A monk does his Walking Meditation in Myanmar

One of the most picturesque places that we visited in Myanmar was Inle Lake.  Known for it’s one legged rowers and handmade craft shops, we spent days exploring the villages that line the second largest lake in the country formerly known as Burma.

It was dry season while we were there and only days before the water festival but you never would have known it. Our time was spent seeing the sites in the rain and cloud.   We hired a boat one day to see the markets, pagodas and monasteries of the area. As a storm blew in, we found shelter at the Jumping Cat Monastery.

We listened to the monks chant along side the many local people on holiday from Mandalay and Yangon.   As it was festival season, the monastery was filled with Burmese tourists who were more curious about us than seeing the monks perform their daily prayers. Cats sat in our laps and roamed around the room as people ate their lunches and children played.

We found a moment of peace when we walked around the grounds once the weather cleared. We came across a monk doing a walking meditation. He kept a slow and deliberate pace from one end to the other.   He didn’t seem to notice us or the ray of sun that broke through the clouds as I snapped this shot. He simply went on with his meditation walking back and forth along the covered dock.

For more on Myanmar:

• The Temples of Bagan
• Memories of Myanmar
• Myanmar’s Golden Rock

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

The Beautiful Shwedegon Pagoda in Yangon

It was his last day of his 2 mandatory weeks of being a Monk. With his sons.

Net Fishing at Inlay Lake

This woman posed happily, but then charged us after the fact. Worth it Though.

Young Boy has Talaka on his cheeks to protect him from the sun.

A Walking Mediation at Jumping Cat Monastery

Walking home at the end of a long day