 meal in a cheap restaurant Iranian Rial 20000.00 one hour online Iranian Rial 10000.00 average museum ticket Iranian Rial 40000.00. two pack of toilet paper Iranian Rial 7000.00 litre of petrol Iranian Rial 800.00 1.5 litre bottle of water Iranian Rial 2500.00 pot of tea in a teahouse Iranian Rial 5000.00 street snack (sausage sandwich) Iranian Rial 3500.00 Average Room Prices

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In 2006 the US government quietly removed Libya from its list of states sponsoring terrorism. It seemed the metamorphosis was complete. For the first time in decades, Libyans are optimistic, convinced that the future is theirs. holiday wales

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Trip Reviews Inca Heartland

The trip was amazing!!! Lula, our tour leader, was professional, enthusiastic, and had a great sense of humour. She was our teacher, kept us on schedule, and was our nurse when we felt unwell. It was fortunate for our group to also have a group leader trainee along for her first trip, Paula Quiros. Paula was an asset to our group and a real pleasure to spend time with. She will ... [more]. accommodation holiday wales

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Saving Photos

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CULTURE

. Pre 20th Century History adventure holiday wales

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The Malagasy people are a mixture of Asians and Africans, and have been on Madagascar for 1500 to 2000 years, although stone artefacts indicate an older culture possibly existed there. Most of the immigrants were Malay-Polynesians, who crossed the Indian Ocean from Indonesia and South-East Asia, but people came from eastern Africa as well. African slaves, Arab, Indian and Portuguese traders, European pirates and French colonists all mixed with the population to eventually create the 18 official tribes or clans inhabiting the island today. The first Malagasy brought the food crops that they d grown in South-East Asia with them, and the agricultural regions with their endless rice paddies today look as if they belong in Asia rather than Africa. holiday park south wales

Marco Polo reported Madagascar s existence in the narrative of his travels, and it was also known to Arab cartographers. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive, in a fleet under the command of Diego Dias in 1500. In the centuries that followed, the Portuguese, Dutch and British all failed to establish permanent bases on the island, but from the 17th century, bands of outlaws succeeded where their governments had failed. Pirates contributed booty, buried treasure, and genes to the island s population, especially around le Sainte Marie. At one stage when they were just saying no to piracy in the Caribbean, more than 1000 English, French, Portuguese, Dutch, American and other pirates were based on Madagascar s east coast. They used it as a convenient base to attack ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope. cottage holiday wales

Increasing trade in arms and slaves with Europeans brought about the rise of Malagasy kingdoms, and small, rival states eventually emerged. By the late 18th century, the Merina clan had begun to dominate. The British signed a treaty in 1820 recognising Madagascar as an independent state under Merina rule, and British influence remained strong well into the 20th century. But by 1883, the British had gone cold and France had become the recognised and sole European power in Madagascar (in exchange for French recognition of British sovereignty in Zanzibar). holiday in wales

The French invaded in 1895, surprising Merina defences and setting up a colonial administration. They sent Queen Ranavalona III into exile in Algeria in 1897, effectively abolishing the monarchy, and attempted to suppress all British influence and crush the Malagasy language, declaring French the official language. Although the French abolished slavery in name on the island, in practice they introduced a repressive tax regime that amounted to forced labour. Land was expropriated by foreign settlers and companies, primarily for use as coffee plantations. holiday wales

Modern History

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During WWII Britain invaded, ostensibly to prevent Japan from using Madagascar as an Indian Ocean base. The British handed it back to de Gaulle s free French in 1943. Post-war, Madagascar underwent a nationalist backlash; many Malagasy had been trained to French standards and were no longer willing to be second class citizens in their own country. The 1947 revolt was crushed at the cost of many thousands of Malagasy lives, but the rot had set in. cottage holiday in wales

Several indigenous political parties were born in the 1950s, and when de Gaulle returned to power in France in 1958, the Malagasy voted to become an autonomous republic within the French community of overseas nations. Madagascar underwent a peaceful transition to independence in 1960, although the colons, as the French settlers were called, still pulled the strings. Philibert Tsiranana refused to establish a dialogue with any communist nations. He ferociously repressed a revolt in the country s south in 1972, which was the beginning of his undoing. He resigned soon after and handed power to his army commander, General Gabriel Ramantsoa. caravan holiday in wales

The economy began a slow nose dive almost straight after independence. When it withdrew from the Communaut Financier Africaine (CFA), the nosedive gathered pace as the French farming community departed wholesale, taking capital, skills and technology with them. A quick shuffle of army general presidents - one of whom was assassinated after only a week in office - couldn t stem the haemorrhaging economy. A new group of officers led by Admiral Didier Ratsiraka had a shot at the top job, nationalising banks and other major businesses without compensation. camping holiday wales

By the late 1970s Madagascar had severed all ties with France and the government was seriously courting communist nations. A mounting debt crisis in 1981-82 prodded the government to slow its reforms, and to trot out the standard austerity measures the IMF demanded as terms of a loan. The economy improved marginally with the IMF s programs, but quickly slumped again. Ratsiraka won the election in March 1989 under dubious circumstances, which led to riots. More came in 1991 when peaceful demonstrators were killed by North Korean-trained presidential guards in front of Ratsiraka s opulent new palace (built with North Korean aid). The early 90s was plagued by civil unrest. After a four year rule by Professor Albert Zafy that failed to unite the country or overcome years of bureaucratic misrule, Ratsiraka was voted back into power in 1996, to almost universal surprise. That less than 50% of the 6.5 million registered voters bothered to cast a ballot indicates that the Malagasy had little enthusiasm for any of the candidates. accommodation holiday wales

Following his 1996 reelection, Ratsiraka helped negotiate a deal with the IMF and World Bank that led to the privatisation of several important economic sectors, resulting in both a greater expansion of the economy and higher inflation. Growing opposition to Ratsiraka led to the popularity of Marc Ravalomanana, the mayor of Antananarivo. holiday last minute wales

Recent History

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The results of presidential elections in December 2001 were inconclusive, with both Ratsiraka and Ravalomanana claiming victory. Eventually, after much to-do involving mass strikes and protests, Ravalomanana declared himself president in February 2002 and set up shop in the capital of Antananarivo, while Ratsiraka and his forces moved to the port city of Tamatave. Ratsiraka fled to Paris several months later although forces loyal to him still operate, sometimes preventing supplies from reaching the capital. catering holiday self wales

Ravalomanana soundly defeated the fragmented opposition in elections in December 2002, thus securing the legitimacy he needed. The new president set about reforming the country s ruined economy, and announced salary increases for politicians in an effort to stamp out corruption. He generally made the right noises to the World Bank which, along with France and the US, pledged more than US$20 billion in aid. holiday wales walking

In December 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami hit the east coast of Madagascar, destroying infrastructure and leaving close to 1000 people homeless. Ravalomanana won a second term in office in 2006, and in April 2007 a referendum endorsed constitutional reforms that will increase presidential powers and make English an official language. Madagascar is ready for take-off , Ravalomanana told a press conference. For the moment, most people seem to share his belief. family holiday wales

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