Overall, the vibe is Buddhism and bare feet.
Where I went:
Yangon (Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel—vintage, not luxurious, but total fun!)
Mandalay (Hotel Yadanarbon—modest hotel with a rooftop pool and free happy hour)
Bagan (Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort)
Ngapali Beach (Jasmine Resort)
What I wore:
It’s a Buddhist country and the weather is warm, so I packed plenty of bathing suits, head scarves, and many colorful skirts. And plenty of wet wipes because I was barefoot most of the time.
What I did:
Hsinbyume Pagoda in Mandalay is an absolute must! It’s visually stunning. I picked up an inexpensive umbrella from one of the local street vendors to amp of the drama of my photos.
Many visitors rank Inle Lake as their favorite site in Myanmar. Although I didn’t have time to visit, the photos of the floating villages, U Bein Bridge and the stilt fishermen are exquisite!
A hot air balloon ride over the Bagan Archaeological Zone is worth every penny. It’s breathtaking! Of the 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries that were constructed in the Bagan Plains from the 11th to 13th century, over 3,000 still remain and are stunning to see from the sky! If you’re planning a trip, keep in mind that the hot air balloons only operate between October and April, and they book well in advance.
I always enjoy ending my vacations with some beach time. Ngapali Beach on the Bay of Bengal is magical and serene. This highlight was serenading elephants at a local sanctuary—my idea of a perfect day!
What I ate/drank:
Definitely try the Tea Leaf Salad. Also, the legal drinking age is 18 and the local lager is Myanmar Beer.
Social media musts:
So many! I brought lots of colorful flowing skirts that I purchased at great prices from The Little Bazar. And I made sure to get a bright pedicure for the barefoot photos and carried a variety of scarves for pagoda visits.
The Hsinbyume Pagoda is a “must” for dramatic photos, and it’s not so crowded that you have to wait for the right shot. And definitely plan on plenty of photo ops in Bagan. The architecture of the pagodas provides so many amazing backdrops!
A Few Songs From My Travel Playlist For Myanmar:
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