What
to Expect
Working
with a small team from the UK and Yangon (Rangoon) University,
you have a chance to explore the unexplored and experience the
natural history and cultural richness of a Buddhist country untainted
by the frenetic lifestyle of the West.
Your
taking part will make a difference both to you and to the people
of Myanmar. It will provide a training opportunity for postgraduate
students from Yangon University and allow you to travel in one
of the finest and least spoilt areas of Southeast Asia.
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Expeditions
are led by Harrison Institute staff members. Dr Paul Bates studied
geography at Oxford University before completing his postgraduate
zoological studies at London University. He has led or participated
in expeditions to four continents and has worked extensively on
wildlife projects in East Africa and southern and Southeast Asia.
Malcolm Pearch is a graduate of Cardiff University and is an experienced
traveller, having undertaken biodiversity field surveys in northeast
Africa, Arabia and Southeast Asia.
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Accommodation:
Accommodation varies from simple to luxury, depending
on availability. One night may be spent in a local house
in the depths of the forest with the evening meal prepared
and eaten round a camp fire. Another will be spent in
a luxury hotel with a swimming pool and a range of bars
and restaurants. We try to balance the styles of accommodation
to ensure that we have all the benefits of being in remote,
off the beaten track locations, but also expedition members
feel relaxed and refreshed at the end of the of the trip.
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One
of our preferred hotels in Yangon (Rangoon): the Kandawgyi
Palace Hotel on the edge of the boating lake with the
Shwedagon Pagoda behind.
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Transport:
We use a wide variety of transport types.
Sometimes availability in remote places requires us to use
fairly simple systems, everything from elephants to motorised
canoes and trucks. Elsewhere, we use coaches (airconditioned
if appropriate), cars, trains and local airlines.
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Food:
Food is usually a combination of Chinese, Indian, Western
and local dishes. We have found, especially in Southeast
Asia, that the variety and extent of the fare delivered
to our tables at any one time is truly spectacular.
For instance in Myanmar (Burma), the sea food is particularly
good whilst for the vegetarian there is also a great
deal of choice, as well as for those who love duck,
garlic, ginger.....
Alcohol:
Expedition organisers tend to avoid countries where
alcohol is prohibited! In most countries there are excellent
locally brewed beers and spirits (in Myanmar, a bottle
of very drinkable gin can cost as little as 80p) as
well as more expensive imports. Yangon and Mandalay
beer, for example, are very acceptable after a long
day in the field. For the more adventurous there is
ABC stout and also toddy juice, which is tapped from
a palm tree - rather an acquired taste. Chat yat, or
country liquor (a diluted rice wine) is best avoided
unless you are prepared to suffer the consequences!!
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Expedition
organisers tend to avoid countries where alchohol
is prohibited! Local brews are often excellent substitutes
for Western brands.
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Malcolm
Pearch with Yangon University staff. |
Tasks:
All expedition members are encouraged
to become involved in at least some of the scientific
tasks. Many have been specially designed for non-specialists.
Typically they might include surveying cave complexes
for bats, conducting bird surveys (with binoculars and/or
nets), helping to conduct conservation questionnaires,
compiling photographic archives of wildlife and local
culture, or equally important, preparing drinks for
the returning field teams!
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Prices:
Each
expedition is individually priced. The price excludes
international airfares, visa, travel insurance (which is compulsory)
and alcoholic drinks. Otherwise, it is inclusive of all accommodation,
meals taken as a group and transport within the country (including
airfares, where relevant). Most participants will need only
a small amount of cash for drinks, presents and other personal
items.
For
details of future expeditions, see Diary
of Expeditions
How
to join
Those interested in joining
an expedition or finding out more about forthcoming expeditions
should contact: Malcolm Pearch at expeditions@harrison-institute.org
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