This was our third trip to Myanmar (Burma) using the same tour operator, Diethelm Travel, and same guide, Than Toe Win. Why do we keep returning?

- This small country has a lot to see with the Myanmar Government constantly opening new areas to tourism . There aren't many countries where you are probably the first Westerner the locals have ever seen and one of the first Westerners who have ever visited that area. With tourism growing, get there now!

- Because tourism is still relatively undeveloped, you have a chance to experience South Asia the way it once was. Albeit, without many frills.

- The hotels and food situation has improved dramatically since our first trip in 1988 when the food was inedible, and is extremely delicious.

- The people are thrilled to welcome us to their country, and intereact. Gracious, sweet people who need tourism badly, starved for outside contact, and we have a chance to make a positive impact on their lives.

With Diethlem's input and many e-mails, we planned a trip to Kyaiktiyo, Mandalay, into the Rakhine State, ending in Ngapali (pronounced Napoli) for a little R&R, an up-and-coming beach resort area. Rakhine State is a very remote area in the west of Myanmar with simple accommodations, bad roads, erratic supply of electricity but few tourists. That is a big selling point to us.