Pat

Retired. Have time for the things I love: travel, my cat, reading, good food, travel, genealogy, walking, and of course travel.

Bagan, Myanmar. 30 January – 1 February 2015

Departing Ayeyarwady Princess in Bagan

Departing Ayeyarwady Princess in Bagan

The archaeologically rich city of Bagan sits on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River. What greets me upon debarkation from our boat is a loudspeaker blasting Rod Stewart singing “Young Turks” and thousands of ruins. Here is a region to compete with Angkor Wat; there are 4446 sandstone and terra cotta pagodas and temples dating from the 11th to 13th centuries. I can only hope we do not attempt to see them all. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Myanmar – Mandalay and Ayeyarwady River. 28-29 January 2015

Mahamuni Pagoda and its very fat Buddha

Mahamuni Pagoda and its very fat Buddha

It’s Burma or bust! Since 1962, when a coup d’état brought one of the world’s most repressive regimes into power, Myanmar has been isolated from outside influences. It became one of the 10 poorest countries in the world and embroiled in dissension, accusations of genocide and child slavery, bloody suppression, dictators, drug warlords, and rebel ethnic friction. A British colony until 1948, in 1989 Burma returned to its traditional name of Myanmar (“fast and tough”) because the ruling council thought Burma was “too Burmese.” To keep iron-fisted control of the country, the ruling junta closed its borders to all but the opium trade and illegal logging. Myanmar became one of the least westernized countries in the world. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Bangkok, Thailand. 27 January 2015

DSC07471Most every travel list I see rating favorite cities, most traveled destinations, top ten cities to visit, places not to miss includes Bangkok. I arrived in this city yesterday afternoon to snarled bumper to bumper traffic. A city of 10 million, most are in cars. The skyline, what can be seen through the dense smog, is one of skyscrapers. The sunrise this morning resembles a red moon over the Chao Phraya River. Streets are overrun with Chinese tourists hell bent on endless selfies. For a traveler, I scratch my head in wonder. What is the draw of Bangkok? (more…)

By Pat, ago

Chiangmai, Thailand. 25-26 January 2015

It really is a lot of fun

It really is a lot of fun

My first evening in Chiangmai ends with a pleasant waterside dinner and a unique stop at a fish spa. I put my feet into an aquarium and am immediately attacked by scores of Doctor Fish. These are living exfoliant fish on work visas from Turkey, kind of like a pumice stone with fins. Garra rufa or nibble fish is a species that lives and breeds in the pools of some Turkish river systems and hot springs. For 200 Bhat or around $6, I hire them to nibble off the dead skin from my feet and between my toes. The use of the fish as a spa treatment is widely debated but I think these little nibblers need to get work visas for California. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Chiang Saen, Thailand. 23-24 January 2015

Golden Buddha of Chiang Saen

Golden Buddha of Chiang Saen

Strap myself in for a bumpy ride! I am in Thailand, land of happy fat Buddhas, slow swaying elephant rides, and speedy drivers who totally trust in Buddha that the guy they are tailgating will not make a sudden stop or change lanes as he passes on a sharp uphill curve. A three hour drive can easily be done in two with our driver. The bumpier, narrower, curvier the road, the zippier he becomes. Obviously laws on using walkie talkies or a cell phone while driving have not reached Thailand.
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Luang Prabang, Lao. 20-21 January 2015

Meeting the Buddhas of Luang Prabang

Meeting the Buddhas of Luang Prabang

I arrive at the modern, clean Luang Prabang International Airport (driving would take hours). Our flight is late so we rush to lunch along the Nam Khan River. No fear anyone starves as the food continues to be superb. I pass some of my plethora of riches to the pregnant cat at my feet. This UNESCO World Heritage city of 70,000 is a perfect place. Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, Luang Prabang is surrounded by mountains, rivers, low-keyed saleswomen, and beautiful nature. My afternoon is spent amid this natural beauty.

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By Pat, ago