Mandalay. What a name to evoke mental images of exotic Burma from the times of Kipling.

Here I now am in 21st century Myanmar and the town is full of sights for the many tourists who visit here at this time of year. I am struck how different I feel from the two week package visitor and feel privileged to be able to get a deeper insight into this fascinating country.

The royal palace has been reconstructed after heavy bombing by the Allies at the end of World War 2. It's another yin and yang experience for me.

Inside the palace grounds is a military camp and so I need to give in my passport and let the courteous military officer have the name of the hotel where I am staying. A guard with a rifle oversees the entrance and a sign nearby is an indication of the desired relationship between the military (tatmadaw) and the people.

Inside I meet a happy group of schoolchildren who want a photograph with me.

I also visit a number of other impressive pagodas, including those made from wood. Finally no visit to Mandalay is complete without a trip to the summit of Mandalay hill which provides a panoramic view of the plains and the cooler hills in the distance.