Category Archives: Myanmar

Cruising on the Irrawaddy River

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In the morning we board M.S. HINTHA, a teak river vessel that has been completely renovated and reconstructed in 2013. Now it is a rather comfortable little cruise ship with four well- furnished cabins and a large sun deck with state of the art deck chairs and a bar. Enjoy life on the mighty river while slowly sailing upstream; children splashing in the water, farmers watering their cattle, women doing their laundry. And see the fascinating traffic on the river: passenger boats, tankers, cargo ships as well as large bamboo rafts floating slowly downstream. M.S. HINTHA stops for the night at the famous village of Yandabo, where the treaty was signed that ended the first Anglo-Burman war. Lunch & dinner aboard. ( Easter Crossings Guide )

 Overnight cruise on the Irrawaddy River on board the M.S. Hintha. From Bagan to Mandalay.  The best boat to cruise the Irrawaddy is the Orient Express which we did not take :-O  The Orient Express can fit 50 guests while our boat was chartered for  just our group and at we went  at our own time and pace.  Our goal was to ride the Irrawaddy River to get to Mandalay.  We had limited time of seven days for our whole trip.   Riding the MS Hintha is true Myanmar roughing it out style while The Orient Express is Riding in style! haha

So there are pros and consCruising on the Irrawaddy River (2)

The boat is owned by our tour guide. Dr. Axel.  He recently bought the boat and renovated it. He recommended this boat since we go straight from Bagan to Mandalay which only takes overnight.

 Our guide, Dr. Axel Bruns. He is German and was a guide for 25 years. 20 years ago he moved to Myanmar and specialized in Southeast Asian tours. He also teaches tour guides to be good tour guides. He is now 65 years old and is semi retired. He got married two weeks ago to a Burmese lady. He is a doctor in Philosophy which explains why he is pilosopo 🙂   He’s a nice guy and funny too. Inés told Axel to give us the best tour guide so he brought himself  ( mayabang too haha ) He told us that next time we should bring more time.  Wish we could have stayed longerCruising on the Irrawaddy River (29)

Our captain with his bed behind him 🙂Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (31)

Some scenes on the IrrawaddyCruising on the Irrawaddy River (5)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (14)

That looks like a nice boat too 🙂Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (16)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (17)

The rooms of the MS HinthaCruising on the Irrawaddy River (3)

There are 4 rooms with names named after cities in Myanmar – ours was Sagain Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (10)

Very “cowboy”  haha!!  I love adventures but maybe good for one day!  hahaCruising on the Irrawaddy River (11)Only because the bathroom is a bit difficult for me :-OCruising on the Irrawaddy River (12)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (13)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (6)

Upper deck where we stayed most of the time and congregated together – to eat, to work and to hang outCruising on the Irrawaddy River (4)

The kitchen – preparing our mealsCruising on the Irrawaddy River (7)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (9)Terence the Boat Manager multi tasking and helping out in the kitchenCruising on the Irrawaddy River (8)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (30)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (15)

Candlelight dinner literally! hahaCruising on the Irrawaddy River (18)

Breakfast 🙂Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (19)

 Terence the boat manager went to the village where we docked and came back with our Burmese breakfast – freshly made Eikyakhway with honey. It’s like bitcho bitcho 🙂 yummyCruising on the Irrawaddy River (32)

Mohingar – their version of Ramen and YUMMY!  One of my favourite dishes in MyanmarCruising on the Irrawaddy River (33)

Pomelo! 🙂Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (34)

More scenes as we continue our journey 🙂Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (20)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (35)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (36)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (37)

Hats being dried 🙂Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (38)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (22)

TemplesCruising on the Irrawaddy River (21)

More food 🙂  Lunch before we get off the boatCruising on the Irrawaddy River (23)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (24)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (25)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (26)

Drying clothesCruising on the Irrawaddy River (27)

Bathing 🙂Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (28)Click below to go to their website

 baganflotillaContact of Dr. AxelCruising on the Irrawaddy River (39)Cruising on the Irrawaddy River (1)

Vendors in Bagan

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Photos of some vendors with local handcrafts of Bagan

Wooden SculpturesVendors in Myanmar (1)

Sandalwood!  With a nice scent!
Vendors in Myanmar (2)Vendors in Myanmar (5)Vendors in Myanmar (7)Handpainted fabricVendors in Myanmar (3)

Colorful umbrellas in different sizesVendors in Myanmar (4)

Sarongs!! at very reasonable prices! BargainVendors in Myanmar (6)

Food 🙂

Vendors in Myanmar (8)

Love these wooden mobiles – very cheap!! Around 1 to 2US$Vendors in Myanmar (9)

Nanda Restaurant and Puppet Show

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Our last dinner in Bagan which was my best meal outside the resort – though most of the food we ordered was fried :-ONanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (2)

Nanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (12)

Dinner with puppet show 🙂Nanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (3)

Live musicNanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (4)

with PuppetsNanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (1)

 Peanuts is one of the agricultural products from BaganNanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (5)

Crispy duck – YUM!  Nanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (6)

I forgot the names of the dishes, so I will try to describe it :-O

Chicken with cashew nutsNanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (7)

Sweet and Sour fishNanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (8)

Shredded crispy duck ( not sure) Nanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (9)

Crispy/fried fish – also goodNanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (10)

Nanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (11)

Nanda Restaurant and Puppet Show (13)

Tel : 061-60096/60790
Bagan Nyaung U Main Road, Wet-Gyi-Inn village,
Bagan, Myanmar.

Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon

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 We woke up at 4am to leave 5am from the hotel and rode a vintage busBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (2)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (3)

Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (4)I have always been scared to ride a hot air balloon, but it’s not scary at all!Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (5)We took off at around 620am as soon as the sun was risingBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (12)

 The day before, I was so happy viewing Bagan from the watch tower, I could not believe my eyes!! But today was even more amazing!!! Viewing the city on a hot air balloon!!  It was my first time and Wow what an amazing experience! The city is so beautiful! It’s fields and temples! We already saw all 2,000+ temples and stupas haha!! The villagers are organized in one area so it’s not scattered. A MUST SEE!!!!!!!! These are just photos but actually being there is a million times better. Peaceful except for the flames of the balloon that comes every now and then – Blessed a million folds!!!!!Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (13)

We saw our resort from up there and it was beautifulBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (11)

Stupas and temples as far as the eyes can see.  One must see this in their lifetime!  Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (14)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (15)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (16)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (17)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (18)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (19)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (20)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (21)

Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (22)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (23)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (24)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (25)There are two companies I believe but we used Balloons Over BaganBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (26)

Fields and if you look closely – you can see farmers Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (27)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (28)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (29)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (30)

More farmersBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (31)People lining up to vote – It was elections while we were in Myanmar 🙂 They later on waved at usBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (32)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (33)

A smooth landing 🙂Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (6)

Champagne and breakfastBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (34)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (35)Vendors Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (8)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (1)

It takes many guys to pack the balloon back 🙂Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (9)

CertificateBagan From a Hot Air Balloon (10)Bagan From a Hot Air Balloon (7)

 Click below to go to their website

Balloons Over Bagan - Pioneers of hot air ballooning in Myanmar since 1999 (20151229)

View of Bagan from the Watch Tower

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If you stay at the Aureum  Palace, you have complimentary access to the Watch Tower. We went here the day before the hot air balloon experience and we felt it was a spoiler to the hot air balloon because it was a beautiful view.  For people who are afraid to ride the balloon or don’t want to ride it, this is a very acceptable way to see BaganView of Bagan from the Watch Tower (1)

View of Bagan from the Watch Tower (10)

View of Bagan from the Watch Tower (2)

There is an enclosed portion of the tower before reaching the topView of Bagan from the Watch Tower (3)

 We went up to see the sunset.  The photos does not justify and cannot capture the beauty that you will see when you see it yourself! A 360 degree view of Bagan which is truly God’s work!! It’s all worth it to come to Bagan just to go up to see this! A MUST!!! View of Bagan from the Watch Tower (4)

There are around 2,500 temples/pagodas in BaganView of Bagan from the Watch Tower (5)View of Bagan from the Watch Tower (6)

View of Bagan from the Watch Tower (7)

There are telescopes so you can zoom in on the viewView of Bagan from the Watch Tower (8)

Beautiful sunsetView of Bagan from the Watch Tower (9)

 Click below to go to their website

Aureum Palace Hotels & Resorts is the best escaping hideaway for relaxing at the most comfortable, ultimate, beautiful luxury hotels located in Bagan, Naypyitaw, Pyinoolwin,Ngapali and Ngwe Saung beach of Myanmar.

Aureum Palace Hotels & Resorts is the best escaping hideaway for relaxing at the most comfortable, ultimate, beautiful luxury hotels located in Bagan, Naypyitaw, Pyinoolwin,Ngapali and Ngwe Saung beach of Myanmar.

The Black Bamboo

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Mom read in her guide book about this placeThe Black Bamboo (2)The Black Bamboo (3)The Black Bamboo (4)

They had an extensive menu though food was not so spectacular.  There was a dish Mom was expecting since she read it in the guide book, but it was nowhere to be found in the menu and the staff did not know anything about it 🙁
The Black Bamboo (6)The Black Bamboo (7)

Grilled chicken which was their daily specialThe Black Bamboo (8)

The Black Bamboo (9)

Chicken ala kievThe Black Bamboo (10)

We however liked the homemade ice cream 🙂The Black Bamboo (5)Coconut for me of course 🙂 YUM!The Black Bamboo (1)

the black bamboo bagan menu 1 the black bamboo bagan menu 2 the black bamboo bagan menu 3 the black bamboo bagan menu 4click below to go to their Facebook page

The Black Bamboo Bagan facebook page

Lacquerware in Bagan

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Lacquerware is a local handicraft in Bagan. Lacquerware (5)Lacquerware (2)Lacquerware (8)Lacquerware (7)Lacquerware (4)Lacquerware (3)

This jar shows each step in making lacquerwareLacquerware (6)

 The best ones go up to 40 layers! Lacquerware (9)

 In the shop we went to, the 24 layered ones are in an airconditioned room Lacquerware (14)Lacquerware (12)Lacquerware (13)

 and the 12 layers has no aircon 🙂  but it’s still good quality

Lacquerware (17) The good quality ones are made with bamboo, teak wood or horsetail ( being the most expensive)
Lacquerware (16)

The guys waiting while the ladies are shoppingLacquerware (15)

 Typical Myanmar snacks/ pica pica for guests. Peanuts is one of their agricultural products from Bagan
Lacquerware (10)Yum Tamarind Flakes – similar to haw flakes.  You can buy these in the stalls of shops in the different temples
Lacquerware (11)

We went to another store for lacquerware.  Mom read about this and it is a popular shop for lacquerware in BaganLacquerware (18)

The daughter of the owner ( U Kan Tun ) , Moe Moe 🙂Lacquerware (1)

Lacquerware (19)Lacquerware (20)

Lacquerware shops in bagan palm vietnam travel

Stupas and Temples in Bagan

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When visiting the temples, you need to remove your shoes. Socks is also not allowed. So the best footwear to use are slippers so it’s easier to remove and put on. Stupas and Temples in Bagan (3)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (1) Bagan! Who counts the stupas, the temples and the caves? Nearly 2.500 dot the plain at a bend of the mighty river. According to the history books there have been more than 7.000 religious buildings in Bagan when it was at the pinnacle of its power. Especially the smaller ones faded away over the centuries but what is left is certainly the most impressive sight in South East Asia, only rivaled by Angkor! You visit some of the most impressive of Bagan’s temples. The stupa Shwezigon was the first monumental building in Bagan – it was here, that the wise king Anawrahta incorporated the cult of Nats (spirits) into Theravada-Buddhism and to this very day the spirits command high respect among the people of Myanmar. Not far from the Shwezigon is the temple Gubyaukgyi-Tempel in the village of Wetkyi-In. The murals from the 13th century are in remarkably good condition. Sulamani temple is the model for all temples of the late period (1180-1287) which ended with the Mongol invasion. Enjoy the sunset on top of a stupa and you will remember the scenery for a long, long time: pagodas as far as the eye can see and the Ayeyarwady River in the West. The sun settles behind the hills on the West bank of the river and when the weather is fine you might even see as far as to the Chin Hills. ( Easter Crossings Guide )

Stupas are structures that are solid while the temples are hollow and structures where you can go in and worship

There are many temples in Bagan so our guide just chose the best ones

Ananda temple ( side ) is the highlight of any visit to Bagan: it was built under King Kyanzittha at the end of the 11th Century A.D. This was built by one of the favorite disciples of BuddhaStupas and Temples in Bagan (28)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (2)

 The magnificent Ananda temple is home to four giant statues of the four Buddhas of our era: KakusandhaStupas and Temples in Bagan (4)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (9)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (8)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (6) KonagamanaStupas and Temples in Bagan (7)  Kassapa Stupas and Temples in Bagan (9)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (10)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (11) and of course Gotama, the historical Buddha ( under refurbishment not in photo ). His story is told in the ambulatory of the temple.Stupas and Temples in Bagan (12)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (15)

Footprint of Gautama
Stupas and Temples in Bagan (13)

Donation boxes – you can choose where you want to donate to refurbish different parts of the temple 🙂Stupas and Temples in Bagan (14)

We visited several temples around Bagan as chosen by our guide, Dr. AxelStupas and Temples in Bagan (16)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (17)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (18)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (19)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (24)

 Gubyaukgyi Temple – many beautiful temples in BaganStupas and Temples in Bagan (20)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (21)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (22)

While driving around Bagan, you will see many temples like these – many small ones.  Temples/Pagodas were built by individuals as a form of thanksgiving to Gautama Stupas and Temples in Bagan (23)

 Many Neem trees in Bagan
The NEEM tree (Azadirachta indica) is a tropical evergreen tree native to India and is also found in other southeast countries. In India, neem is known as “the village pharmacy” because of its healing versatility, and it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 4,000 years due to its medicinal properties. Neem is also called ‘arista’ in Sanskrit- a word that means ‘perfect, complete and imperishable’. The seeds, bark and leaves contain compounds with proven antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antifungal uses. The Sanskrit name ‘nimba’ comes from the term ‘nimbati syasthyamdadati’ which means ‘to give good health’.Stupas and Temples in Bagan (25)

Stupas and Temples in Bagan (26)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (27)

The Shwe San Daw Temple which is known for getting nice sunset views of Bagan.  You have to climb up the temple and await the sunset.  We were not able to do it this tripStupas and Temples in Bagan (29)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (32)

 The biggest lying Buddha at the Shwe San Daw TempleStupas and Temples in Bagan (30)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (31)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (33)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (34)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (35)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (36)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (37)Stupas and Temples in Bagan (38)

 Click below

Bagan Pagodas and Temples, Myanmar

Bagan Pagodas and Temples, Myanmar

Dinner by the River at Bagan Hotel

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We had dinner at Bagan Hotel recommended by our guide, Axel
Dinner by the River (1)

Dinner by the River (2)

By the river.  Though it was dark so we could not see the river 🙂  Dinner by the River (3)

Typical Bagan food which has a lot of sauce and stew type Dinner by the River (5)

It was okay but quite difficult since it was dark and there were bugs flying around :-O  When eating outdoors in Myanmar, make sure you have your Cadentia Cologne Anitmosquito 🙂  Dinner by the River (4)

Dinner by the River (6)

Click below to go to their website

http---bagan.kmahotels.com-(20151228)

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