| After an absence of more than 12 months,
Orient-Express' Road to Mandalay river cruiser began sailing
Myanmar's Ayeyarwady River again on August 26, 2009, plying the
scenic waters between Bagan and Mandalay.
The re-launch follows a complete remodeling and
refurbishment, led by French-born and Laos-based architect
Francois Greck and carried out by teams of local craftsman,
after damage suffered in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. The
"new" ship now features larger cabins and a capacity of just 82
passengers, down from 108, making for an even more roomy onboard
experience.
The stylish new surroundings onboard, courtesy of lead
interior designer Ali Kennedy in collaboration with Ateliers de
la Péninsule, complement the color and atmosphere of the
riverbanks seen through its picture windows, while maintaining
the ship's relaxed and comfortable feeling.
A new spacious Governor's Suite and 34 new State and Deluxe
Cabins have been created with maximum comfort and en-suite
bathrooms featuring Burmese Jade wall tiles and large walk-in
showers.
The restaurant, too, has received a complete makeover with a
fresh new color scheme of soft yellows, greens and reds, which
complements the traditional Burmese natural matting on the walls
and ceiling, hand-woven by local village craftsmen. The detailed
teak wall carvings are handmade by Burmese artisans in Amanpura
near Mandalay. New chrome wall and standing lights designed by
Greck give the restaurant a more intimate feel, which is decked
out with furnishings covered in luxurious Jim Thompson fabrics
from Bangkok.
Outside, the Top Deck and Bar boast a newly laid teak floor
with comfortable large cane sofas and chairs made in Yangon. The
sun deck area features 15 new 'steamer'-style deck chairs, also
made in Yangon. Jim Thompson fabrics have been used for the
cushions.
The new Road To Mandalay Wellbeing Centre offers exercise
machines, floor workout area and changing facilities. Next door
to this is the hair and beauty treatment area, which offers a
range of relaxing treatments using Decleor products.
New menus have been developed for the re-launch of the
restaurant by Executive Chef Christian Markert-Bourdon. A
buffet-style lunch is served on the Observation Deck or in the
Restaurant in seven different themes - Burmese, Shan, Thai,
Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and European. For dinner, guests can
partake of dishes from the Asian- and European-style menus that
change daily.
The majestic pagodas and saffron-cloaked monks of ancient
Burma can once again be viewed from the serenity of the Road To
Mandalay. Cruise-only prices start from US$2,318 per person.
For further information please visit
www.orient-express.com/web/rtm/road_to_mandalay.jsp
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Operated
by Orient Express, the Road to Mandalay provides an
international standard of luxury and service previously unknown
in this part of the world. We are delighted to offer this
exclusive cruise product to our guests. The Road to Mandalay is
the most elegant and gracious way to see the magical land of
Myanmar from this vantage point which is the heart and soul of
the country…the Irrawaddy River. 
The
luxury river cruise ship has been created by Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express
from the former MS Nederland. Since 1995 this totally
refurbished ship sails between Mandalay and Bagan. The ship has
a swimming pool, a large sun deck, a spacious observation lounge
with large windows in addition to the excellent cabin
facilities, a restaurant able to accommodate all passengers in
one sitting and satellite communications. Consultant designers
were appointed to devise new internal and external decorative
schemes in sympathy with the vessels new role and the
“Orient-Express” brand.
Paukan
is the ancient name of Bagan, the old city of two thousand
temples on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. This ancient
capital, seat of the First Myanmar Empire, is a treasure to the
people of Myanmar. Throughout the century of their existence,
the temples remain a place of living worship, maintained by
donations from royalty and the public. 
RV
Paukan was built in 2007 at the Myanmar Shipyards in Yangon for
Ayravata Cruises. The Yangon River and its dockyards were
commented upon over two hundred years ago as "the most
favourable river in the world for naval architecture" by the
first British envoy to Myanmar Captain Michael Symes of His
Britannic Majesty's 7th Regiment who arrived in Yangon in
February of 1795.
