Paukan is the ancient
name of Bagan, the old
city of two thousand
temples on the bank of
the Ayeyarwaddy River.
This ancient capital,
seat of the First
Myanmar Empire, is a
treasure to the people
of Myanmar. Throughout
the century of their
existence, the temples
remain a place of living
worship, maintained by
donations from royalty
and the public.
RV
Paukan was built in 2007
at the Myanmar Shipyards
in Yangon for Ayravata
Cruises. The Yangon
River and its dockyards
were commented upon over
two hundred years ago as
"the most favourable
river in the world for
naval architecture" by
the first British envoy
to Myanmar Captain
Michael Symes of His
Britannic Majesty's 7th
Regiment who arrived in
Yangon in February of
1795.
Paukan might be the
younger sister ship to
the Pandaw which was
built in 1947, but she
is a bigger vessel at
183ft 955.78m) in
length. Her beam is 38ft
(11.58m) and draft is
3.09ft (1.14m). She runs
on diesel engines, with
a speed of 10 knots.
Safety and emergency
equipment are in place,
as well as reliable
communication systems.
The
lovely Paukan is a
boutique hotel on the
river, beautifully
furnished with a unique
combination of modern
and traditional motifs.
The timber-walled cabins
are furnished with
colonial style
cupboards, dresser and
doors while the ceiling
is traditional Myanmar.
The single or double
beds are proper and
comfortable ones and not
mere bunks, enough room
for 55 passengers who
will be looked after by
a 30-member crew.
For
luxury-living, Paukan
has suites, deluxe or
superior cabins as well
as singles for guest or
guides. There are two
massage rooms on the
lower deck offering
traditional Myanmar
massage designed to give
soothing relaxation.
The
sun deck has a stage for
cultural performances,
and a bar and lounge for
relaxation and fun. The
upper deck has a
lecture/ movie room with
lcd projector and lcd TV
screen.
Meals
in the dining room on
the main deck will
include both East and
West cuisine, and dinner
menus of delicious
dishes. Vegetarian meals
can be prepared when
informed in advance. The
price is inclusive of
transfer between the
ship and airport, all
meals, sightseeing tours
and entrance fees at
monuments.
