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Myanmar

Dara and Ed arrive in Yangon, Myanmar at a time of great political change. After 50 years of brutal military rule, Myanmar recently heralded a new era of democracy.

Dara and Ed arrive in Yangon in Myanmar at a time of great political change. After 50 years of brutal military rule, Myanmar recently held its first open elections, heralding a new era of democracy. Dara and Ed visit Aung San Suu Kyi's house and see first-hand how young people are finally able to freely express their support for her with tattoos. Then, before leaving Yangon, they take part in the Buddhist Festival of Light at the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Catching the train, Dara and Ed travel north into rural areas, first to the village of Pan Pet. This is the home of the Kayan tribe, where they meet the local shaman who reads their fortune from chicken bones. Then on Inle Lake, Dara and Ed try to master the ancient art of 'leg rowing', taking part in an epic contest between two fishing villages. Travelling on to meet the Pa Oh tribe, they join a spectacular village festival of homemade rockets. Continuing north, Dara and Ed reach the ruined temples of Bagan, one of the world's most atmospheric and important Buddhist sites. The last leg of their journey takes them up the historic road to Mandalay, not in a fact a road but the Ayarwaddy River. In Mandalay, Dara and Ed visit a comedy troupe called the Moustache Brothers, with whom Ed has a very personal connection. When the Moustache Brothers were imprisoned for criticising the military regime, Ed performed gigs for Amnesty International to help campaign for their release. That they are now performing freely is a fitting symbol of the far-reaching changes in Myanmar.

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 Oct 2018 23:00

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Clips

Music Played

  • Rachel Zeffira

    Letters From Tokyo (Sayonara)

  • Nine Inch Nails

    Right Where It Belongs

  • Cliff Richard & The Shadows

    Summer Holiday

  • Agnes Obel

    On Powdered Ground

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Dara O Briain
Presenter Ed Byrne
Executive Producer Fiona Caldwell
Series Producer Pamela Gordon
Production Company Freemantle Media UK

Broadcasts

Dara and Ed's Great Big Adventure

Dara and Ed's Great Big Adventure

An epic 4,000-mile adventure on the Pan-American Highway