Myanmar

For decades, Myanmar (formerly Burma) was tightly controlled by military dictators. But international pressure and new leadership gradually opened up much of the country, and now tourists are slowly returning. Hosted by Megan McCormick, this Globe Trekker travelogue explores the spectacular scenery in this diverse nation of over 50 million people. Once the subjects of British colonial rule, vestiges of this past still remain, along with Buddhist temples and pagodas. McCormick visits the ancient city of Bagan, the population center of Mandalay (bombed and occupied by the Japanese during WWII), and numerous bustling produce markets, and looks at the nation's river systems, which stretch from the Hengduan Mountains to the Bay of Bengal. Along the way, McCormick discovers that riding the railroads can be a bone-shaking, up-close and personal experience. Of course, Myanmar's people are the main attraction here, and they take obvious pride in longstanding customs, such as women who wear neck rings or play flutes with their noses. Favorite activities include puppetry, and viewers will be surprised to learn that there is even a form of standup comedy that mocks the country's former rulers. Still, not all of the country is accessible to tourists, presumably for security reasons. Presented with Globe Trekker's usual mix of humor and practical information, this should appeal to adventurous tourists as well as armchair travelers. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Rees)