We spent 3 weeks over Xmas travelling around Myanmar - trying to avoid giving any money to the government. The place was brilliant, the people wonderful, the best place that we've visited in Asia by a long way (ranks with Nepal for excitement)
We spent a few days in each of the following areas:
Yangon - formerly Rangoon - liked it, found it easy, walked everywhere, met monks every day who showed us around, taught us some Myanmar phrases, and told us where to go.
Kalaw - we trekked from Kalaw to Inlay Lake with a fantastic guide called Harry - from the Golden Lily Guest House in Kalaw - best experience in Myanmar by far - we stayed in one of the Hill Tribe villages and also in a monastery.
Inlay Lake - We stayed here for 4 days - spent a day cycling around, had a day out on the lake - lovely relaxed place.
Mandalay - We had 3 days in Mandalay - initially we hated it - too busy - then we saw the charm in the place. A city of 2million with no street lights!!!! Everyone was super friendly, more interested in us than we could ever be in them. 'Take my photo'!!! was heard everywhere. Great for wandering around aimlessly - the market in the centre is wonderful.
Bagan - Interesting, best at sunrise and sunset, we didn't use the horse and cart option - cycling is twice as fast, the roads are flat, distances looked big on the map but were easy. Managed to find some great quiet temples for avoiding the package tour fools (who pay the government loads and don't even realise that Myanmar is under a military dictatorship). Not really many people there at all - but at sunset they creep out from the woodwork to spoil the view. We stayed there for 4 days and then flew back to Yangon.
technorati tags: Myanmar, Travel, Trekking, Yangon, Bagan, Inlay, Lake, Kalaw, Mandalay
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