The Chocolate Way to Mandalay

By Sandra Scott


 
 


Our “Road to Mandalay” trip was paved with chocolate.

John and I are testing our theory that if we celebrate our birthdays in a foreign country they don’t count and we won’t get any older.  In keeping with that idea John celebrated his most recent birthday at the Governor’s Residence in Yangon, Myanmar, formally known as Burma.  The staff, aware that it was his birthday, prepared a special dinner. Our table in the garden was decorated with candles, flowers, and petals. The entire staff signed John’s birthday card. The music of the Myanmar harp blended beautifully with the garden waterfalls.

“This is the most beautiful setting and the best birthday dinner ever,” said John. I agreed and then it got better.  Mr. Ko Ko, the restaurant manager, presented the cake—the chocolate cakes of all chocolate cakes.  The cake was to-die-for chocolate truffle covered in a thin layer of chocolate that was decorated with the notes of “Happy Birthday.”  It could not have been more perfect because John is the real chocoholic in the family.

After a few days exploring Yangon we flew to Bagan and boarded the luxurious “Road to Mandalay” riverboat.  For four days we were treated like royalty.  With our guide we explored quaint villages, handicraft shops, and amazing Bagan, the majestic ancient city with 2000 temples.  Each evening we had a five-star dinner prepared by the ship’s French chef.  When dinner was finished the waiter brought us a plate with five pieces of chocolate. “John, how will we divide that between the two of us?”  Kidding, I added, “Maybe you could go around to the other tables and beg for their chocolate.”  As we were leaving John stopped to chat with the people at the table behind us and they gave him their plate of chocolate!  “I swear I didn’t ask for it! They don’t eat chocolate.”  Sure, John!  Who’s going to believe that! And each night the same Australian couple said to the waiter, “Please present our plate of chocolate to the Scott table with our compliments!”

Each day was something special with river vignettes we’ll never forget. One night was magical beyond belief.  Under the full moon we stood at the bow of the ship looking at hundreds of tiny, colored lights off in the distance.  To the strains of classical music, the lights, which were floating candle lanterns, slowly flowed with the current until they surrounded the ship.

In Mandalay, after viewing the world’s largest ringing bell located in the Mingun Pagoda and visiting the Shwenandaw Monastery, plus the other sites, we bid a sad farewell to the “Road to Manadalay” riverboat and headed to Lake Inle. Lake Inle is another one of the wonders of Myanmar where the fishermen stand at the tip of the boat and row using one leg and one arm, which allows them to see the fish in the water and have one hand free for casting their net.

One day we had lunch with Yannick, the manager of the Inle Princess. He must have heard about John’s penchant for chocolate because after an exquisite lunch the chocolate dessert arrived, chocolate mousse infused with Burmese tea topped with chocolate sauce and accompanied by rose sorbet and garnished with rose crunchy. A delight for the palate and the eye.

Our vacation in Myanmar ended at the Inya Lake Hotel in Yangon.  The hotel sits on a large, landscaped property located on the city’s largest lake.  Our amazing vacation that started with chocolate ended with chocolate.  The last night for desert John had Chocolate Truffle Cake garnished with strawberry drizzle and a chocolate stick cookie, accompanied with strawberry mousse.  The perfect end to a perfect vacation!

For more information check www.governorsresidence.com, www.orient-express.com, www.inleprincessresort.com, and www.inyalake.com.

 


Sandra Scott is a frequent contributor to travel publications and to Creators Syndicate
and has co-authored two books on local history. She lives in Mexico, NY.

Photos by Sandra and J. J. Scott.

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