Burma (Myanmar)

Grand Escapades shares some sights from and experiences with the markets around Myanmar's Inle Lake.

An everyday scene of shopping in Yangon, fully of color and activity.

George G's grandson, Christopher, shares a memorable photo of life in rural Myanmar

When we reached Inle Lake on a boat at 06:30 am, the dark grey, mirror-like surface of the water was merging with the misty horizon. The elusive shapes of the fishermen came into view.

A bird’s view of the 4.000 temples of Bagan, from a Hot Air Balloon, left us thunderstruck!  Yes, seeing Bagan from that perspective was definitely an experience of a lifetime!

On November 17, 2013 I posted a story here describing a train ride through the hills of rural central Burma.  It began...    “The earthquake should have been a clue.  But having rather enjoyed the ride, as I have since...

Myanmar gets it first UNESCO World Heritage designation this year for the Pyu Ancient Cities of Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra. They are three brick walled and moated cities.   Read More: http://travel.france24.com/con...tage-list-first-time...

 Or it could be titled ‘Homage à Jim’, this may be my favorite picture of my travel pal.  For some reason, he didn't invite me on his own trips, which tended to be more athletic (like climbing Kilimanjaro) but he never but he never failed to join me in my harebrained schemes.

The day began when our boatman collected us at our guesthouse at the north end of Inle Lake, a shallow and beautiful body of water surrounded by mountains in Shan State. 

The 13 pictures which follow are from a day spent with a friend in a long boat on Inle Lake in central Burma's Shan State.  We boarded with our boatman on a waterway that leads from Nyaungshwe, about 3 miles from the north end...

   If I needed another reason to believe Burma is on the edge of emerging from a bygone era, this passing oxcart provided the evidence, as I stepped from a temple onto the side of the road.   

World famous, Mandalay Marionettes Theatre is keeping this traditional performance art form alive for the Burmese people and for visitors to this northern Burma city.  Originally a royal entertainment, it’s now available to all.