Support Myanmar & Aung San Suu Kyi: Visit!

About once a year the country of Myanmar (formerly Burma) becomes part of the world's consciousness. It is often not good news, whether it was the Nargis typhoon or recently the extension of the sentence of Aung San Suu Kyi. The shame of it is that it would be incredibly easy for Americans or any other caring citizens to take postive action but for the most part we are content to sit back & let our governments do their best. How can you help?...It is really as simple as visiting the country in a responsible manner. It is the friendliest country I have ever visited (and I've been to nearly 40) and it is one of the best remaining values on the planet. Many of the temples are nearly as inspiring as those of Cambodia but with almost none of the tourists. A sunset cruisue on the Irrawaddy (it is inexpensive to hire a boat & guide of your own for a truely private experience) is a trip back in time as you visit villages that exist the same way they did centuries ago. And the list of unique experiences go on and on.

Personally I work hard to make a photo safari happen there each year, no matter how difficult it is to convince people it is safe and practical to go (it is). If you'd like to join me this year, we'd love to have you. The trip covers Cambodia and Burma (Myanmar) and details can be found online. This year's trip will be in December, but we'll plan another one for either December, 2010 or January, 2011. If you're interested please email us at safaris [at] cardinalphoto.com

You're probably asking why visiting is so important. Simply put, it is the best way to support the Burmese working class both with our dollars and frankly with our show of interest in their country. There is an unfortunate and mostly poorly informed effort to "boycott" tourism to Burma. This effort dates back to the era when the tourism trade there was government run and conflates the issue of putting pressure on the Burmese government with strangling the struggling middle class by cutting off one of their few forms of legitimate business. Trust me, once you have spent a week with the locals who guide and host us during our visit you will not begrudge any of them the money we spend. Many are supporting extended families and have no cash income without the visits we and others make.

We'd love to show you the wonders of Burma (and Cambodia) but even if you can't go on one of our trips but would like to visit please do let us know and we'll be happy to put you in touch with local privately owned groups who can help you organize a one of a kind trip. And as always we do welcome a constructive discussion of any of these issues.--David