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Trip to Myanmar--November, 2016
Linda and Tom Averill
​Slide Show of Photos with captions at end of trip information

​Tom and I recently took another outstanding trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). Once again, we highly recommend this travel company.  This recent trip to Myanmar was our fifth with OAT and again we found the trip to be outstanding in quality and reasonable in cost. Accommodations were comfortable and some times even elegant.  The food was extraordinary.  If anyone is interested in knowing more, just shoot me an email and I will get back to you.
 
We travelled to Myanmar in October to avoid high temperatures and heavy rains.  We felt the timing was excellent for comfort and weather.  We had a couple of short periods of heavy rain but mostly the days were sunny or partly cloudy with temperatures in the 80’s. We were also fortunate to be in Myanmar during the full moon celebrations in October, some of the most sacred and elaborate of all. Every month there is some celebration during the full moon. We travelled through Hong Kong, which always makes for a good extension either pre or post the main tour.
 
I have viewed Suzanne Whitacre’s beautiful review of her recent Southeast Asia trip also with OAT, which includes a portion of our Myanmar trip.  I will not repeat the information she provided, but will include some of my favorite photos from the same regions.  Our trip began in Yangon and then proceeded to Bagan, Mandalay, Kalaw, and Inle Lake before returning to Yangon.  Kalaw and Inle Lake are in Shan State and feature a number of the major ethnic groups found in Myanmar.  
 
Like Sue, Tom and I loved every minute of our trip to this beautiful and friendly nation.  It was so very interesting, colorful, spiritual, and exotic.  There were so many examples of a new modern clashing with the characteristics of a third world country.  It is without doubt, one of the poorest countries we have visited yet the people are happy, generous, and incredibly friendly and warm.  There is a sense of hope that is pervasive though Myanmar is a long ways off from pure democracy. 
 
There were also many noticeable customs and practices that were intriguing and curious.  One of our favorites was the use of thanaka paste on faces.  The paste comes from the thanaka tree bark.  It is used for three purposes according to our guide:  1) cosmetic beauty 2) protection from the sun 3) skin softener.  Every household has a kit with the bark, a stone for grinding, and some brushes.  We saw some incredible designs.  It is worn by both men and women, but I think I saw it more frequently on females.  In more rural areas, everyone had it on including me!
 
Another practice that is found the throughout the country is the ubiquitous tea shop where locals catch up on news and politicos discuss the country’s state of affairs while munching on delicious dishes and sipping wonderful tea.  I LOVED hanging out in these spots and was always begging our guide to allow a few minutes for a quick stop.
 
There are also many different practices that occur around pagodas. For example, at most larger pagoda, besides one or more Buddha figures, one will also find a series of animal figures.  Based on one’s birthday (including hour of birth), an animal is assigned.  Mine is a lion.  You can find your animal inside the pagoda and using a water source that is usually nearby, can pour water over the figure multiple times for a blessing.  I did this repeatedly of course!
 
When visiting the Maharani Paya (pagoda) in Mandalay, we were lucky to witness another practice--donation ceremonies when families donate to the monastery.  Young girls often have ears pierced, while young boys often serve their mandatory few days in a monastery.  This is a fairly complicated ceremony.  There is much more detail on the Internet for those who might be interested in knowing more.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, is one of the most sacred in all of Myanmar.  Four ancient Buddhas reside inside, but they have been covered by so much gold leaf that they are no longer recognizable.  Because we were there during the Full Moon Celebration, we saw huge processions of people visiting and placing more gold leaf on the Buddhas. 
 
Finally, in parts of Myanmar there is a practice of women wearing coils on their necks. These coils worn (initially to protect women from roaming tigers) on their necks (and legs) can never be removed as the neck would collapse and individual would die.  This custom is dying out at this time.  Over time, some members of the tribe moved to neighboring Thailand to avoid discrimination in their own region.
 
I have chosen photos that I hope will demonstrate the beauty and diversity of this country.  I might add that Tom and I felt completely safe at all times.  In the more rural areas (Bagan, Kalaw, and Inle Lake area), I frequently got up very early and walked for long periods before our day officially started.  The sights and sounds I saw and heard in the early morning light were unbelievable…… small pagodas with candles burning, monks seeking daily alms, oxen plowing deep green fields, early morning markets filled with gorgeous fresh vegetables….The list goes on and on.  Go to Myanmar.  Go now.  Change is in the air.