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History of the RV Pandaw 1947
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 The
vessel that would one day bear the name Pandaw was one of the six boats
commissioned after WWII, with the same design of the pre-war IFC vessels,
for the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. After the Second World War ended in
1945 and the British returned to Burma (now reverted to the original
Burmese name Myanmar), it was understood that the country would gain her
independence soon and that the IFC and other British-owned enterprises
like timber and oil would be nationalised.
The vessels were commissioned in 1947 to the famous Yarrow & Co.
shipyard on the river Clyde of Glasgow, at a period of time when
Scotland was the greatest shipbuilding name in the world. Then, the
expression 'Clydebuilt' was synonymous with shipbuilding excellence.
The ship was boarded up to be protected from sea waves and she sailed
for Rangoon (now reverted to the original Burmese name Yangon) in 1950.
By that time, Burma has been independent for four years and the IFC has
been nationalised and turned into the Inland Water Transport Board. Many
ex-flotilla men, but no British, continued serving on their beloved
ships.
Her maiden voyage was on 12 January 1950 when she began the run between
Mandalay and Bahmo, carrying both cargo and passengers.
The river run was and is necessary, because the overland route by rail
or road remains time-consuming and at times with more delays, when
bridges or roads are damaged by monsoon rains. The river ride is always
pleasant and the view of the Second Defile that lies between Bahmo and
Mandalay is spectacular.
 In
1998 a newly-setup Irrawaddy Flotilla Company founded by art historian
Scotsman Paul Strachan chartered her from the IWTB and renovated her
into a luxury cruise ship with 16 cabins, operating the boat on the
Ayeyarwaddy River for five years until 2003. In the same year, a new
charter was signed up by Ayravata Cruises and the ship underwent a major
renovation at the Dallah Dockyards near Yangon.
While retaining the many old touches such as teak and ironwood decks,
old brass outfitting and the teak-walled spacious cabins, additional
features were incorporated to make her lovelier, more comfortable and
safe, a truly boutique-style cruise ship.
Specially-designed new furniture replaced the old, new air-conditioning,
silent generators plus new water de-sedimentation and treatment systems
installed. A new Reverse Osmosis Water Purification System and new
cooking equipments were brought for the kitchen. The vessel is now
equipped with a state of the art fire detection system. For a luxury
touch, natural handmade soap is installed in each shower and essence
burners in each cabin. The menus were completely made over and include
such succulent fare for dinner as roasted turkey with mushroom sauce,
and the lunch buffet offers a variety of Western and Asian cuisine
including delectable desserts.
New Year or Christmas trips and special requests offer enchanting
firelit dinners on a sandy island with wonderful food and traditional
dance and music entertainent by the Bagan School of Arts.
The late board members of the original IFC of the colonial times would
truly be proud if they could see the excellent condition of the
modern-day Pandaw, in all her loveliness.
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Vietnamese in Hue
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