Boogacres: Asia - Laos to Myanmar - Tuesday, February 27, 2018

We took our group photo today in front of the airplane. It's so hard to get 75 people to line up together, much less smile and keep their eyes open!! I think we got a good one, but won't know until NatGeo sends it out to us.

So we got our own photo. And Stevie's eyes are OPEN!!

Welcome to Myanmar (Burma). Julie, Pat, Midge, Lorri and Stevie.

This morning, we took our jet to Yangon, Myanmar, where we changed planes and continued on to Bagan, Myanmar. We checked in to our gorgeous hotel, Aureum Palace, at lunch time. Another Buffett, but delicious.

Another buffet, but at least it was unique and interesting.

The suite here was amazing. Here are a few photos:

The bedroom and Bath were upstairs

Two large balconies overlooked a pond and several temples.

View from my room.

The living room.

I loved the hand carved doors that led to the dining room and kitchen area.

The dining room was not so simple, but adequate and quite spacious!

Loved all the builtins and the carved door going into the master bath.

The tub was HUGE!

The fruit basket was delicious!!

After lunch, we toured Ananda Temple, one of the four surviving temples from the 12th century and then on to the gilded Shwesigon Pagoda from the 11th century.

Ananda Temple, home to four HUGE Buddhas and countless smaller ones. Beautiful place.

Ananda Temple

Here is just one of the Buddhas. To give you a size perspective, those are people standing in front of the Buddha.

The minute we stepped off the bus - oops, I meant to say "coach", we were approached, or I should say accosted by various craft vendors. These folks would not take "no" for an answer. Once we reached the doors to the Temple, they were not allowed to enter, but they said, "Maybe later." Well at that point, I'd agree to about anything, so I said "maybe later." When we came out, they were waiting!! Same people. "You say, maybe later. I wait for you."

Pat was immediately surrounded by the vendors.

They have a yellow paste on their faces to protect them from the sun. The guys think this is quite sexy.

Just buy something already!! They are not going away!!

This one latched on to me. I continued to say "no thank you," which fell on deaf ears. Finally, I asked her if she would like to go to the U.S. and sell cars. We need salespeople as persistent as she! The "maybe later" remark meant I was her mark!!

After touring the temple, I intentionally walked around the back of the "coach" to escape the vendors. They were jumping up and down at my window still tying to sell me things.

When they still wouldn't accept "no", we boarded our bus and headed to the Shwesigon. Imagine my surprise when I stepped off the coach and was greeted by the SAME vendor. When we loaded in our bus, they loaded in a van and followed us to the next stop.

These folks were at the Shwesigon Pagoda BEFORE we were. The Bagan badgering began again.

Unbelievable!! I finally caved and bought a pair of pants for $7.00. I thought that would be the end of it. But no. That opened the flood gates to the other vendors. They literally had us surrounded. And they were chasing the bus after us. I know they are just trying to make a living, but it was actually quite annoying after a while.

My $7.00 pants.

Shwesigon Pagoda.

Pat, Stevie, Julie, Lorri and Midge.

We finally escaped back to the grounds of the hotel and stopped at Bagan Viewing Tower on the grounds of the Ananda to check out the view of the area. Bagan has hundreds of temples, pagodas and stupas. They are everywhere along the road. It reminded me of a bike ride I took with Jac and Jeff in Rome when we rode bikes on the Appian Way. Ruins were alongside the Appian Way and we could stop and explore them. So interesting. Well, Bagan is the same way. Temple, Stupa and Pagoda remains are everywhere. Each one seemingly out doing the next. All with statues of Buddha.

Stevie and I at the top of the Bagan Viewing Tower at Sunset. Notice all of the peaks behind us. Those are Temples, Stupas or Pagodas.

One of the temples we could see from the tower at sunset.

These were temple and Stupa ruins alongside the road. They are literally EVERYWHERE!

After we watched the sun setting on the temples, we found ourselves back at the hotel at the poolside bar for happy hour, followed by another lovely buffet. (I'm using the term "lovely" here loosely!" But the setting WAS lovely.

We have dinner scheduled poolside tonight. A beautiful sunset welcomes us.

But first ... happy hour!

One of my favorite shots taken with my iPhone at sunset from the end of the pool at the Ananda Hotel.

And how about this one???

Hey, not bad for an amateur photographer. Even our NatGeo Photographer, Jay, was impressed,

Finally, the entire group assembled for Happy Hour.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

The next morning, we left the hotel VERY early to go on a hot air balloon ride with David and Jen. They had made the arrangements and Stevie and I were lucky enough to tag along.

Our Hot Air Balloon brigade. Julie, Marion, Chris, Stevie, Jenny and David.

Filling up the balloons with hot air. Hell, we could have done THAT!

I have a "thing" for balloons. Have all my life. This was such a fun and special morning!

Up, up and away! Just as the sun was rising over Bagan.

Temples, Pagodas, Monasteries and Stupas dot the landscape.

Ely took this photo with a camera attached to the balloon.

We flew over our hotel this morning. It's a huge place. Quite nice. On the right side of the photo, one can see the tower where we took photos at sunset last night.

I can never have too many balloon photos.

I believe Pat got this photo of us taking off. She was taking photos from the ground.

Check out some of the temples below.

This adorable, rickety old bus picked us up this morning. It was quite a ride. Felt like it had solid rubber tires on the wheels, and no shock absorbers AT ALL. But it got us there!

Fields of sesame grow here.

Our pilot, Ely. EXCELLENT.

Peak inside the door of this temple to see the Buddha.

We flew over this small village. Ely and several other volunteers worked to get electricity to this village a few years back.

Photographer, Stevie snaps photos of Jenny & David.

And Chris and Marion.

The NatGeo people were VERY nervous and advised us NOT to go on the hot air balloon because we had to leave the hotel at 8:45 to catch our flight to Inle Lake. But we chose to take the balloon ride anyway. Good choice. It was one of the highlights of the trip. Rising up over the beautiful area at sunrise, we were able to get a feel for just how many temples are in the area. Our pilot, Ely, from Australia, was amazing. She pointed out various temples and shared stories of local folklore. I'm so glad we chose to mutiny and go on this balloon ride with Jenny and David. By the way, we made it back to the hotel in plenty of time to get to the airport with the group.

Jenny & David.

The ground crew helping land the balloon.

Safe and sound on the ground.

And guess who was waiting for us when we landed???? How did these vendors find us???

Thought this was an interesting photo of the ballon deflating with the bus in the background.

Traditional champagne and snacks to celebrate a successful flight and landing.

And we OF COURSE partook of the champagne. Jenny, Chris, Marion, David, Julie and Stevie.

Cheers to awesome new fiends, David and Jenny.

Heck, Stevie and I will drink to ANYTHING!!

Before we left this morning, I snapped a couple more photos of the beautiful view from the Ananda.

Not bad for an amateur photographer with an iPhone!

We took a charter flight to our next stop, Inle Lake. On the way to the Aureum Resort, we stopped to check out the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery. Seems this NatGeo trip should be titled "The Temple Tour," as we've visited a temple, monastery, pagoda or stupa EVERY single day. Some days multiple temples, monasteries, pagodas or stupas!

Our charter to Inle Lake.

There is a difference between a Temple and a Stupa. People go INSIDE a temple. Where as relicts and remains are placed INSIDE a Stupa and sealed up. The Stupa is considered a holy place and people visit - walking around the OUTSIDE of the Stupa.

Another stop along our journey.

NatGeo expert, Carol and I tour Inle Lake.

Wait!! Is this another Pagoda tour?? Did I sign up for this???

This afternoon, after lunch, we hopped in small boats and made our way across Inle Lake to visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. Ladies were not allowed in many areas of this Pagoda. I was on the first boat back to the hotel and hit the gym. At this point, I'm ready for a "temple tap out!" Enough already!!

This is the beautiful open air lobby of the Aureum Resort.

The boats line up to take us out on Inle Lake.

This friendly fellow assisted with the boat loading.

A local fisherman poses for photos.

All that work for THIS????

These boats are the mode of transportation around here.

Pat and Lorri are in the boat next to us.

Inside Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. Ladies are prohibited to enter. I lost interest in a hurry and headed back to the first boat back to the hotel.

Marion lost interest in a hurry too. We're out!!

It's a beautiful sunset at the hotel.

Voted the worst gym on the trip, Aureum Resort at Inle Lake.

Comfy sitting room.

Walk in shower with lots of white stones.

The beds were decorated with rose pedals.

Check out the large wooden bath tub.

Instead of a nice piece of chocolate at my bedside, this hotel leaves a bottle of mosquito spray in addition to the mosquito curtain. And here's something we don't see any more in the U.S. Trucks drove through the resort fogging for mosquitos. (See below). Wow!

We had our evening cocktail hour overlooking Inle Lake and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset and then had dinner at the hotel. Surprisingly, another buffet. I'm beginning to hear some whispers about all the buffets.

It's happy hour. Where is everybody??!!

Here they are!!

Thursday, March 1, 2018

This morning, we had a meditation lesson. I've been kind of interested in meditation, thinking it would be a good stress reliever and a way to slow down my mind. So I attended the class. I flunked. When the teacher reached the point where he was telling us to be mindful of the air coming into our nostrils, all I could think about was my nose itching. And when he asked us to put the palms of our hands together and feel the warmth of our hands, my mind wandered to how badly I needed hand lotion. Guess I'm not cut out to be a meditator. But it was a fun experience.

After meditation class, we boarded the boats again, traveling across Inle Lake to visit Inn Thein Village and craft market. I've never seen anything like the craft market. Located in a long narrow covered building, the market extended for almost 1/4 mile.

Greeted this morning by Myanmarese in local costumes.

Our boats await.

Local fisherman poses.

Jenny, David and Stevie on our boat to the market.

The homes along the village were rustic, but quite pretty. Wouldn't want to live there, but they are colorful and interesting.

Laundry day in Myanmar.

How do they get clothes clean using this dirty water?

There are a series of "locks and damns on the river. Very interesting. A simple dam is built of bamboo and weeds with a small opening to get the boats through.

Inle Lake is famous for it's hydroponic farms. Largest hydroponic farms on the planet.

Many homes are built of bamboo. They last about ten years and have to be "re-skinned" with fresh bamboo matting.

This is the largest covered market I've ever seen.

It all started very gently and innocently with David buying a scarf.

Ladies! Man your purses and get to buying. And we did.

Perfect Midge. It compliments your eyes!! Buy it.

At one point, there was a junction where we walked outside to visit the Stupa Forrest. Hundreds of stupas of all shapes sizes, and materials were located just outside the market. It was fun to wander through and explore the various styles. I can imagine walking through here at dusk. Must be mystical.

The Stupa Forest had hundreds of stupas.

Fascinating! Seemed almost magical.

The Stupa Forest.

Back inside the market, I stumbled upon a vendor selling bowls and paintings. He didn't make the bowls, but he did embellish them with paintings. He also painted pictures of the local Inle Lake fishermen. (The fishermen have a particular style and method to their fishing. I've show you photos of them.). Ok, so the guy does paintings and paints bowls. Here's the part I failed to mention earlier. He does this with his left foot. Born with no arms and only one foot, he's a self taught artist.

It was amazing watching this fellow paint. He also opened his wallet and made change with his foot when people bought items from him.

I was captivated by this artist's skills.

The artist signs my paintings.

Presenting my signed painting.

He was born without arms and only has one leg. Yet this guy has learned to paint. I was fascinated by his ability. Bought three paintings and 5 bowls from him. Oh yeah, I also failed to mention that he's blind in one eye. Talk about adversity and making lemonade out of lemons! This guy supports his entire family with his art. How blessed are we??

After visiting the market, NatGeo arranged a picnic in a bamboo forest along the river. We had traditional foods that were quite tasty.

NatGeo arranged a picnic for us in a bamboo forest complete with long neck girls.

Our picnic table.

Our picnic in the bamboo forest.

Long neck girls study their cell phones. Technology has arrived in Myanmar, yet they still practice archaic traditions like "long necks." These girls wear these rings around their necks beginning at the age of 9 until adulthood, adding new rings every year to extend the length of the necks. I can't stand having a turtle neck around my neck. I can't imagine how confining this must be!!

Selfie giant umbrella shot.

When it was time to return to the boats for our trip back to the hotel, we were greeted once again by the aggressive vendors. This time, it was mostly kids selling scarves. So annoying. They kept shouting "two for five dollars," while pushing and shoving the scarves in our hands. I bought two for $5.00. But my incredible negotiator, Pat, got two for $4.00. Heck, I would have given them $100.00 to just go away.

Pat held out and got Two for Four ... 2 scarves for $4.00

They look sweet, don't they? They were relentless!!

Stevie buying a scarf.

We were swarmed by the kids selling colorful scarves before boarding our boats. They were relentless! Started out at $5.00 each, then quickly dropped to "2 for 5!!" Jenny and David were swarmed!!

Hey WAIT! I see a temple that we missed!!

This guy liked driving fast.

I loved the "boat houses" along the river. They were just crude little sheds with plants on the outer edged to hide the boats.

Aren't we adorable with our umbrellas protecting us from the sun?

It was quite sunny and warm on the ride back. I felt so special riding along with my umbrella to block the sun, until it turned wrong side out. Then it got ugly.

Two for $5.00. They got Stevie.

Stevie in a fisherman's cage in hotel lobby.

We had a really fun dinner at the hotel tonight. The theme was street food. Delicious! We also lighted lanterns and floated them in the pool to have our wishes granted. Interesting and fun tradition.