I hadn’t been to Southeast Asia since 1983 and decided to go to Myanmar (Burma) of all places. While tourism had been growing slightly it really started to take off after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in 2010, further political reforms in 2011-2012 and the ease of most Western sanctions in 2012. At the time I arrived the first ever ATM’s in the country were just getting installed and credit cards weren’t accepted anywhere. Because of this, we had to bring crisp US Dollars to exchange into the local currency. Times are changing, tourists are coming, credit cards are beginning to be accepted… I was excited to be able to visit this once “forbidden fruit” country early on before waives of tourists begin to arrive.

The country was absolutely delightful and the people open and friendly. Though it takes a while to get there, it’s definitely worth the visit. I took thousands of photos during my 12 days in the country. I’ve attempted to narrow it down to the highlights of this wonderful place.

Trip Date: December 18, 2012 – January 1, 2013
Tour Operator: Overseas Adventure Travel

Tour Itinerary – Burma: Land of Golden Temples & Floating Gardens

Yangon

Rules of the Pagoda’s and Monasteries. Multiple “shoe’s off” each day

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Yangon. The mud (Thanka) on the faces is made from ground bark was seen on many children and women. It is for protection of the skin as well as a beautify their faces.

Yangon

Yangon

Monks returning from gathering alms in Heho

Temples of Bagan. Over 2,000 shrines, pagodas and stupas build between the 11th and 13th century are found in Bagan.

Temples of Bagan

Temples of Bagan

Bagan in the morning mist

Temples of Bagan

A steep climb. And yes, we were barefoot.

Temples of Bagan

The egg market, Bagan

Lots of women were seen with their stogies.

The faces of Myanmar

Novice Monks

Shwezigon Pagoda (Paya), Bagan

Shwezigon Pagoda (Paya), Bagan

Lunch stop next to fields of sunflowers

Irrawaddy River

The People of Myanmar

Carriage ride through the archeological zone in Bagan

Sunrise balloon ride in Bagan

Sunrise balloon ride in Bagan

Sunrise balloon ride in Bagan

Sunrise balloon ride in Bagan

Local farmer from the balloon

Making peanut oil

Myanmar moonshine

Mt. Popa. A volcanic outcrop with a temple to the nats (powerful spirits)

Mt. Popa

Buddhist Initiation Ceremony

Thrashing rice

In the fields

Fishing in the rice fields

Novice monk complete with popsicle

Carriage ride to Bagaya Kyaung monastery

Maha Aungmye monastery

Shwenandaw Kyaung monastery

Kuthodaw Pagoda

Cutest little sales girl ever!

Kuthodaw Pagoda

Monk at Kuthodaw Pagoda

Our hotel in Mandalay decorated for Christmas

Mandalay Palace and moat

Mahamuni Pagoda. Gold leaf continues to be applied distorting the original Buddha image.

Initiation ceremony at Mahamuni Pagoda

Novice Buddhist nuns at Mahamuni Pagoda

Monk marionettes

Novice nuns at Myawaddy Nunnery

Lunch time at Myawaddy Nunnery

Mandalay

Thaungthaman lake

U Bein teak bridge at sunset

U Bein teak bridge

Mingun Pagoda, destroyed by an earthquake in 1838 and never completed.

Novice monks in Mingon

Mingon bell, worlds largest “un-cracked” bell, 200 tons

Novice monks at a monastery in Mingon

Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingon

Taxi stand in Mingon

Mingon

Visit to a home for the aged in Mingon

The People of Myanmar

Christmas Lunch at the Golden Duck restaurant, Mandalay

Trishaw ride in Mandalay

Sunset at Mandalay Palace

Our transportation between cities.

Grandmother and grandkids, near Kalaw

Poinsettias

Shucking corn, one cob at a time

Watercolor I purchased in Kalaw “Our Beautiful Village with Colors” by Miynt U from Aung Ban

Water buffalos

The Faces of Myanmar

Bath day near Kalaw

Novice Monk

Visit to Myin Ma Htie village grade school near Kalaw

Landscape near Kalaw

Working in the fields

No shoes allowed – Lost in translation

Our group

Electrician needed

The people here were great. They really didn’t need these signs.

A short ride on a local train. We were in the “Upper Class” car.

Local market

Visit to a parasol store.

Visitors by our bus

Local restaurant

Our transportation for 2 1/2 days at Inle Lake

Our hotel on Inle Lake. Nice place.

Making curry at a village next to the hotel.

Fisherman on Inle Lake

Typical homes on Inle Lake

One of our more rugged toilet stops.

Inle Lake

Inle Lake

Inle Lake

One of my travel companions at the cigar factory

Inle Lake

Fisherman on Inle Lake

Nga Hpe Monastery – The “Jumping Cat” Monastery

Long Neck Woman of the Paduang hill tribe.

Initiation Ceremony on Inle

Ancient stupas at Inthein Village

Ancient stupas at Inthein Village

Bells on a Stupa

Marionettes

The monk store

Hpaung Daw U Pagoda. So much gold leaf has been applied to the Buddha’s that they are no longer recognizable.

Returning to our hotel after a day around Inle Lake

Be careful where you step…this is a developing country.

And finally…an awesome use of marionettes….