Myanmar

After the crazyness of Bangladesh, Myanmar was a definate change of pace. The cities were busy like many in Asia, but lacked the dust and packed confusion. Budhist temples provided islands of calm in the middle of the cities. In the smaller towns the pace of life approached sleepy at times. Especially in the 40deg heat of Bagan. I spent a month here, visting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake and Nagapali Beach. These are some of the main areas tourists are allowed to go, much of the country is out of bounds to foreigners.

Due to the nastyness of the government in there is the question of whether or not you should go and visit Myanmar. By going you are giving much needed foreign currency to the military government, helping to prolong their rule. On the other hand you are hopefully helping to bring openess to some areas of the country and passing on tourist dollars to some of the locals. Not an easy question, but hopefully my dirtbag traveller ways helped the government very little.