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In celebration of the launch of this year’s Paradise Pack, we decided to put together this 777 series. Now, you are probably wondering ‘What’s with the 7’s?’ well this is our 7 most memorable experiences in our 7 years of location independence over the next 7 days.
And we are starting it all off in Myanmar and if you have listened to the podcast before you probably know this as the place where I had my epic meltdown but there is more to the story then just that. So, hit play and enjoy!
2015 was a crazy year of travel, one which saw us crisscross the globe, hit a few new countries and states, and even settle down in our own house for the first time in 5 years.
And while the year was incredible as a whole, there are some instances that stick out as the best – and ones that we will remember forever.
From hot air balloon rides over ancient temples to self-guided food tours of back alley stalls, here are our top 24 experiences of 2015 – including a few that will surprise you!
Myanmar also referred to as Burma, is an incredible country that’s getting more and more tourists by the day.
Here are the top 10 things to do in Myanmar (Burma) in under 2 minutes!
Want more information on what to do in Myanmar?
Here are details on the top 10 things to do in Myanmar, broken up by the four main regions: Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, and Yangon.
Bagan
1. Temples, Temples, Temples
There are over 2,000 temples to explore in Bagan so grab an electric bicycle – or a regular one if you want more exercise – and find your own path!
2. Balloon Ride Over Bagan
Soaring high above the temples of Bagan is a magical experience and one that should be on every traveler’s list. We highly recommend using Balloons over Bagan, the oldest and most popular balloon company in Myanmar.
3. Sunrise at the Temples
Get up early and find your own abandoned temple – it’s not hard, there are thousands of them. Then, take in the magnificent sunrise.
Mandalay
4. Visit the Three Ancient Cities
The three ancient cities around Mandalay – Inwa, Amarapura, and Sagaing – are all close enough that you can hit them in a day.
If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a motorbike and drive to them yourself, which is an incredible experience. If not, you can hire a driver to take you, and make sure you don’t miss the U Bein bridge – the world’s longest teak bridge – at sunset.
With 729 marble slabs – one for each page of the book – all housed in their own white pagoda, it’s a site you won’t want to miss.
Inle Lake
6. Full-Day Boat Cruise on Inle Lake
If you’re going to Inle Lake, you’re going to take a boat cruise. Opt for the full day option so you have plenty of time to see the world-famous fisherman, head to the various floating villages, and make your way down to the town of Inden.
7. Bike Around Inle Lake
Renting a bike is a cheap and fun way to see the surrounding countryside. And while you’re out, don’t miss Red Mountain Winery. It may be a tough, steep climb up, but it’s a blast coming back down and the views are spectacular.
Yangon
8. Bogyoke Aung San Market
There’s no shortage of weird services, foods, and colors at this eclectic and huge market. Wander around, people watch, and if you are buying something, make sure to haggle.
9. Ride the Yangon Circle Train
It’s long, slow, bumpy, and completely awesome. You’ll have 3 1/2 hours of a completely authentic experience, and will most likely encounter one or all of the following:
Little children carrying baby chickens in a plastic bag.
Women carrying 30 pounds of food on their head, hands-free
Soccer games being played on dusty patches of land.
Friendly, curious stares from locals.
The best part: It costs less than 50 cents!
10. Eat at Feel Myanmar Food
Feel Myanmar Food is the best restaurant we ate at in the entire country, and the experience alone is worth the trek.
Sidle up to the buffet, start pointing at whatever looks tasty (hint: it’s all tasty) and then eat way more than you think is possible.
Bonus: Lucky 7 Teahouse
No trip to Yangon would be complete without visiting a teahouse and eating some mohinga, and the Lucky 7 is one of the best around.
Not only are the drinks and food delicious and super cheap, but they also have a really nice outdoor seating area and get bonus points for the staff members wearing fake soccer jerseys as their uniforms.
Final Word(s)
Now that you know the top 10 things to do in Myanmar, it’s time to get there. The country is changing very rapidly, and if you’re looking for a destination that is a little difficult but also authentic and unique, Myanmar is the place to go.
Have you been to Myanmar before? What are some of your top things to do there? Share in the comments below!
Traveling the world is a great excuse to eat delicious food.
But what are the most delicious foods? The most delicious places?
You’re in luck!
Heather and I each list our top 10 meals from all over the world (including our hometown!)for a podcast that’s sure to leave you starving. We were when we’d finished recording, even after a bang-bang-bang that led to my new #1!
What are some of the best meals you’ve ever eaten? We’re always looking for more places to try, and with all these frequent flyer miles, we might just fly out to see if it’ll knock one of our top 10 off the list!!
Today Heather and I return to finish off our list of the 20 most beautiful buildings in the world (that we’ve seen, of course).
We return to some of our mentions in Part 1 as they make the list a second time and devote more time to discussing the beauty of each of these amazing locations.
There’s no end to the wanderlust inspired by today’s episode (even for us!) so be sure to listen to start dreaming of all the beautiful locations you’ll be visiting soon!
