Asterix goes to Myanmar

[asterixsg]

Thanks Asterixsg for sharing your tips, thoughts and photos of Myanmar. Looks like the people and places have not changed much since I was there on business and pleasure more than 15 years ago. I took more or less the same route you did. My most lasting impression of the place was the plain of Bagan (Pagan, the old name). At certain times of the day, it can be so quiet that the silence can be unnerving, what with Singaporeans being so used to noise. The other memorable place was of course Inyle Lake.

At that time I wasn't into photography so sorry no photos to post.

Cheers

Thanks for your comments here. Yes, Bagan is indeed very special. If the watchman didn't chase us away from Pyathada after the sun went down, I guess my friends and I would've stayed there all night. It was simply AWESOME.

I met an Austrian couple in Bagan who had visited Myanmar 18 years back, and they told me that Myanmar is still the same as it was then. The only difference they found was that some girls are wearing jeans now :bsmilie:

 

[asterixsg]

#67. Young monk at Shwe Yaungwe Monastery, Inle Lake

Our LP guide said that this is the most photographed monastery in Inle Lake. We went past it when driving from Heho to Nyaung Shwe. My friend and I looked at each other. Before we could say anything, we had zipped past the place. Too late to react.

We made it a point to stop here on our way back. As soon as we boarded the car at Nyaung Shwe, we told the driver - "We want you to stop the car at the Window monastery. You know which one ?". He nodded "Yes, yes, yes. I know".

Desperate kiasu travellers and photographers :bsmilie:

The sun was a bit too strong, and I couldn't avoid the blown highlights on the monk's head :-(

 

[pyrocarbon]

The governement of Myanmar should just hire you and to promote their country..haha..
Those are really postcard pictures..Great shots!

 

[asterixsg]

The governement of Myanmar should just hire you and to promote their country..haha..
Those are really postcard pictures..Great shots!

Thanks bro. I would love to promote responsible tourism in Myanmar.

#68. Stupas at Indein

Indein is a half day trip at Inle Lake. Well, we made it so, because of a complete loss in our sense of direction. Our travel agent had written to us that for a panoramic view, we should climb a hillock next to the stupas. The way was through a bamboo forest.

As we started off from where our boatman left us, we saw a bamboo forest to the right. Ah. So, this is it. And we walked for almost half an hour. Yet, there was no sign of any stupas at all. We looked all around, greeted a few villagers "Mingalabaar !!!" and asked them "Indein ?", "Stupas ?", but were met with blank stares. We realized we were on the wrong track. Turnaround time. Suddenly, we saw some stupas on a hillock. We three jokers clambered up the hill, thinking we had reached our destination. There were handful of stupas and a temple in ruins. You can see the hillock in the top left corner of the photo below.

As we looked all around, we found the closely packed stupas at a distance - so far away :embrass:

Walked all the way back. An old man - probably a caretaker of the temple, pointed us to the hillock (from where I took this photo).

 

[asterixsg]

#69. Good morning

Everybody, rise and shine

 

[newdonkey]

Gorgeous! Man. If got chance, I should learn the tips from you

 

[asterixsg]

Gorgeous! Man. If got chance, I should learn the tips from you

Bro, don't embarrass me. You've got some classic photos from your travels. Myanmar is so beautiful, that anyone can capture decent photos.

Too bad, I missed your Yuanyang trip. I have long planned to go there, but somehow never worked out. Next time...

 

[maxwell207]

man .. you made my country such a beauty !! :thumbsup:

 

[asterixsg]

man .. you made my country such a beauty !! :thumbsup:

bro, mingalabaar ! Your country is simply too beautiful. All I did was just be there 100%. That's all. I want to go back to Myanmar. I want to go back to Bagan. I want to go back to Inle Lake. That's all that goes on in my thoughts these days.

 

[asterixsg]

#14 edited. A rendition of U Bein bridge as viewed through a wide angle


This one is for night86mare. Thanks bro, for the wonderful writeup on how to do perspective correction. If an idiot like me can understand, I am certain anyone can. Good job :thumbsup:

 

[Mike007]

It's amazing!! All your photos are really touching to my heart. Morever, you made my country for a beauty. For all of that, I sincerely thank you.

If you have a chance again, you are reminded to try to other places as following:

1) "Mrauk U" which was once the capital of a flourishing Rhakine Kingdom in 15th Century ( if i am not wrong). Alternative to Bagan, you can also see alot of an interesting pagodas, temples in there. Hope we can also see your nice pictures with different history backgrounds.

2) "Golden Rock aka Kyaik Hti Yoe" where a pagoda is on the top of golden rock. You can get the nice views of sunraise and sunset too and planty of natural & geographical landscape photos. The best time to visit there would be somewhere around Nov~Jan.

3) "Pyin Oo Lwin aka May Myo" which is famous as Myanmar Highland City of Flowers. It is not so far from Mandalay. Just for 1 hour drive distance. There are alot of interesting places in and surrounding of the Pyin Oo Lwin such as water fall, botanic garden, colonial history abounds, caves, culture of Shan races. Once you arrive there, try to get an experience with horse drawn carriages that you cannot find in anywhere.

Apart from there, there are alot of places that you should try to visit. But, discussing with travel agent will be more helpful than me and they can guide you whatever you want.

Btw, I am not working for any travel agencys or being a promoter of tourism.

Once you decide to visit to Myanmar again in December or January, then, you can let me know. See whether I can accompany to you or not as I am now working in Singapore and normally, I always take a long holidays (1 month) either Dec or Jan.

Again, THANK YOU INDEED, DUDE!!!

 

[archboy]

It's amazing!! All your photos are really touching to my heart. Morever, you made my country for a beauty. For all of that, I sincerely thank you.

If you have a chance again, you are reminded to try to other places as following:

1) "Mrauk U" which was once the capital of a flourishing Rhakine Kingdom in 15th Century ( if i am not wrong). Alternative to Bagan, you can also see alot of an interesting pagodas, temples in there. Hope we can also see your nice pictures with different history backgrounds.

2) "Golden Rock aka Kyaik Hti Yoe" where a pagoda is on the top of golden rock. You can get the nice views of sunraise and sunset too and planty of natural & geographical landscape photos. The best time to visit there would be somewhere around Nov~Jan.

3) "Pyin Oo Lwin aka May Myo" which is famous as Myanmar Highland City of Flowers. It is not so far from Mandalay. Just for 1 hour drive distance. There are alot of interesting places in and surrounding of the Pyin Oo Lwin such as water fall, botanic garden, colonial history abounds, caves, culture of Shan races. Once you arrive there, try to get an experience with horse drawn carriages that you cannot find in anywhere.

Apart from there, there are alot of places that you should try to visit. But, discussing with travel agent will be more helpful than me and they can guide you whatever you want.

Btw, I am not working for any travel agencys or being a promoter of tourism.

Once you decide to visit to Myanmar again in December or January, then, you can let me know. See whether I can accompany to you or not as I am now working in Singapore and normally, I always take a long holidays (1 month) either Dec or Jan.

Again, THANK YOU INDEED, DUDE!!!

Agree with bro Mike

 

[asterixsg]

It's amazing!! All your photos are really touching to my heart. Morever, you made my country for a beauty. For all of that, I sincerely thank you.

If you have a chance again, you are reminded to try to other places as following:

1) "Mrauk U" which was once the capital of a flourishing Rhakine Kingdom in 15th Century ( if i am not wrong). Alternative to Bagan, you can also see alot of an interesting pagodas, temples in there. Hope we can also see your nice pictures with different history backgrounds.

2) "Golden Rock aka Kyaik Hti Yoe" where a pagoda is on the top of golden rock. You can get the nice views of sunraise and sunset too and planty of natural & geographical landscape photos. The best time to visit there would be somewhere around Nov~Jan.

3) "Pyin Oo Lwin aka May Myo" which is famous as Myanmar Highland City of Flowers. It is not so far from Mandalay. Just for 1 hour drive distance. There are alot of interesting places in and surrounding of the Pyin Oo Lwin such as water fall, botanic garden, colonial history abounds, caves, culture of Shan races. Once you arrive there, try to get an experience with horse drawn carriages that you cannot find in anywhere.

Apart from there, there are alot of places that you should try to visit. But, discussing with travel agent will be more helpful than me and they can guide you whatever you want.

Btw, I am not working for any travel agencys or being a promoter of tourism.

Once you decide to visit to Myanmar again in December or January, then, you can let me know. See whether I can accompany to you or not as I am now working in Singapore and normally, I always take a long holidays (1 month) either Dec or Jan.

Again, THANK YOU INDEED, DUDE!!!

Thanks for your kind words. I thoroughly enjoyed travelling in Myanmar.

Your tips will definitely help in my future visits. And yes, I will certainly go to Myanmar again. But I dunno when....

Agree with bro Mike

Thanks bro.

 

[Valjean]

A most excellent series of beautiful photographs, made all the more so engaging by the storytelling. I just wish to say that I thoroughly enjoyed going through your photographs. If I had to pick favourites, it would be these - #10, 35, 50, 58, 69.

 

[asterixsg]

A most excellent series of beautiful photographs, made all the more so engaging by the storytelling. I just wish to say that I thoroughly enjoyed going through your photographs. If I had to pick favourites, it would be these - #10, 35, 50, 58, 69.

Thanks for your comments. The photos you have picked are my favourites as well. I am not yet done, lots more still to come :bsmilie:

 

[littlesuperherogirl]

wow. they are really gorgeous - really make me wanna go to Myanmar. In fact, I was near Myanmar during my trip to Chiang Rai since I was at the border there. I think I will plan a trip there on my trip to Chiang Rai again. Good job! And thanks for the heads up, they sure help me and especially the one snakes in Bagan! (Y)

 

[asterixsg]

wow. they are really gorgeous - really make me wanna go to Myanmar. In fact, I was near Myanmar during my trip to Chiang Rai since I was at the border there. I think I will plan a trip there on my trip to Chiang Rai again. Good job! And thanks for the heads up, they sure help me and especially the one snakes in Bagan! (Y)

thanks. glad you liked the photos. do make sure that you pick the best time of the year to visit Myanmar. enjoy travelling :thumbsup:

 

[Bathtub81]

#34 my fav Its so calm
But without those leaves below will be better

 

[asterixsg]

#34 my fav Its so calm
But without those leaves below will be better

Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, from where we were, the shrubs were unavoidable at that focal length


70. Concentration

 

[asterixsg]

#71. Waiting for a new day to begin