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….
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 Adventures of Dave 
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