from 'Helen's Myanmar Trip' by HelenIAM (September 2007)

Bagan (6 nights):

Stayed at Aung Mingluar Hotel opposite the stupa in front of Shweygon Paya ($10-15 single and $15-20 double). Some nice bungalows too. Good location for restaurants. Friends stayed at May Kar La guest house which was great for maps and info but a trek from the restaurants.

Money changers at Shweygon Paya entrance. When you do the horse cart trip to Old Bagan everyone ends up at a great restaurant at lunchtime where you have a buffet of all the things you wanted to taste but didn't know the name of.

Loved the freedom of the southern plain and views from here were stunning. Loved Mi Nyein Gon temple at sunset, one you can climb to upper terrace ...say hello to Mia and Koko there. I thought some of the best sand paintings (especially of monks) were to be found at Gubyaukgyi, just south of old Bagan. It took me ages to re-find these pictures. Think I unintentionally saw some of the pagodas 5 times. Wait until you are on your bike!

Trip to Mount Popa was $25 for the car. Lucky enough to catch a practice run for the boat race at New Bagan.

The begging at Bagan is excessive and made me realize how important it is to donate to schools and monasteries and not to give presents to the children. Every child at every temple holds out teir palm asking for candy, stylo, pencil, soap, shampoo, balloon. Maybe we should agree to only give ballons to children before we create a nation of beggars.