Myanmar (Burma)

Hello my lovelies! I know I am way behind on the blogfront, but most of my memory cards have gotten infected by viruses, so I've had a lot of picture stress lately. Anyway, I have pics from the end of my Myanmar trip still, so scroll down! 

The land of a thousand smiles! Never ever have a met a more genuinely nice people! This is where Buddhism is found in its purest form, and also the country where you find the highest MSG food contents in the world. But apart from the unimpressive cuisine, Myanmar had so much to offer and (for now) it still remains fairly untouched.

My journey in Myanmar (former Burma) started out in the most modern city, Yangon. Quickly you could pick up the characteristics of the Burmese: men in their skirts (longis), with deep red teeth from chewing Beetle Juice tobacco, and the women beautifully decorated in clay from the Tanaka tree for sun protection. And they all smile at you. All the time, every day. Just look at these lovely ladies:

Since there still is political turmoil in this country, I decided to join in on a group tour. The first leg of our journey took us through Bago to Kyaikto where the Golden Rock is. The Golden Rock is a spiritual rock covered in thick layers of gold leaves, that is said to be a petrified boat that once carried a piece of Buddha’s hair. Monks, pilgrims and Burmese travel from afar to see it. That day I had my picture taken with 60-70 different people on top of the mountain. It was a first for many of them to see a white, blonde girl. They are all so sweet and smiley, and let me take pictures of them as well, so I have enjoyed my two weeks of pretending to be a rockstar. 

Next up was the city Mandalay, where we visited oh so many pagodas (temples). We also came across an initiation ceremony for monks, where the prospective monks get dressed up and worshipped as ascending princes. Some will stay a monk for a week, some for a year and some for life. But every guy has to be a monk at least once in his life, as it gains merit for himself and his family. Monks fascinate me so much, I have loads of photos, but they are of course corrupted by silly viruses. I stared like an idiot every time I spotted a monk on the street (which was every other minute for two weeks).
 
The beautiful and sizzling hot city, Bagan, was next on our agenda. A city with over 4000 pagodas. Even thought you can get slightly pagoda sick, it can be quite nice to sit down by a pillar in a pagoda and have a few kids flock around you while a mother or a pruny granny come and hold your arm and sit together with you in peace and quiet. Get what I mean with them being nice and loving? Hardcore Buddhism at its best.

Kalaw was the next destination, a city up in the mountains, and a great place to trek. We made our way up a mountain to a village where they make tea, had a little fresh brew. Not too shabby. I was dehydrated, sleep deprived and struggling with my back, so Mellie was a slightly grumpy and antisocial bunny, but thinking back, Kalaw was truly beautiful.

A few days later we headed towards Nyaung Shwe, by Inle Lake, where we saw the unique floating villages and floating gardens during the day and experienced the phenomenal thunderstorms while drinking gin at night. After going to the local markets around the lake, I realize that I've only bought odd things here. I am now the proud owner of an ancient traditional opium pipe, a traditional tattoo needle, as well as an old Lara Croft'y knife. The latter purchase still confuses me.

There is so much more that happened in Myanmar, but there’s just too much to write down. It was all very cultural and spiritual. A fantastic experience ended where it began, in Yangon. 

Lots of love from the traveling road,

Merete // Mellie

Laos

After my magnificent stay in Vietnam, a month ago (bit behind on my blogging, but there ya go), our crew flew into Vientiane, the captial of Laos. Vientiane in itself is not the prettiest of cities, so already the next morning we were on our way to the backpacker city, Vang Vieng, where everyone appears to have taken a chill pill. If you wanna chill out in a bohemian cushiony restaurant while watching "Friends" on repeat, this is the place to do exactly that.

Unfortunately by the time we reached the place, people were dropping like flies. One after the other got sick. After having looked at the menus at the shady restaurants along the way, where they sold "deer meat soaked in the feces in the intestine", one can only wonder why. Later I got told that at the meat markets around the country they hit the raw, bloody meat with money for good luck, so there are loads of diseases for fragile western tummies louring in our wallets. To pick up a hand sanitizer OCD before going is a good tip!

The world heritage city, Luang Prabang, was up next. When we were there, the yearly waterfestival kicked off, so if you took a step outside you were already soaked with manky river water. One day we joined in on the fun, got a few waterguns and engaged in Battle Royal in the streets. Luang Prabang also has a brilliant night market, Phousi market, next to Mount Phousi... All puns possible have been used, believe you me.

After a few days we continued up the Mekong River and stopped at a little village by the lake. They were as curious of us as we were of them. Very shy, but oh so friendly. I got to sleep on the floor of the village chief's house, and slept like a baby compared to my friends who were either too worried about death by scorpions, too furious with confused roosters or merely too hot in this boiling pot of a country.

After a great homestay we crossed over to the Thai border and went through Chiang Kong and Chiang Mai before getting on yet another lush sleeper train down to Bangkok. The last days in Bangkok I spent with my babes, Tills, Rob and Harry, the latter one doesn't even lift. I laugh so much when I'm with these guys I think I've gained a dozen new wrinkles.

Cheers!

Lots of love from the traveling road,

Merete // Mellie