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What
Clients Have to Say |
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If you have any comments on your traveling
experiences with Arcadia Travels please
post your comments here. |
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Michael and Frances Baylson (Philadelphia, USA)
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We give full credit to Kyaw Soe's leadership for a wonderful
visit to Myanmar for 13 days in December-January, 2011-12! The
highlights were four days trekking to remote villages in the
eastern portion of Shan state, staying in Kengtung. Everything
was planned and executed with foresight, care and sustained
interest. Kyaw Soe is a very sophisticated man who knows the
history and culture of his country very well and shares all with
his clients; he has full fluency and idiomatic knowledge of
English.
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Joanna and Larry Miller (New York City, USA)
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Our recent trip to Myanmar in December 2011 was everything we
hoped it would be and more - and the "more" is attributable to
our superb guide, Kyaw Soe. From the first time we received an
e-mail from Kyaw Soe to the time Audrey escorted us to the
airport in Yangon, we were in the hands of consummate
professionals whose passion is the culture
and people of Myanmar and the comfort and well being of their
clients. Kyaw Soe is a guide extraordinaire. His encyclopedic
knowledge, magnetic personality, enthusiasm, and responsiveness
to client interests are a recipe for a truly unique and
memorable visit to Myanmar. Each day brought a "surprise" that
enhanced our experience; each day brought new encounters with
people and families that enriched our understanding of daily
life and culture; and each day we reveled in the splendor and
serenity of temples, pagodas, monasteries, and nunneries. Visits
to local markets, walks in the streets, culture past and present
combined to make an experience not to be forgotten. Kyaw Soe is
a guide with extraordinary skill, a way of engaging people, and
excellent command of English - a blueprint for a magical trip
experience!!"
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Jorge Silberstein (Mexico City, Mexico)
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We travelled through Southeast Asia this summer August 2011. In
Myanmar Arcadia Travels arranged our tour and allowed us to see
more than a tourist visit. We highly enjoyed the tour from
planning it to seeing it. It was more than we have hoped for! |
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Stan Sutton "nats" (California, USA)
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Burma (Myanmar) was on my bucket list...and I just returned! I
am so grateful that a new acquaintance " Fredric Roberts'' of
mine recommended KYAW SOE as a guide...what a trip in February
and March 2011 for 24 days! Kyaw Soe and his wife Audrey own
Arcadia Travel, out of Yangon. They are such a knowledgable
team, with more than a decade of experience. I notified him with
my times site requests and he expanded it into the best trip I
have been on anywhere in the world (and I have been fortunate to
cover a lot of it!) He has such a love for his country, that
from sunrise to sunset each day he shared the history, the
sites, and the surprises of Burma! He is also a pretty good
photographer and set up many wonderful photos, with the people
and places of Burma(Myanmar)! Sunset each day was always a
highlight. Kyaw Soe's people skills, which are amazing, gained
us entrance into many private opportunities...such as tribal
villages, cottage business, etc. What really impressed me was
his timing...he had the entire trip timed to perfection so that
all opportunities were maximized and ran smoothly! No problem
is truly his lifestyle. By far the funniest road sight was a
large elephant packed sideways in the front of a loaded
truck...didn't get the picture, but have the memory forever! I
am sure memories will continue to crop up for some time, but I
wanted to get the word out there to all of you who might have
Burma(Myanmar) on your list of destinations... Kyaw Soe will
give you the trip of a lifetime! |
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Selena and Steve Wilson (Seattle, Washington, USA)
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We had an excellent experience traveling with Arcadia in
December 2010. All the accommodations were top-notch, and there
was no hiccup on travel schedule at all. We felt very special
everywhere we went, thanks to Kyaw Soe's good reputation and
connection. We got special attention at the River Boat, the Inle
Lake Princess Hotel, hot air Balloon, and at the Strand Hotel.
Thanks. The suite at the River Cruise was very special and we
thoroughly enjoyed it. The cruise also gave us time to relax. It
was a good break in the middle of the trip. Again, thanks for a
great trip. |
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Leslye Kohl (New York City, USA)
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I visited Burma for the third time in December (2002, 2006 and
2010). This is also the third time I have used Kyaw Soe as my
guide and the second time he has organized my entire trip. It
doesn't get any better than this! Kyaw Soe was with me every day
to be my guide and make sure that every aspect of my trip went
as planned—with Audrey a phone call away to help if there was a
problem.
Although we had organized my trip a year ahead, two weeks
before I was supposed to arrive, Air Bagan changed their flight
schedule to Putao, which is where I had to fly to get to Malika
Lodge. We had to change my stay there from three nights to two.
The day I was supposed to fly there, Air Bagan had engine
trouble and after spending hours at the airport in Yangon we
finally boarded the plane—only to find out they were just flying
as far as Mandalay. There was no other way to get to Putao. Kyaw
Soe and Audrey had to rearrange the rest of my trip while I was
there—which was not easy. I was lucky that I was traveling with
them!
It is so much fun traveling with Kyaw Soe. Not only is he fun
and so knowledgeable, but he has friends everywhere. Everywhere
we went he photographed people (photos he would have made into
prints) and also delivered photos to people that he had taken on
previous trips. He's the "goodwill ambassador" for Burma.
The only way to see Burma is with Arcadia Travels—Kyaw Soe
and Audrey! |
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Katie & Amnon Rodan (San Francisco, CA)
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We visited Myanmar in November 2010 and it was a
trip of a lifetime—a truly memorable experience that we will be
talking about for years. Because of Kyaw Soe, we learned so much
about the culture and history of Myanmar. He arranged our trip
so that we could visit the annual balloon/firework festival, see
the most important Pagodas and temples, and relax and enjoy the
beauty of the Inle Lake with its gorgeous floating villages.
Kyaw Soe attended to every detail of our stay, making it hassle
free. His English is impeccable and he is a delight to travel
with. No doubt, Kyaw Soe, is one of the best guides we have ever
had in our extensive travels. |
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Bob Geddes (Portland, Oregon, USA)
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I am not sure whether Myanmar is magic or Kyaw
Soe and Audrey. They just made it magic. In any event they are
the very best guides I have had over many many years of travel.
They are of course knowledgeable, articulate and fluent English
speakers.
Kyaw Soe led our group of 4 on a glorious 2 week introduction
to this beautiful land in January 2010. What really
distinguished his guidance was his obvious love for his people,
culture and country and his desire to share that love and
knowledge.
Everywhere we went he had friends or made new ones on the
spot, and we were welcomed in villages and homes, schools and
shops, parties along the road, rice mills and farms...it was
indeed the most personal travel experience I have ever had.
Audrey didn't travel with us but her fine attention to detail
was evident at every stop from my arrival to our departure
(where she handles last minute problems with tickets and baggage
that would have been quite beyond us). Don't travel in Myanmar
without Kyaw Soe and Audrey!!!! |
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Betsy Neese (Goldsboro, North Carolina, USA)
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We have just returned from the most amazing 18 days (from 19
November to 06 December 2008) in Burma under the expert guidance
of Kyaw Soe. He is able to produce magic within this country
that is the most amazing place I have ever seen and I have
traveled all over the world. The best recommendation I can give
is that I am determined that my 85 year old Mother will see this
country and I plan to take her next year God willing. Do
yourself a favor and plan a trip to this fascinating country
with the most gracious people I have ever encountered. |
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Sirkku and Theo van Assendelft (Helsinki, Finland)
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We visited Myanmar during February 6 until 25, 2008. We have
friends who had told us so much about the country and the people
there so we decided to contact Audrey at the Arcadia Travels who
had been their guide twice and whom they praised to be the best.
We had long e-mail correspondence with Audrey, when she asked
about our interests and where we wanted to go. The preparations
were really worth while, and everything worked out fine, thanks
to Audrey and Kyaw Soe. Audrey traveled with us all the time.
She speaks very good English (which is not guaranteed in these
countries). The hotels where we stayed were all excellent and we
always had a room with a wonderful view. It seems that Arcadia
Travels has very good contacts everywhere in Myanmar and
provides superb service. It is evident that two weeks is a
minimum duration for a trip to Myanmar. Ours was always three,
and not a single day we would leave out. There is so much to see
as the country is big and the nature so many-fold. We had no
difficulties what so ever, everything was peaceful in the
country. We recommend everybody to visit Myanmar where Arcadia
Travels makes the ideal partner. |
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Frances Wilson (Tiburon, CA, USA)
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What a wonderful trip! Enormous thanks to you, Kyaw Soe, for
organizing a flawless 10 days. Starting with your response to my
initial enquiry in May 2007, you were organized, efficient,
reassuring and absolutely straightforward. Planning a trip with
you was a pleasant experience; I particularly appreciated
specific reminders (visas etc) along your swift response to any
question. Once we were on the ground in Myanmar on 27 December
2007, you took charge, managing our days skillfully while you
balanced the needs and interests of each family member. We do so
appreciate your energy, enthusiasm and flexibility, your
willingness to explore all day long (literally from dawn until
dusk), your depth of knowledge on so many subjects, your perfect
English and above all your wonderful sense of humor and generous
spirit. Thank you, also, for always managing to have us in
delightful hotels, in lovely rooms and for ordering the most
sumptuous meals! |
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Alvin Lee and Sherry Chua (Singapore)
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We visited Myanmar in December 2006. Till this day, we can
recall that memorable trip and we certainly miss chatting with
the wonderful guides from Arcadia Travels.
Our main guide, Audrey, gave us a very good impression of the
professional services rendered. The experience resulted in the
commencement of my personal blog as part of my learning journey
in the burmese language. I have documented a brief description
of our December 2006 trip in one December 2007 blog post.
I strongly recommend Arcadia Travels for your memorable trips to
Myanmar, be it standard packaged or uniquely customized. |
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Rick and Marsha Chisholm (San
Francisco, CA, USA)
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Our 14-day trip to Myanmar in
October 2006 ranks as one of our best ever. The country is
without parallel in terms of beauty, interest, and the warmth
and spirit of its people. It is also refreshing to visit a place
that is still pristine and not overrun with tourists. First
among our many wonderful and vivid memories is Kyaw Soe. It was
a privilege to visit his country and to see it through the eyes
of someone so bright and intelligent and with such a keen sense
of humor. Kyaw Soe cares deeply about his country, and his
warmth, insights and perspectives really made the trip. We
strongly recommend Arcadia Travels to anyone who seeks a highly
customized adventure, luxurious accommodations and a creative
itinerary. Kyaw Soe and his wife Audrey are "best of class". |
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Leslye Kohl (New York City, USA)
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I first visited Myanmar in 2004 with Stanford University. Kyaw
Soe was our guide. I have been traveling the world for 40
years,and I had never had a guide who was so knowledgeable, so
well-spoken, so much fun! So in January 2006 I went back to
Myanmar for ten days by myself with Kyaw Soe as my guide. I had
the most wonderful trip and I hope to go again the near future.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Kyaw Soe and his
lovely wife Audrey. |
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Michael Hansen (San Francisco, California, USA)
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My wife Joann and I have traveled extensively throughout Asia
and elsewhere and can state, without reservation, that Kyaw Soe
of Arcadia Travels is the best guide we have ever had. Myanmar
is a deeply spiritual place, perhaps the best place in the world
to experience an authentic Buddhist culture. We spent two full
weeks with Kyaw Soe as our private guide as we went from Yangon
to Inle Lake, Mandalay, and Bagan. The wonders of Myanmar you
can read about on this web site or in a guide book. But,
invariably, in a remote and exotic place, a great guide makes
for a great trip. Kyaw Soe organized our itinerary to account
for our special requests. His English is perfect. He has great
attention to detail skills and also great people skills. One
morning we spent nearly an hour with him at a bus stop on a busy
street in Mandalay while he told us where the various people
were going and for what purpose, and also translated for us so
we could talk to many of them. He is an expert on the amazing
temples of Bagan (where to get the best sunset view, etc.). We
were there during Water Festival in April 2005, and Kyaw Soe
knew exactly where the action was. Kyaw Soe has guided
university groups and diplomats. I couldn't imagine visiting
Myanmar and trying to learn about its wonderful, colorful
culture and monuments without his help! |
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Hal and Sue Mozer (Bellevue, WA, USA)
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We had a wonderful tour of Myanmar with Kyaw Soe
as our guide. He has extensive knowledge of his country and did
an excellent job of presenting this most interesting country to
us. We recommend Kyaw Soe as a guide for anyone wanting to visit
Myanmar. |
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Gerry and Sandy McKay (San Francisco, California)
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My wife and I have traveled extensively around
the world. Together we have visited more than 115 countries. We
have had an opportunity to experience the services of many
travel agencies and tour leaders. I can say without any
hesitation that we have never had a travel guide as efficient
and competent as Kyaw Soe and Arcadia Travels Limited. During
our 9-day visit to Myanmar in December 2003, he took us to
places that normal tour groups do not get to visit and he knew
the local hotel operators and vendors personally. We received
first class service in circumstances that can be somewhat
problematic. Myanmar or Burma is a beautiful country with a rich
history. It should be a must visit locale for anyone interested
in the many cultures of the world. No one can provide you with a
visit that will be more interesting or comfortable than Kyaw Soe
and his travel company. |
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Jack and Rebecca Parsons (Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA)
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If you have an opportunity to explore Myanmar
with Audrey as your guide do not even consider anyone else. In
all our travels we have not found anyone to come close to her in
expertise, organization, responsibility, good humor and a joy to
be with. She is simply the best. She is, in fact, one of the
major reasons we will return to Myanmar. |
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