The Treasures of Burma -- November 2015

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

THE TREASURES

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THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Beguiling Burma, with her shimmering pagodas, proudly held traditions, and complex history, is finally re-emerging as a travel destination—and rightly so. As Rudyard Kipling wrote over a century ago, Burma is “quite unlike any land you know about.”

We invite you on a privileged journey to this mysterious country, long hidden from Western eyes. Joining us is David Bowles, who as a Museum educator not only trains staff in creating engaging visitor experiences, but leads many gallery talks himself. Mr. Bowles’ expertise in the sacred art of Asia will enhance our ability to appreciate the ancient monuments and timeless traditions of Burma.

TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS A four-night stay at the majestic Strand Hotel in Yangon, built during the British colonial era An optional hot-air balloon ride over the temple-studded landscape of Bagan, known as “the City of Pagodas” An excursion to Mount Popa, a soaring volcanic peak crowned with gold stupas, monasteries, and shrines devoted to animist spirits, or nats A visit to an atelier to learn about the time-honored art of making gold leaf A private a cappella performance focused on Burmese musical traditions at the Gitameit Music Center Yangon’s impressive pagodas, including Chaukhtatgyi, with its colossal reclining Buddha, and shimmering Shwedagon, immortalized by Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling A sampan cruise at sunset at U Bein Bridge in Amarapura A two-night cruise to Mandalay aboard the elegant river vessel R.V. Paukan 2007

TRAVELING WITH YOU DAVID BOWLES oversees the strategic planning, program implementation, and evaluation of all aspects of guided K-12 school tours at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which serve approximately a quarter of a million visitors each year. In addition to leading regular gallery talks, he trains Museum volunteers and staff to lead engaging gallery experiences that invite all types of visitors to discover great works of art from across the collection. Before joining the Met, David served as Manager of School Programs at the Rubin Museum of Art, a dynamic institution devoted to the art of Himalayan Asia, India, and neighboring regions. He earned his M.S. Ed in Museum Education from Bank Street College and a B.A. in Art History with Honours from McGill University.

We hope you will join us for this exceptional opportunity to discover this enigmatic land.

Sincerely,

Nina McN. Diefenbach Vice President for Institutional Advancement

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November 8 to 22, 2015 ________________________

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YANGON Wednesday, November 11

Photo by sydbad

Following a morning lecture by David Bowles, visit the colorful Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, with its colossal reclining Buddha. Continue to the ancient Sule Pagoda, housing a sacred strand of the Buddha’s hair. At Kalaywa Monastery, witness a moving lunch ceremony as 1,200 student monks and nuns gather for their midday meal. See the Shwedagon Pagoda, the golden stupa overlooking the city from its hilltop location, awash in the glow of sunset. The place of prayers and offerings, the pagoda is the spiritual heart of Yangon.

Dinner is at a local restaurant.

YANGON Thursday, November 12 Shwedagon Pagoda

NEW YORK Sunday, November 8

Depart New York on an overnight flight to Bangkok.

BANGKOK, THAILAND Monday, November 9

Today’s visits include the lively Bogyoke Aung San Market, offering everything from straw baskets to silk and rubies. After lunch, visit the National Museum, housing priceless artifacts including a 26-foot high, jewel encrusted Lion Throne which belonged to the last king of Burma. Later enjoy a private a cappella performance focused on Burmese musical traditions at the Gitameit Music Center. Dinner is at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Bangkok this evening and transfer to the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, where rooms are reserved for the night.

BANGKOK

YANGON, BURMA

Following a leisurely breakfast, depart on an early afternoon flight to Yangon, Burma’s largest city, whose history dates back 2,500 years. Originally a fishing village, it became a significant trading port in the 18th century. An orientation tour will introduce us to major landmarks, including the City Hall and other impressive colonial-era buildings. Check in to your deluxe suite at the historic Strand Hotel, where personalized butler service is included. Gather for dinner at the hotel, with welcome remarks by David Bowles.

THE TREASURES

Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure

Tuesday, November 10

Young Buddhist monks OF

BURMA

BAGAN Sunday, November 15

You may wish to rise early today for an optional hot air balloon ride over the city. Then visit the Archaeological Museum, followed by nearby temple sites. After lunch, observe artisans who create the lacquerware for which Bagan is famous. Later, a pony cart tour includes a stop at the 13th-century temple of Tayok Pye. Dinner is at a local restaurant.

BAGAN

MOUNT POPA, BURMA

Monday, November 16

Photo by Ma Poupoule

Attend a morning lecture before driving to Mount Popa, known as Burma’s Mount Olympus. The dramatic towerlike volcanic plug houses a complex of monasteries and pagodas that can be reached by climbing a winding staircase of 777 steps. We will also see the shrines devoted to the mythical nat spirits. Following lunch, return to Bagan. Dinner is under the stars against the backdrop of ancient temple ruins.

Mount Popa

YANGON

BAGO, BURMA

Friday, November 13

BAGAN

A full-day excursion takes us outside of Yangon to Bago, which according to legend, was founded in 573 A.D. by two Mon princes. At the center of a trade network extending across the Indian Ocean, the Mon kings of Bago (formerly Pegu) amassed great wealth. Today, overshadowed by Yangon, Bago is a provincial market town although it does retain many superb Buddhist monuments whose scale and splendor evoke its golden age. Designed after Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda, the most venerable attraction in Bago is the gilded Shwemawdaw Pagoda (Golden Shrine), which stands taller than Shwedagon Pagoda. Dinner is in Yangon this evening.

YANGON

EMBARK R.V. PAUKAN 2007 Tuesday, November 17

After a leisurely morning, embark the R.V. Paukan 2007.

Settle in to your upper-deck cabin for a two-night cruise along the Irawaddy River to Mandalay. Lunch is served on board before an afternoon tour of a typical river village. Return to the ship for dinner as the sun sets over the landscape of glowing pagodas.

BAGAN, BURMA

Early this morning, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Bagan. Known as “the City of Pagodas,” Bagan is considered one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. The next three days are devoted to seeing some of the most impressive of the city’s 1,000 remaining temples and monasteries built during the 10th and 11th centuries. The order of our visits will depend on local conditions but in general will include morning visits to Ananda Temple, Htilominlo Temple, Sulamani Temple, and Shwezegon Pagoda. Afternoon visits include local markets and artisan workshops. Dinner and overnight are at the Bagan Lodge, where each room features a private veranda.

NOVEMBER 8

Photo by Daniel

Saturday, November 14

Pottery in Yandabo TO

22, 2015

BAGAN TO MANDALAY CRUISE Wednesday, November 18

DISEMBARK R.V. PAUKAN 2007 MANDALAY, BURMA

Photo by Deborah Tarr

Today visit Yandabo, known as the pottery village.

Observe various stages of production as terracotta pots are made from riverbank clay. One person can make 30 to 50 pots per day, which are used for water or food storage.

Return to the R.V Paukan and relax as the ship is moored at a nearby village, just a few miles from the Ava Bridge spanning the Irawaddy.

U Bein Bridge

MANDALAY

Thursday, November 19

Friday, November 20

Disembark near Mandalay, a showcase of 19th-century Burmese art and architecture and capital of Burma from 1860 to 1885, and arrive at the Mandalay Hill Resort. With panoramic views of myriad pagodas and the distinctive architecture of the Royal Palace complex, the resort is a retreat from the bustle of the city. After lunch, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, with Buddhist scriptures inscribed on 729 large marble tablets. See the nearby Shwenandaw Monastery, a grand example of local teak architecture featuring intricate carvings of Buddhist myths. Stop to browse traditional craft markets before concluding at the meandering U Bein Bridge. Enjoy a private sampan cruise at sunset before dinner at the hotel.

Attend a morning lecture prior to our visit to the important 12th-century Khmer bronze statues at the Mahamuni Pagoda. Continue to the Mandalay Cultural Museum and a workshop where 24-karat gold is transformed into thin sheets of gold leaf by traditional methods. Lunch and the afternoon are at leisure before this evening’s farewell dinner.

MANDALAY

BANGKOK

NEW YORK

Saturday, November 21 & Sunday, November 22

Following a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok. The ongoing flight to New York departs later this evening, arriving in the U.S. the next day.

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART The Treasures of Burma

N ove m be r 8 t o 22, 2015

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PROGRAM RATE $10,995 per person, double occupancy SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $2,175 RATE INCLUDES Ten nights hotel accommodations and two nights upper deck cabins aboard R.V. Paukan 2007 Buffet breakfast daily, ten lunches, and eleven dinners; beer / wine with welcome and farewell dinners Escorted sightseeing and entrance fees Airport / hotel / airport group transfers; porterage for one bag per person Economy class group flights Bangkok / Yangon / Bagan‌Mandalay / Bangkok Taxes and service charges; gratuities to guides and drivers NOT INCLUDED IN RATE Airfare between home city and Bangkok; passport and visa fees; meals not specified; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; airport transfers for those not on group flights; excess baggage; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Nat statue in Shwedagon

TERMS & CONDITIONS AIRFARE Academic Arrangements Abroad (AAA) will be pleased to assist with air travel arrangements for this program, including specially negotiated group airfare when available, suggested group flights, or your own individual requests, for a processing fee of $40 per person. Complete details will be provided in your confirmation mailing.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE A deposit of $2,000 per person, payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees, is required with the reservation application. Final payment, by check only, must be received 120 days prior to departure.

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On the front cover: Seated Buddha with Double-Lotus Base, The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2003.295a, (Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving and The Vincent Astor Foundation Gifts, 2003.

On the back cover: Bagan temples. Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure.

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THE TREASURES OF BURMA N o vem be r 8 t o 22, 2015

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