………………..me ……………….only sometimes, if perhaps some small trinket catches my eye, is especially appealing or is likely to evoke a special memory. It has to be small as I’m unlikely to have much if any luggage space. I did buy a colourful mug in Buenos Aires as the colours were bright and the mugs did not appear […]
The fingers of the Mandalay silk weavers work so quickly with the shuttles that they are a blur. The ladies pair up to make traditional patterned weaves on wooden looms and are happy to carry on giggling and smiling whilst we watch over them. Our guide Khin Nyein Thu was happy to show us inside a casting […]
As we floated up towards Sin Kyun Village, Myanmar we were met with smiles and waves despite the stifling heat and the fact that they were busy building river defences to save their village from the annual Irrawaddy floods. Their work was done by hand, heaving heavy rocks, moving bags of cement on their heads and clearing […]
Take yourself to Gaw Wein Jetty on a Saturday and watch the local women hang out their colourful washing to dry. Climb Mandalay Hill or take a taxi to the top, hop on the escalators for a fantastic view of the city from Su Taung Pyai Pagoda. Watch the sun set at U Bein bridge in nearby Amarapura. Admire the […]
Most people travel to Bagan to see the mind blowing Bagan Plains, these need to be viewed at different times of the day to see the changing colours and the sun set. There are some raised areas which lend themselves to sun setting scenes. Grab yourself a horse and cart ride to see the temples up […]
Sagaing is south of Mandalay on the River Irrawaddy and was the first port of call on The Grey Traveller cruise from Mandalay to Bagan with Sanctuary Retreats. I couldn’t help but be impressed with the dazzling gold stupa even if the soles of my feet were burning! It’s customary to take off shoes and cover knees […]
Maybe I was charmed by the deep orange colour or the colonial history – I don’t know which ……but I do know the bar man on the cruise ship Ananda is a skilled mixologist. The cocktail is a blend and shake of gin, cointreau, bitters and lime juice named after the Pegu Club in old Rangoon……….. you […]
The Irrawaddy is at its lowest during April as the weather has been hot and dry for some months…in fact when I was there it reached a staggering 102F. With the water low the sand bars and river banks are revealed and on day three of The Grey Traveller’s Irrawaddy River Cruise we were invited to a BBQ dinner […]
My first excursion from Sanctuary Ananda cruise ship in Myanmar was to the town of Sagaing south of Mandalay on the Irrawaddy River and it was there I visited a monastic school. There are three types of education; private which parents pay for, public which is provided freely by the government and monastic where children are taught […]
On my third day of a Sanctuary Retreats Irrawaddy River Cruise I found myself at Tan Chi Taung where along with my guide Khin Nyein Thu I climbed high to a beautiful pagoda and golden stupa. Once I had oohed and ahhed at the shiny temple and views I got to see a traditional elephant dance put on […]
