MYANMAR 2017 PHOTOLOGUE

Myanmar simply took my breath away. I’m so glad that I had the pleasure of visiting the land of the golden pagodas right at the beginning of year 2017. I started my journey in Mandalay and visited the Royal Palace, Mandalay Hill, Mahamuni Temple, Sagaing, Mingun and U-Bein Bridge.

Sagaing

U Min Thonze Pagoda, Sagaing

 

                                                Mingun

                                            Hsinbunye Pagoda

                                   Sunset at U-Bein Bridge

Next, I took an overnight bus to Nyaung Shwe, Inle Lake. The acrobatic mobility of the Intha fishermen were such a spectacular sight. Aside from having a very relaxing vacation with nice cool weather, the scenery at Inle lake and its surroundings were just amazing. I also took the opportunity to go wine tasting at the Red Mountain Winery while in Nyaung Shwe.

Intha Fisherman

 

 

 

Red Mountain Winery

My next destination was Bagan. Although Bagan was a UNESCO site, somehow I never felt the usual suffocation of overcrowding experienced during peak season. Again, climbing up 777 steps to reach the top of Mt Popa barefooted was quite a sensational experience.

 

Bagan Sunset

 

Mount Popa

 

The long bus ride from Bagan to Yangon took approximately 10 hours. Upon arrival at the capital city of Myanmar, I took the 3 hours circular train ride and visited General Aung San’s Museum with a new friend met on the journey to Yangon. I also went to the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Strand Hotel for high tea and lastly had lunch with my Malaysian friend residing in Yangon at the House of Memories, the old office of General Aung San converted to restaurant prior to boarding my flight back to Kuala Lumpur. It had been an intense 2 weeks indeed.

Shwedagon Pagoda