Note: if you are inspired to visit Bagan, check out this practical guide to aid your planning.
Please read part 1 for an intro to Bagan before viewing this gallery.
Category: Posts
Bagan Pilgrimage, part 1
Note: if you are inspired to visit Bagan, check out this practical guide to aid your planning.
It’s been said millions of times – Bagan is incredible. Â Let me say it again: Bagan is fucking incredible. Â If you’re into Buddhism, Indiana Jones, architecture, art, history, or any combination of these, then you’ll agree with me, I guarantee it.
For much of the 2.5 days that I spent in Bagan, I was literally breathless. Â Granted, Â some of my oxygen shortage resulted from being on the brink of heatstroke, but most of it was attributable to pure awe.
I mentioned earlier that you should visit Inle Lake for its people, and Bagan for its history. Â Here goes.
Kalaw, Myanmar – another environmental disaster
As beautiful as it is, Kalaw is not without its environmental problems. The locals depend on agriculture for their livelihood, and sadly, farming practices here are far from sustainable. Â As recently as 30 years ago, tigers could still be hunted in this area. Â Now there are none left. Â The remaining “Reserve Forest” has only been protected because an important water reservoir is located within it. Â This tiny patch of protected forest covers less than a single mountaintop, not enough land area to support even one large predator.
Kalaw, Myanmar
Note: if you have been inspired to visit Kalaw, check out this more practical article to aid your planning.
Kalaw is a town about 50 km west of Inle Lake. Â It’s a great area for hiking because, at an elevation of over 4,000 feet, its climate is cool year-round, and it is surrounded by green hills full of interesting vegetation and friendly villages.
Inle Lake tomatoes – a bedtime story
Today’s post tells the story of Inle Lake’s tomatoes, complete with pictures for the kiddies.