A Taste of Burma

Travelling in Burma you can experience tastes and flavours from China, India and Thailand in fact there is so much variety the it takes a while to recognise that there is no one dominant theme.

Reflecting  the location of the country and the rich influence of the diverse people this is a unique experience for any visitor.

Chillies for sale

Spices Bagan market

Looking back my 2007 photographs are focused less on the food and more on the sights and the people.

We did eat well though and my travel journal has entries such as "Golden Myanmar - currys with a vast array of vegetable condiments" and "Sharabha 11 - chinese/thai theme sweet & sour & hot & sour - a real hit for us all".

Take a look here for an introduction to the food of Burma www.myanmar.com/lifestyle/traditional_foods.html

The skyline of Yangon (Rangoon) is dominated by the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda the most sacred site in Burma. Visiting at sunset brings crowds of worshipers and the sights and sounds are a magical experience.

Shwedagon at sunset

In the north of the country it is the thousands of temples of Bagan set in the countryside that takes your breathe away. Hiring bikes is a good way to see the the extent of the centuries old sacred site.

Temples of Bagan

Travelling north east towards the border with China is the fascinating Lake Inle although the ten hour overland mountain drive is not for the faint hearted. This large lake is where fishing and farming predominate is bordered by small towns and villages comprising wood and bamboo houses built on stilts. The unique fishing technique is a one off.

Lake life at Inle

Fishing Inle style

There is so much to see in Burma with its tourism industry now slowing but steadily developing. Our week long visit barely made a start but the contrasting sights, sounds and experiences and the friendly welcoming people have left lasting memories for us all.