

Two people on a quest to explore the world
Filed in: Destinations by Mike Shubbuck
Mike’s addiction to travel started early. His family would often take meandering summer vacations across the United States. These trips gave him an appreciation of his native land, but a thirst for exploration outside of it. Always up for an adventure, he has been talked into skydiving, hanging over Victoria Falls, and jumping off cliffs. Depending on whom you ask, maybe he was the one convincing others to join him. His perspective is usually framed with a lens and he shoots video and photographs religiously. Mike is a lover of all things, but the phrase, “What is your favorite country?” has a special place in his heart. He is co-author of Create Your Escape: A Practical Guide for Planning Long-Term Travel, which teaches other travelaholics how to prepare for long-term travel. Check it out at http://createyourescape.today
[…] rule and they were floating around without any problems. Unfortunately, this ended up being the second location we visited where women are barred from entering certain areas. In the case of the Golden Rock, men […]
[…] Reclining Buddhas and a Burmese Python in Bago (twotravelaholics.wordpress.com) […]
[…] https://twotravelaholics.com/2013/05/17/reclining-buddhas-and-burmese-pythons-in-bago/ […]
[…] Once there you’ll have the option of either getting close enough to touch the snake or staying a safe distance and just watching it being fed. Either way, just seeing this gigantic python is an experience in itself. Here’s an article that’s got more info regarding Bago and the python: https://twotravelaholics.com/2013/05/17/reclining-buddhas-and-burmese-pythons-in-bago/ […]
All of this is so interesting to read now that we have been there. Camera fees, limited access to women at certain temples, smiling faces with “mingalaba”. It is interesting that they charged you for your bags on the bas, saying you can’t keep them in the aisle. I guess it is because they often sell that space to people as extra seats. Can’t wait to hear more about the trip, and ultimately whether you got templed out!
The bus did fill up, so we were okay with paying the extra couple kyat so that our bags were not tossed around. As for getting “templed” out, we did run into a few foreigners who had been, but even after a couple days in Bagan, we were able to find a balance in activities that kept us loving those golden (or brick) things.
Upon returning to Bangkok, we found that the guesthouse here had a Kayin receptionist so we have still been dropping mingalaba’s until we leave for Cambodia.
Great tips on visiting Bago, you guys! We still don’t know yet if we’ll make it to Myanmar (would love to know what you wound up spending… we’ve been temporarily terrified by people saying they were spending, like, $80US/day!) but these are great tips nonetheless.
Interesting to hear that the people of Myanmar have already gotten into the swing of trying to rip of tourists & haggling is a must! Can’t believe that guy asked for 3k per person!
Insane, huh? We have another article coming out soon that will be a comprehensive breakdown of USD versus MMK, ATMs versus bringing cash in with you, and an overview of prices we paid. Look for it in the next week or so.
Mike, are you aware that a company offers balloon rides to view the temples at Bagan? Beats having to run around and there are over 4400 there!
Sadly, hot air balloons don’t fly in the rainy season (which is when we were there). However, we elected to get around via horse drawn carriage, romantic and practical.
Much like your mom and me in our beat up old cars, eh? We find that romantic, no kids around. Glad you enjoyed everything with Tara, you guys ROCK!!