Raise a Glass to Aythaya Wine -- Myanmar

When people think of Myanmar, wine is probably the last thing that springs to mind, but Bert Morsbach, CEO of Myanmar’s premiere vineyard, is one of many ‘new-latitude’ vintners who hope to change that.

Back in 1997, Morsbach founded his vineyard, Aythaya Wine, among Buddhist monasteries on the slopes of Aythaya’s Taunggyi Mountains, and aimed to create a wine that could compete with the top vintners from the world’s classic wine-producing countries.

Producing wine in a tropical climate is no mean feat, and Morsbach faced many challenges and obstacles. “Had I not been convinced that we could make a quality wine up in our mountains, I would not have started the project,” he admits. And after two failed crop seasons, Aythaya Wine was finally able to present its first wine, the ‘Aythaya Red’, at Yangon’s Le Planteur Restaurant in December 2004.

Aythaya wines are part of the “new latitude wines,” which are created in places far from the traditional centers of Europe, California, Australia and South America.

In terms of wine-making, countries like Brazil, India and Thailand hope to someday stand in pride next to France, Australia and Chile and Morsbach is one hopeful contender in the movement.

The German-born vintner plans to eventually retire in Myanmar, and sees the Aythaya Vineyard as a labor of love. As part of developing the surrounding area, the vineyard has renovated a local Buddhist orphanage, earning it the name the “orphanage vineyard.” They are also currently in the process of expanding their tourist facilities, which already include five guest rooms, a restaurant and swimming pool.

Why not add a visit to the Aythaya Vineyard to a tour of Myanmar? Exotissimo Myanmar makes stops at the Aythaya Vineyard on the way to Inle Lake, where you can indulge in some wine tasting and have lunch in an intimate setting. Interested in a glass of Burmese wine? Have a look at our Essential Myanmar tour.

Zen and the Art of Cycling

Most true adventurers are well aware that cycling is really one of the best ways to explore and experience a new place. There are no barriers to separate you from the environment that surrounds you which makes for an experience that is pure, energizing and magically engaging. When combining this essential mode of travel with Southeast Asia’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and charming friendliness, you will doubtless be rewarded with a rollercoaster ride of a lifetime.

Pedaling across sandy beaches and hidden trails, ‘saddle travel’ gives you exciting access to the remote regional wonders so often bypassed by trains and buses. Explore the ancient kingdoms of Bagan and Ayuthaya, the ethnic tribal towns of Vietnam, or the scenic villages of Bangkok’s undiscovered “Urban Jungle”, and all at your own pace.

Cycling is also the ideal way to fully experience the region’s stunning and diverse scenery.

Whether pedaling through orchards or rain forests, gliding along the Mekong or spectacular coastal trails, or rising to the challenge of a hilly stretch, cycling is a sensory overload of scenes, smells and even tastes that just can’t be replicated in the confines of a car!

The freedom of biking also allows for a uniquely intimate interaction with the communities you encounter as you ride. Weaving through temples, market crowds and villagers, you can pause at any time to chat and interact with locals, take a well-earned breather and experience the customary warmth (and tasty delicacies!) of the region.

Ready to get in gear? Why not experience the adventure of cycling through Vietnam with our five day Meandering the Mekong Tour.

Tribal Nations - Living the High Life

Along the borders of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China, there are dozens of mountain-dwelling semi-nomadic people collectively known as ‘hilltribes’. Although they do share an elevated lifestyle, these colorful communities actually represent a diverse myriad of languages, cultures and belief systems.

The Akha, one complex hilltribe group in the region, are closely related to the Hani of China’s Yunnan province but speak their own distinct language which comes from a branch of the Tibeto-Burman language group. The Akha are traditionally subsistence farmers, and Akha Zang (The Akha Way) combines animism, ancestor worship and their deep relationship with the land.

Also originally hailing from Yunnan, the Lisu have primarily earned their name as a tribe alive with color, and are considered to use the greatest variety of colors of all the hill tribes. Their confident decision-making and independence is reflected in the way the Lisu use powerful combinations of colors to decorate their costumes.

The Karen are one of the largest hilltribes in Southeast Asia with a total population of about three million spread throughout Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Famed for the ‘long necks’ of their women, the Karen now live at relatively low elevations in permanent villages, and have developed environmentally sustainable terraced rice fields.

The Lahu are a strongly independent and very diverse ethnic group. In Thailand alone there are no fewer than six different Lahu tribes, some of whose languages are not mutually intelligible. Although primarily subsistence farmers, the Lahu are also proud of their hunter-warrior heritage and are strongly committed to principles of unity and working together for survival.

This brief look at just a few of these fascinating groups illustrates the complex diversity of Southeast Asian hilltribe communities.

Experience these remarkable ethnic groups for yourself on our Shan Homestay in Tham Lod.