TO GO OR NOT TO GO… is that the question?

No longer.

Last night we had an inspiring talk with renowned and respected Travel Writer Michael Gebicki and I was relieved beyond description when he read out a quote from the Telegraph (UK) from 14 Sept 2009 and now available on their website:

“Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition leader, who was sentenced this week to a further 18 months’ house arrest, has dropped her opposition to tourism to Burma.
She now believes it can be encouraged, provided it is run through private operations and not through the government, and that visitors might help draw attention to the oppression of the people by the military junta. She has made her views known through a close acquaintance and former member of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).”

Although I knew Ms Suu Kyi had finally accepted that sanctions have not worked for beautiful Burma, I didn’t know she had addressed the tourism subject that had kept so many of us -conscientious objectors- away from Burma. Now there are no more excuses. Responsible tourism will help bring some badly needed money to the locals and will hopefully inspire the government to see the potential benefits of it.

Start packing your bags!  There is so much to see in this wonderful corner of the world with its golden pagodas, amazing archeological sites (such as Bagan) and gentle people.

one of the most amazing places in the world: Burma