Memories of Myanmar
Visiting Burma was one of our most fulfilling travel experiences. It was a difficult travel taking local transport. The 30 hours in transit from Kyaikto to Inle Lake was definitely a difficult journey. We transferred from bus, to van, to the back of a truck to a taxi. It was hot, it was crowded, it was long. But the people we so friendly. Not many could speak English, but it didn’t stop them from practicing with us every chance that they got.
Independent Travel in Burma
We tried hard not to give money to the government by traveling independently. But we all know that somehow, someway they will get a piece of the pie. However, we talked to many people about whether or not we should be traveling to Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi had told tourists not to come to her country. But when we talked to people on the street, they welcomed us. They were happy that we were not staying in the big resorts run by the government and they were happy that we hired local guides, took local transit and stayed in small guest houses. As one man said, Sanctions only help the Generals.
To Visit or Not to Visit Myanmar
We felt secure in our choice to visit Myanmar. We found a great guide in Mandalay “Julius Caesar.” We stepped off our bus very early in the morning, he approached us and asked us if we needed a guide and we said sure. He took us around to all of the back entrances and out of the way places. He was a former student who was arrested during the uprising and talked to us about the country and its history. As he said, I love my country, but not my government. I want to show you it’s beauty and I will show you while not giving money to the government organizations .
Now with the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi going on, our hearts are saddened once again. Are thoughts are with the people of Burma who were so welcoming and giving towards us during our time there. The situation in Myanmar breaks our hearts, but I think that if more people visit, maybe one day the doors will open up. How can a country be isolated from the world and stand a chance?
Here are some of our greatest memories from our time in Myanmar formerly known as Burma.
There are Plenty of Artists in Myanmar and they are all very Talented
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Such an amazing place but I do know about a bet of how a world wanted to be isolated from the rest of the moving globe… I live in Jeddah…
I love the way you capture the photo and it’s so funny about that woman that charged you for the photo but poverty does that in any culture… Money as much as we want it to be irrelevant… It controls our life… You always have to put your hand in your pocket and hand it out for one reason or another… I have kids running around me here in Jeddah who actually beg and set a price for it, most of them come from Africa or Asia…
I am so envy that you got to do this adventure… I would give the world to be able to just drop everything and go… But I can’t… So I get to follow who can… isn’t that sad…
Have a safe journeys and keep that post coming…
I just wanted to say thanks for visiting my blog and for the nice comments…I look forward to read more of your adventures and photos. It is inspiring for a new travel blogger like me.
Hi, just found your site and I will be sure to lurk around for some great adventure ideas and stories!
Cool Post, Thanks.
Hi there! We’re thinking about a trip to Myanmar in 2010 and your photos have gotten me excited! I enjoyed your blog entries very much!
Tracy, That is fantastic. It really is a wonderful country. It definitely has its problems and it can be a difficult travel but it is well worth it. We tried our best to travel locally and stay in small guest houses. We also tried to avoid government fees at attractions by hiring independant guides that took us through the local entrances. If you stay away from the package tour areas, you will find that everyone is very welcoming and happy to have you there. Let us know if you go, I would love to hear about your experience!
Beautiful photos!
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..Falls, Geysers and Lagoons: The Wet and Weird Wonderland of Iceland =-.
Thanks Tracy, that’s all Dave’s doing
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great website. cheers