Myanmar
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15 favorites of 2015
Ok, so it’s a good thing the years keep getting bigger in number because my opportunities and experiences keep getting better. The end of the year is the best time for me to reflect on what I’ve worked for each year, and look back on the opportunities that make me feel the most thankful and happy. Up, up, up AND away in Myanmar, Spain AND Turkey The first 31 years of my life I had lived without stepping foot into a hot air balloon and just like that, I got the chance to take not one, not two, but three incredible rides. Each overlooking a different landscape, iconic and unique…
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Snapshot Sunday: Myanmar Ordinary Class
The breeze slowly moves from one window of the train through to the other. The pleather seat sticks to the backs of my legs as I shift on the bench, moving from side to side as the train bobs me up and down. Peering out of the window I watch as the little boys in our car stick their heads out the window, pointing to this and that with excitement in their eyes. The rickety tracks take us on a slow, scenic journey through the countryside giving me a glimpse of rural life as we spend hours on hours bouncing along to our destination. We booked our seats in the…
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A Day in Mandalay
When touring Myanmar there are the four major cities that most tourists visit; Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay. While I was there a lot of other travelers were skipping Mandalay because, unless you fly, transportation between the four cities can take precious time out of your itinerary so seeing the old royal capital wasn’t worth the trip. Big mistake. Mandalay has a completely different feel from the others and there is plenty to see and do to make it worth the trouble of the LONG bus ride or train. Here are some of my favorite Mandalay moments. Climb a hill Where the city gets it name, the near 800…
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'Abbie the Explorer' Ballooning in Bagan
“I’ve been on the internet and I’m not going back.” It’s a phrase I’ve used jokingly to describe my dad’s opinion on technology on more than one occasion. He prefers his favorite CD’s to an Ipod and he rarely has his cell phone on. Some days I envy his philosophy and how disconnected he could actually be. As a result of this “anti-tech” lifestyle, I was never really sure how supportive or understanding he was of my online work. “You know, Indonesia has poisonous snakes in the water?”, and “Why do you want to go there?” or “That place is dangerous.” Always worrying about his forever baby girl, these are…
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Snapshot Sunday: My Myanmar
Wow. Words are hard to express what an inspiring, magical time I’ve had in Myanmar. The people are genuine, the scenery breathtaking and the history compelling. I saw the country on all forms of transport, witnessed more sunrises and sunsets than any other visit and marveled at life here. It is safe to say this isn’t the last Myanmar has seen of me.
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Burmese Monks and The Silver Snow Express
So I bought a shadow puppet. The first week into my trip I purchased a fragile, Balinese shadow puppet that now had to be lovingly wrapped in bubble tape and hung from a small brown bag tied to the top of my backpack, swinging to and fro and lightly hitting the bottom of my chignon as I walked. The problem with obtaining such a uniquely shaped and potentially breakable souvenir the first few weeks into a six month trip is that I now have the responsibility of said shadow puppet for the rest of the journey and this silly souvenir almost cost me thousands of dollars. “Are you alright?” The…
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Snapshot Sunday: Bewitching Bagan
What an incredibly special and beautiful city, Bagan. The week I had here was truly amazing with sunrises and sunsets over thousands of ancient temples, exploring the history, meeting some wonderful locals, a hot air balloon ride adventure and if that wasn’t exciting enough, my taxi driver and I stumbled across a farmer and his wife along with their cow delivering it’s calf on the side of a small quiet dirt road. It has been nothing short of magical here in Myanmar, many stories to come!
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Snapshot Sunday: "Happy World", a Yangon Sunrise
I quietly climbed out of bed, changed out of my pajamas and shuffled out of the room in the darkness. Misty, the sky lightened as I walked down Wisara Road, the street that just yesterday was teeming with traffic, at daybreak was desolate. As I headed into town the sun rose over a park with a gilded pagoda in the background and at that moment, it felt like truly a happy world.