Bagan light impressions
A beautiful, remote and culturally rich country infamous for its military regime, Myanmar (Burma) has in recent years been making small steps towards democracy, with the first democratically elected government in 2015, after more than half a century.
Modern conveniences, such as mobile-phone coverage and internet access, are now common, however for all the recent changes, Myanmar remains at heart a rural nation of traditional values - though one may have hard time to find someone among the younger generation without a smartphone or Facebook profile.
One will still encounter men wearing the sarong-like longyi and chewing betel nut, spitting the blood-red juice onto the ground, women with faces smothered in thanakha (a natural sunblock), and cheroot-smoking grannies. Trishaws still ply city streets, while the horse or bullock and cart is common rural transport.
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We carefully planned our 3-weeks long Burmese adventure around 6-days long hiking trip in the remote Chin state, where we commenced our journey in the hilltop settlement of Mindat, and subsequently hiked for four days across ethnic minority villages using old footpaths and mule trails.
Besides that, Bagan was the obvious spot to spend a few days exploring its temples, and we also spent a few days more in the south around Hpa-An. Then, finally, Ngapali was the ultimate destination for our beach leisure time.
Bagan light impressions
A beautiful, remote and culturally rich country infamous for its military regime, Myanmar (Burma) has in recent years been making small steps towards democracy, with the first democratically elected government in 2015, after more than half a century.
Modern conveniences, such as mobile-phone coverage and internet access, are now common, however for all the recent changes, Myanmar remains at heart a rural nation of traditional values - though one may have hard time to find someone among the younger generation without a smartphone or Facebook profile.
One will still encounter men wearing the sarong-like longyi and chewing betel nut, spitting the blood-red juice onto the ground, women with faces smothered in thanakha (a natural sunblock), and cheroot-smoking grannies. Trishaws still ply city streets, while the horse or bullock and cart is common rural transport.
-----
We carefully planned our 3-weeks long Burmese adventure around 6-days long hiking trip in the remote Chin state, where we commenced our journey in the hilltop settlement of Mindat, and subsequently hiked for four days across ethnic minority villages using old footpaths and mule trails.
Besides that, Bagan was the obvious spot to spend a few days exploring its temples, and we also spent a few days more in the south around Hpa-An. Then, finally, Ngapali was the ultimate destination for our beach leisure time.