Sorry for the brief hiatus from writing, but we have been computer challenged. After days of power outages that last all day and non existent or too slow internet connections we are finally back on line - for today only and then who knows ... but back to our story ... when you last left our travellers they were headed to Bagan. Ah, travel in Myanmar: there is the bus usually at night and on roads that will make your stomach churn and your organs rumble; the train which takes 5X as long as the bus, but where you might gaze some beautiful scenery as you move at a snail's pace; the plane, infinitely more civilized and relatively cheap compared to private or shared taxis and where you can cover a 14 hour bus trip in ... read more

Our trip to Inle Lake, home of the Intha people started off in high spirits as we shared our taxi with fellow travellers, Ven and Anita from England, Laura and Sarah from the US via Laos and Therese from Switzerland via Singapore. The topography was vastly different from the dry plains of Bagan and so were the people. The trees and the rolling hills seemed greener than ever after the browns and greys of the east and the people reflected the landscape, dressed in warmer clothes for the cooler climes. After settling into our guesthouse we were off to explore the town of Nyaungshwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. Nyaungshwe also known as Yaungshwe means Golden Banyan tree and according to our guidebook would be over run with tourists in the high season and we were ... read more

We left the heat and smog of Yangon to land in the dark of the Mandalay International Airport, at least in name. Surprisingly when we landed there were absolutely no lights on and as we were ferried to the luggage carosel, the lights flickered on and off and out popped out bags. There was no one about and since the plane was only a third full and contained only 3 other tourists, the place was dead. Welcome to Mandalay! Walked outside to the pitch dark - so strange for an airport and found our bags whisked off to a taxi by a small boy. Naturally we had no bargaining power since it was obvious that we were in the middle of nowhere and they could charge whatever exorbitant fees they thought that someone rich enough to ... read more

There was long day written all over Dec 10th when we left for YVR and got ready to hop our first, mere 11 1/2 hour flight to Beijing. Ah, Air Canada, not our favourite airline for many reasons and the main one of that day being leaving late for our very tight connection in Beijing to Bangkok. But all was saved as we were met right off the plane in Beijing with a sign and our boarding passes. The next 6 hours were a blur as we tried to stay awake in the lounge and then gave in for the flight to Bangkok. Woke up to the sound of the captain announcing our descent into the new airport, now the largest in South East Asia. As we taxied up to the terminal it seemed absolutely massive, ... read more

Only two more sleeps 'til we leave the wetcoast and head for sultry, steamy, South East Asia. This time: destination: Myanmar (Burma). For most of you who don't know just where it is I am including a little map to help situate us in your mind's eye. ... read more