Ep13: MYANMAR - Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Goteik Viaduct
MYANMAR - Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Goteik Viaduct
Most of the Myanmar borders are conflict zones, so traveling the country was restricted to making it to Yangon, and traveling up the center of the country.
We had three thrilling weeks with the Burmese people, who were so quick with a smile but not inclined to care for any Western sensibilities, which was awesome. Crossing a Yangon street was a harrowing experience. Betel leaves are a popular thing to chew, and spitting was second nature. Old ladies and teenagers alike chew and spit, and the red stained concrete was everywhere.
The landscape, especially Bagan, was dotted with countless temples, many a thousand or so years old. Apparently, it was believed that a lifetime of sin could be erased if only you built a pagoda... so of course it was quite a popular thing to do. The result is spectacular.
The atmosphere was often saturated with street dust and smoke from daily burnings, and while our lungs suffered, it created wonderfully hazy sunsets. The county glowed orange-gold in the twilight hours.
#aneaselabroad #visitmyanmar #goteikviaduct #shwedagonpagoda #visityangon #visitbagan