Mogok Stone Tract
Several times I went to Mogok in search of the most desired ruby crystals. I found it always very exciting to travel from Mandalay North-East into the mountains. It takes about 5 to 7 hours depending on the conditions of the road. Mogok town lies about 1250 metres high and has some stunning views from the hills around. Today the Mogok valley is permanently closed for foreigners. Gems and mineral specimens are offered in Mandalay on the jade market and in Bogyoke market,Yangon.
You will find some interesting reading on
http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/pigeons-blood-mogok.htm
and
http://www.allaboutgemstones.com/gemstones_ruby_mogok.html
Mogok
Mandalay Jade Market
Myanmar
Myanmar (former Burma) is a very beautiful country and the people are delightful.
Foreigners need a visa and have to fly into Yangon (Rangoon) the capital city.
You can apply for a visa at any Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in your country. For Australians forms can be printed out from the website http://www.myanmarembassycanberra.com/ . The application takes about 10 days and you will be issued a four week visa which has to be started within the next three months. If you apply in Bangkok, Thanon Pan, Silom Road, it takes only two days. It is really quite easy.
The best way of traveling around Myanmar is by bus or plane. Places I like very much are the Inle Lake, Bagan, the Golden Rock and Pyin-Oo-Lwin (MayMyo, the former British administration town).
If you have any questions about traveling to Myanmar you are welcome to contact me.
Inle Lake
Bagan and Mt. Popa
Golden Rock
Pyin-Oo-Lwin
