News by Kyaw Han, Photo by Aye Than
Following are the voices heard at Yangon-Mandalay express way 115 miles rest station and Pho Kyar Elephant Camp from public servants and people who were going on a vacation during Thadingyut holidays.
Ma Tin Zar Win (company employee)
I left Yangon to visit my parents in Myaing. I’m paying respect to my parents and the elders. During a five-day holiday, I can return to my parents as well as visit some pagodas too.
Ma Theint Theint Maw (garment factory worker)
I work in a garment factory in Mingaladon Industrial Zone. As it was a five-day holiday I’m visiting my parents in Myaing. Afterwards I’ll pay homage to pagodas in Pakokku with friends from Myaing. As I bought my express bus ticket in advance, I had no problem. But some who try to buy it in short notice were unable to get it. (Thadingyut) Holiday last year was only three days. This year it was five days. So I have enough time to visit my parents and also pay homage to elders back home. Such long holidays are convenient to do good deeds as well as to go on a pilgrimage.
U Ko Ko Maung (Staff officer, Agricultural Mechanization Department)
My duty station is Mandalay. I’m returning to my family in Yangon to pay homage to the elders during the holiday. Also plan to take family to where they want to go too. As I’m free only in such long holiday, the time will be given to the family. I have no other programme except to visit Mawlamyinegyun.
Daw Ni Ni Khine (school teacher)
I’m from Bago and going to Toungoo to attend a course. Once I arrive in Toungoo, I plan to visit pagodas nearby before attending the course. As I’m attending a course during the holiday, I wouldn’t be going anywhere else.
U Aung Win Htay (tour guide)
During this holiday I plan to guide tourists to ethnic villages to Kayah State, Taunggyi, Nyaungshwe and Inle. As a tour guide, I’m always travelling. This month there were quite a number of visitors visiting Kayah State. Now I’m going to fetch my nieces who are attending school in Yangon as their schools closed for ten days.
U Thein Myint (traveller)
I’m travelling to Taunggyi and Inle with my family and departed from Hlinethaya. The whole trip will be about five days. As my sons and daughters were also office workers, we plan to go on this trip during the holiday.
Our family hadn’t been able to travel as a family for quite a long time. This will be the family’s second trip to Inle. We plan to go on to Pindaya too.
Daw Kaythi Oo (company employee)
Holiday last year was only three days, so I couldn’t go too far and only went to nearby places. This year the holiday was five days so I left Yangon to visit Taunggyi, Inle and Pindaya. This region had a lot of places to visit and the long holiday will allow me to visit all. If the holiday was short, we couldn’t go too far. May all be happy and may there be peace in the country.
U Aung Maung (retired assistant lecturer)
I retired after working in Yankin Education College. Now I’m going to Kachin State Myitkyina to attend a ceremony paying homage to teachers. I’m sure workers and public servants will be happy about the long holiday as the majority was working in duty stations that are not their home towns. May the leaders of the country be happy together with the people during this holiday.
U Kyaw Kyaw Bo (traveller)
I came from Pyin Oo Lwin with my family and was visiting Pho Kyar Elephant Camp. Afterwards we’ll go to Toungoo. From there, we’ll go to Chaungtha. On the way back, we’ll go to Yangon. Last year we went to Taunggyi. This year, as the holiday was long, my family can go to more places and relax. We’ll also get some new experiences.
Tun Tun Win (traveller)
I came to visit Pho Kyar Elephant Camp after hearing about it from friends who were here before. I look forward to watching the elephant given a bath at noon. From here, I’ll go to Toungoo and on to Chaungtha.
U Zaw Oo (Mahout)
At the moment there’s only a few visitors coming to the camp. But soon, the place will be crowded as visitors come on weekends and long holidays. There are 13 elephants in our camp. The elephant will perform many things like playing balls, walking on a log and standing up on their hind legs.
(Translated by Zaw Min)
