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Where do I start with Myanmar…
Firstly, it is, by far, THE safest country I’ve ever had the pleasure of setting foot on. Though tourism isn’t as vibrant there as say..neighboring Thailand (which I personally take as a good thing), and their infrastructure would put fear in a MetLife/Time Share vacationer’s comfort zone…it is an amazingly gorgeous country.
PS: Excuse the ripples in the sky on a lot of these images. The downsized files for downloading efficiency has it’s cons.
![001](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/001-1024x682.jpg)
Some major sweeping going on in Shewdagon Pagoda, Yangon.
![002 Shewdagon](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0021-1024x682.jpg)
The main stupa at Shewdagon is covered completely in gold with the top part blinged out with 2,000 carats of diamonds.
![004](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0041-1024x682.jpg)
Shewdagon is regarded as the most sacred pagoda in all of Myanmar...
![005](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0051-1024x682.jpg)
My buddy Kyaw Kyaw. If anyone's going to Bagan anytime soon, please let me know. I promised to bring him flashlights. There's no light by where he & his family lives.
![007](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0071-682x1024.jpg)
Kyaw Kyaw's son & nephews.
![023](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0231-1024x682.jpg)
Kyaw Kyaw's lovely neighbor.
![035](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0351-682x1024.jpg)
Perhaps we can make this hair wrap this a new trend in New York? =)
![008](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0081-682x1024.jpg)
Kyaw Kyaw's wife grinding up the root of a sandalwood tree to use on...
![009](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0091-682x1024.jpg)
...On mini Kyaw. It's a natural sun block that is used in Myanmar. BTW, do pack sun protection if going to Myanmar, it's almost impossible to find western sunblock. I found out the hard way.
![006](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0061-1024x682.jpg)
Thatbyinnyu is a pretty bad ass temple.
![011](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0111-1024x682.jpg)
Maybe it's just me, but I LOVE the way the elderly looks. To me, every wrinkle has a story or a wise tale behind it.
![036](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0361-682x1024.jpg)
Swag
![041](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0411-682x1024.jpg)
Happy Wrinkles
![017](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0171-1024x682.jpg)
This is as dangerous as it gets in Bagan...
![018](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0181-1024x682.jpg)
The shepherd
![013](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0131-682x1024.jpg)
Young monks taking a stroll in Bagan.
![014](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0141-1024x682.jpg)
Yeah...it's a pretty magical place.
![037](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0371-1024x682.jpg)
I want to stay at a monastery for a bit. No worries, I won't become a monk anytime soon.
![026](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0261-1024x682.jpg)
Joined them in their morning food route the following morning. Their route must've been at least 5 miles. In bare feet...kudos.
![027](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0271-682x1024.jpg)
Doing what I do best...stalking.
![016](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0161-1024x682.jpg)
I'll be honest, I don't remember which temple this was...There were over 2,000 of them in a land no larger than Manhattan.
![019](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0191-1024x682.jpg)
I wasn't kidding when I said 2,000...
![021](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0211-1024x682.jpg)
Only time in my life where I saw the sun rise & set 4 days straight. Worth every cup of coffee.
![024](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0241-1024x682.jpg)
Spent 4 days climbing the largest temples...I took a fall on one of them...but that's a story for another post.
![020](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0201-1024x682.jpg)
Typical visitors of Myanmar: Middle aged French & German couples. Would make for an AWESOME honeymoon my American brides!
![022](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0221-1024x682.jpg)
I tried desperately to get on the balloons. Got cancelled on twice because of the wind.
![034](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0341-1024x682.jpg)
Betel, a popular "chew" product in Myanmar. Kinda numbs your mouth a bit. It's said to caffeinate a person, as well as remove hunger.
![032](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0321-1024x682.jpg)
I love going to local markets. As Anthony Bourdain has always said: "Go to the local market to find out what their cuisine specialties are"
![033](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0331-1024x682.jpg)
The local "floating" market was a bit dry...
![038](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0381-1024x682.jpg)
Why..."Hello" to you too!
![028](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0281-1024x682.jpg)
Nga Pha Kyaung Monastery, Inle Lake.
![030](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0301-1024x682.jpg)
The famous single legged rowing fishermen in Inle Lake, Myanmar.
![031](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0311-1024x682.jpg)
Like the Scottish, the Burmese also wear skirts. New trend 2013?
![SE Asia 2012-258](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SE-Asia-2012-258-1024x682.jpg)
Spent half the day fishing in a lake FULL of fish...ended up needing to buy fish from the local fishermen. I just have the worst luck with fishing.
![040](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0401-1024x682.jpg)
Brought the fish back to Maung Lay's (my boat driver) place and his mom cooked us a feast!
![039](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0391-1024x682.jpg)
Maung Lay was crazy enough to let me take his boat for a spin...he had NO idea what was coming to him.
![042](http://blog.jlinphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/0421-1024x682.jpg)
Spent a good time in Muang Lay's village and realized how happy everyone is in this country.