The Road To Mandalay

In early 2008, I travelled to Myanmar to photograph the Road To Mandalay - formerly a river cruiser that used to ply the waters of the Rhine in Germany. It had been acquired by the Orient Express company, and fitted out in the finest fashion, with rich European fabrics and Burmese teak interiors replete with beautiful artwork and fine marquetry.

Now it travelled the gentle waters of the Ayeryawaddy, bridging Mandalay and Bagan, on journeys that spanned up to seven days and seven nights.

Something about this river journey is special.

I met a Norwegian couple on board who went on cruises like most people go on drives and yet they said (and I later came to understand why) that this particular journey was one they'd remember with fondness for a long time to come.

Perhaps it was the way the Road To Mandalay felt - somewhere between a private charter and a personal luxury yacht.

That the ship begins its journey in the ancient city of Bagan is no doubt one of its appeals. For here, I saw from the highest of the temples, more ancient monuments to the gods than the eye can behold.

This was a journey above most journeys and I could fill a book with all the wonderful things that happened along the way.

Alas a handful of the images taken must go up first. I promise to fill you in on more of our journey soon...