Day 8
I am in love with Bagan. What a place! I was wondering what was so special about Myanmar, not seeing anything that wonderful so far... until today. 4000 old temples in one valley. Most of them are dark red brick, all shapes and sizes, some have details painted on them, some you can climb to the top for a view, some are new, some are old.
I woke up early for the sunrise. I had to bike for half hour and got to the temples just in time for the colors to get amazing. What a beauty! I felt so happy, and than I saw hot air balloons coming my way... 7 of them, floating peacefully in the air, completing this amazing view. I had to laugh how happy I felt. Forget the fancy car I could have bought for all my traveling money... this moment will stay with me forever.
Day 9
Ken is leaving. He has to deal with some personal problems so this is our last day together here in Myanmar. We might be able to catch up somewhere in Southeast Asia.
I woke up early and biked to watch the sunrise again. It is too pretty to pass on that, and I was up anyway with the music and prayers coming from the monastery near our hotel.
I found a hotel to move to the next day, that will be more affordable for me, since it will be just me. Decent room for $15, with not too bad outside bathroom with refreshingly cold shower.
I biked to Old Bagan in the afternoon and stopped at my favorite temple to watch the sunset. It was way busier than in the morning. God bless all the lazy tourists who like to sleep in, allowing me to have the temples almost for myself in the mornings.
Day 10
I am getting into a routine here.
I watched the sunrise, than biked most of the afternoon to more remote and less touristy areas. Watched the sunset and had few beers with some British travelers I met in town.
Day 11 Floating in sky over Bagan.
Since the first morning, I knew I wanted to go on the hot air balloon flight. It is not cheep here, $300, for sure big dent in my budget, but .... money are for spending.... and Ken lend me some of his reminding US dollars so I don't have to worry about running out of cash (Myanmar has no ATMs , so you have to bring all your cash with you and with the prices for hotels being almost double than what I have expected, budgeting is not easy.)
I got picked-up at before 6 am, another early morning for me.
It was interesting to watch the crew getting the balloons ready. We drunk some tea, ate some cookies and listen to the safety talk and we were soon ready to take off.
It was incredible. We flew to the river than towards the temples. We watched the sunrise. The flight was very peaceful and mellow, not at all scary. Our British pilot expertly steered us over the valley and sometimes lowed the balloon to get really close to some of the temples. Landing was smooth and we ended the trip with glass of champagne. Over all one great experience.
The usual, pictures are more than words, enjoy.
I am in love with Bagan. What a place! I was wondering what was so special about Myanmar, not seeing anything that wonderful so far... until today. 4000 old temples in one valley. Most of them are dark red brick, all shapes and sizes, some have details painted on them, some you can climb to the top for a view, some are new, some are old.
I woke up early for the sunrise. I had to bike for half hour and got to the temples just in time for the colors to get amazing. What a beauty! I felt so happy, and than I saw hot air balloons coming my way... 7 of them, floating peacefully in the air, completing this amazing view. I had to laugh how happy I felt. Forget the fancy car I could have bought for all my traveling money... this moment will stay with me forever.
Day 9
Ken is leaving. He has to deal with some personal problems so this is our last day together here in Myanmar. We might be able to catch up somewhere in Southeast Asia.
I woke up early and biked to watch the sunrise again. It is too pretty to pass on that, and I was up anyway with the music and prayers coming from the monastery near our hotel.
I found a hotel to move to the next day, that will be more affordable for me, since it will be just me. Decent room for $15, with not too bad outside bathroom with refreshingly cold shower.
I biked to Old Bagan in the afternoon and stopped at my favorite temple to watch the sunset. It was way busier than in the morning. God bless all the lazy tourists who like to sleep in, allowing me to have the temples almost for myself in the mornings.
Day 10
I am getting into a routine here.
I watched the sunrise, than biked most of the afternoon to more remote and less touristy areas. Watched the sunset and had few beers with some British travelers I met in town.
Day 11 Floating in sky over Bagan.
Since the first morning, I knew I wanted to go on the hot air balloon flight. It is not cheep here, $300, for sure big dent in my budget, but .... money are for spending.... and Ken lend me some of his reminding US dollars so I don't have to worry about running out of cash (Myanmar has no ATMs , so you have to bring all your cash with you and with the prices for hotels being almost double than what I have expected, budgeting is not easy.)
I got picked-up at before 6 am, another early morning for me.
It was interesting to watch the crew getting the balloons ready. We drunk some tea, ate some cookies and listen to the safety talk and we were soon ready to take off.
It was incredible. We flew to the river than towards the temples. We watched the sunrise. The flight was very peaceful and mellow, not at all scary. Our British pilot expertly steered us over the valley and sometimes lowed the balloon to get really close to some of the temples. Landing was smooth and we ended the trip with glass of champagne. Over all one great experience.
The usual, pictures are more than words, enjoy.
