The Vagabond Hiker

Hiking, trekking, and climbing the world

Myanmar Revisited: its landscapes and people

The past two months has brought horrible news from Myanmar. A military coup overthrowing the elected government on the sham justification of a stolen election (sound familiar?) has become progressively more violent, while the world watches and does precisely – nothing.

I looked back over some of the photos I took during a two week visit and trek back in December 2012, during the heady early days of democracy. President Obama had just visited a week prior, and the world was watching Myanmar with great expectations as it emerged from decades of military rule.

Of course, this was long before the Tatmadaw’s (army’s) unspeakable atrocities that began in 2016, aided and abetted by some militant Buddhist monks, against the Rohingya minority in Rakhine State. And long before the subsequent debasement in 2019 of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, with her despicable defense of their crimes against humanity.

While I am not a naive optimist that the recent events will lead to a reinstatement of a semblance of democracy and a reining in of the Tatmadaw, it was good to revisit more peaceful scenes of this beautiful country and its wonderful people. I hope you enjoy these photos.

The Vagabond Hiker

Nan She Oo, our Pa-o guide who was studying English in university. In addition to the Burmese majority, there are more than 100 ethnic groups in Myanmar, including the Pa-o.
Kakku stupa (religious shrine) garden reflected in pool
The bucolic view from Aythaya Vineyards, Shan State. Their wines were surprisingly good.
An orchid at the monastery where we stayed after the first day of our four-day trek
A young drover and his passengers, Shan State. Few of the locals had seen westerners before, and even the adults greeted us with enthusiasm.
Winnowing rice, day three of our trek. Some of us “helped out,” much to the amusement of the locals.
Stupas and “monklets” on day 3 of our trek. These novices are likely only 8 or 9 years old.
Shan Plateau vista on day three of our trek. The hilly plateau at about 4000 ft elevation is much cooler than the main basin of the Irrawaddy River.
Loading teak on the Irrawaddy. Elements of the Tatmadaw control most of the licit and illicit trade in teak, jade, and opium
Stilt houses on Inle Lake
A young Inle Lake boat builder. These teak boats are well suited to the shallow lake.
A fisherman on Inle Lake, Shan State. The technique of propelling the craft on the shallow lake develops a fisherman’s calf muscles to an unbelievable degree.
Collecting seaweed for fertilizer on Inle Lake. It’s surprising their boats don’t capsize!
Lotus flowers and our hotel rooms on Inle Lake. To many the lotus flower is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. One can only hope.
A Bagan market stall in happier times
Stupas at sunset, Bagan. There are literally hundreds of these shrines around the ancient city and World Heritage Site of Bagan.
Hat vendor’s wares, Mingun
The famous U Bein teak bridge spanning Taungthaman Lake, at sunset
Vintage Elephant Coach near Sule Pagoda, Yangon, the scene of many recent protests
The Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred in Yangon and all of southern Myanmar. At sunset pilgrims throng to the site.
A friend I wanted to take home with me. . .

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