THE speaker at the meeting on Monday, June 15 was Andrew N Gagg FRPS, who is a traveller and photographer.

His talk, entitled Burma Smiles, was illustrated by his superb photographs, and gave us a good idea of what a present day tourist can expect to see there. Burma has had a troubled history over recent years, but tourism is possible, albeit there are no direct flights from the UK. Andrew's visit therefore was via Bangkok, and involved a lot of bureaucracy. For tourists the de facto currency is the US dollar. We saw pictures of Rangoon, with its temples and colourful street scene, and of the Strand Hotel and the Pan Sea hotel, which have been attractively refurbished. The onward journey northward was by air, because roads are not very good. We saw the town of Heho, Inle Lake with its houses on stilts, the Pindiya caves. then on by air to the fascinating town of Mandalay. From there by ship to Bagan, the old capital. The cruise ships are modest in size and comfortably furnished. The tour ended with a flight back to Rangoon, and more sightseeing. Throughout the journey the images of local life, architecture and scenery were stunning, and made us aware of the glamour and fascination of the East. Even taking account of unattractive aspects of the current regime, Burma is clearly a fascinating destination.

Malvern link Probus Club meets, usually every other Monday, at the hall next to the URC church in Malvern Link.

Retired business and professional men are welcome to attend our meetings to see if they would like to join. Phone Paul Dunleavey

(01684 565190) to arrange. Our next meeting, on Monday, June 29, will be a quiz run by one of our members.

PAUL DUNLEAVEY