Bagan had a mystical appeal to us the second we saw photos of it. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the largest concentration of stupas, temples and pagodas in the world. The immediate landscape is relatively flat, so when you climb to the top of a temple, you can see scores of other Read Post
Touring Buddhist Caves Around Hpa-an
After traveling for nearly a year, Tara and I seem to have found a perfect balance between going on our own and hiring a guide/tour to take us around. The benefits of both (you pay a premium for knowledge and access with a tour, but it also means giving up freedom and flexibility) keep us Read Post
Places To See Around Hpa-an, Myanmar
After arriving in Yangon, popping over to Bago, traveling to Mt Kyaiktiyo, and visiting Mawlamyine, we hopped a minibus to Hpa-an (pronounced pa-aun). I use the term minibus lightly since that is what our guesthouse called it, but the reality is it was a full-sized bus with mini-seats. I swear that SE Asian countries make Read Post
Budgeting for Myanmar
Before leaving Thailand, we did as much research about Myanmar as possible. We have not heavily researched a country this much in many months, and it was mostly because there is an air of mystery surrounding in-country costs. Tourism in Myanmar is growing at an exponential rate each year, and prices are increasing with it. Read Post
The Rocky Road to the Top of Mt Kyaiktiyo
The Golden Rock is one of the most holy Buddhist sites in Myanmar and truly an amazing sight. However, I found the journey to the top of Mt Kyaiktiyo to be taxing on both the wallet and body. That is not to say I do not recommend visiting the rock, but I do so with Read Post