Village Life Around Bagan, Myanmar

A local eccentric shopper

Children playing

Cows in front of a house

A teenager getting a haircut in a barber shop

Our guide Mu Mu on right with a friend

When we told our guide Mu Mu that we wanted to see how people lived and we did not really want to see more temples nor go on an ox cart ride (too Disneyland for us), she graciously designed a wonderful few days where we went on a boat trip up the river to see how people really lived in villages where her family had lived- grandparents and parents- before they moved, or in some cases were told to move by the government.

She took us to the marketplace, to dusty villages, to see children playing and people living their lives. It was so much better than the tourist track! People were very gracious to us and we walked around their small villages. Most of the men were at work. The women were working too. Making things to sell- rice patties, handicrafts, cooking for their families, watching the small children.

More in the next post... so much to see and share!!

Bagan, Myanmar- Along the Irrawaddy River

Doing laundry along the river

Taking off cargo from the boats along the river

Flying the flag

Using the river for transportation

We took a boat ride down the Irrawaddy River which is a significant part of everyday life for  the people in Bagan. We saw women pounding laundry on rocks, old boats churning the muddy waters, fishermen catching their livelihood. The Irrawaddy River is key to many people in the city.

Next post will describe our visit to some of the small villages along the river!

Bagan, Myanmar- Most Gorgeous Hotel Ever!

Around the pool

Sunset at the infinity pool

Landscaping around our villa

Reception area

We stayed in what is acknowledged to be the best hotel in Myanmar- the Aureum Palace Report and Spa- in a Jasmine Villa which had a large bedroom/living room, giant bath and patio. This sprawling hotel had 114 separate grand villas (ours was far from the biggest) on an exquisitely landscaped property which overlooks a breath-taking scene of Bagan's pagoda-studded landscape across a lotus-dappled lake.

It was fun living in the lap of luxury for a few nights!

Myanmar- Bagan

This small town in central Myanmar has over 2000 pagodas and stupas. Many date back to the 11th and 12th century. We are staying in the most beautiful hotel in the country and the most beautiful one we've ever stayed it. The Aureum Palace Hotel and Resort is spectacular! The villas are lovely and the service is wonderful but the views are what is truly amazing! A camera cannot capture it but I try.