Best of 2019 – Places I’ve stayed
I’ve stayed in some memorable places this year during my travels. Here are the ones that stood out. Desert Himalaya Resort, Nubra Valley, LadakhFull on glamping in the northern most…
Tag: Myanmar
Things I learnt about Myanmar (Burma)
A far more ‘normal’ country than I was expecting, Myanmar was a fascinating place to spend a couple of weeks. I did the standard tourist circuit though the centre (Yangon,…
Ballooning over Bagan v Lake Inle
Bagan is famous for hot air ballooning, Lake Inle less so, but both are quite magical experiences. Most people take balloon rides if they can in Bagan (you often need…
Lake Inle
One of the most visited places in Myanmar, Lake Inle is a tourist trap, but an enjoyable one. It’s the second largest lake in Myanmar, but a very shallow one,…
Ballooning over Lake Inle
The lesser known alternative to hot air ballooning over Bagan is to ballon over Lake Inle, a different but as good experience (here’s a comparison). The 5am cold start was…
Kalaw and Pindaya Caves
Established by the British as a hill station with a more agreeable climate, Kalaw is a popular spot between Mandalay and Lake Inle for hiking. The town retains a frontier…
Mandalay
After several days in rural Myanmar Mandalay was a real shock to the senses, a chaotically busy city of two million people, most of whom seem to own a scooter.…
Community Lodge near Myaing, and Sagaing
One of the best community experiences I’ve had, this lodge was a few kilometres from Myaing in central Myanmar, about a third of the way between Bagan and Mandalay. It…
Ballooning over Bagan, and visiting Mt Popa
Hot air balloons are an iconic part of the image of Bagan, with dozens flying every morning at sunrise across the archaeological zone, scenic from the ground, and even better…
Bagan
If you like Buddhist temples then Bagan is for you, with over 2,000 in a relatively small area, easily explored by bike or on foot. They date back to the…
Yangon
Formerly Rangoon, capital of Burma, now Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city is a fascinating blend of the old and increasingly new. It was basically a village until the British made it…