Southeast Asia: A Beginner’s Guide
“I haven’t traveled much. Where should I go?”
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Filed Under: Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
61 Comments | 8 September 2010
Tag Archive for: Burma
Visiting Burma: How To Do It Responsibly
While reading Nicholas Kristof’s opinion piece on Burma (Myanmar) last month I was consumed by a rush of memories – conversations and images from of our month-long visit there last year. My comment on his article shares my views regarding the effectiveness of international sanctions in changing the behaviors of the military government (junta). I also address whether or not travel to Burma helps or hurts ordinary people.
I felt there was more to say about the junta and life for ordinary Burmese. But I looked back at a perspective piece we wrote last year – Myanmar, Where Hope Dies Last? – and realized that we already covered the reality and challenges that Burmese people face on a daily basis. We also explained at length why we are glad to have traveled there.
However, we continue to field questions from readers who are interested in traveling to Burma but remain unsure. We’ve already discussed what to do, see and eat there.
So here are a few thoughts regarding your decision to visit, what you might encounter while applying for a visa, safety concerns, and how to travel responsibly when you are in-country. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Southeast Asia, Travel by: Audrey Scott
14 Comments | 3 March 2009
Burma’s Golden Kite
The Golden Kite of Burma (Myanmar): the trail connecting Rangoon (Yangon), Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake.. These four locations form a common itinerary for visits to the country. Their golden stupas, fields of ancient Buddhist pagodas, floating villages, and royal palaces tell a story of place caught between its modern-day struggles and an underlying narrative of a bygone era. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
4 Comments | 25 February 2009
No More Bats and Bicycle Chickens: The Better Side of Burmese Cuisine
I remember my first taste of what was supposed to be Burmese food at a restaurant in San Francisco. There was none of the coconut milk and fragrance of Thai curries and the spice palette didn’t inspire like it did in Indian cuisine.
Underwhelming, I thought.
However, during our visit to Burma (Myanmar), we quickly appreciated Burmese cuisine for the beauty of what it is: an Asian cuisine fused from Southeast Asian, Chinese and Indian influences.
Armed with that perspective, we found Burmese food a pleasure. Street food was varied, accessible and inexpensive. Restaurants were similarly enjoyable. And we were even invited for a few home-cooked meals. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Food by: Daniel Noll
36 Comments | 4 February 2009
Burma: A Photo, A Thousand Words
While the Burmese junta (military government) has well earned its appalling reputation among human rights organizations and the international press, the people of Burma have an acclaim of their own among travelers as some of the kindest around.
Therefore, when we departed for Burma (Myanmar), we did so with high expectations. Its people, cities, landscapes, Buddhist temples – and even its food – well exceeded them.
Our photos perhaps express that best.
Warning: If images of smiling people upset you, please do not continue. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Photography, Southeast Asia by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
11 Comments | 13 January 2009
Top 8 in 2008
As 2008 came to an end, we reflected on our experiences from the passing year. Best experience? It’s impossible to choose just one, so we share a few of the memories that are likely to remain with us through 2009 and beyond.
Some we’ve written about already. The complete story of others are yet to come.
Where 2009 will take us, no one knows (including us). Regardless, we hope your 2009 finds you healthy and takes you to fulfilling places, be they near or far. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
6 Comments | 31 December 2008
Rangoon Reflections
Rangoon, Burma. The name conjures the tropical blues of a steamy colonial outpost. We wondered: would the current reality still match?
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Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Southeast Asia by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
14 Comments | 29 December 2008
Rangoon Dusk
After reflecting on the challenges faced by Myanmar (Burma) yesterday, we wanted to leave you with a more pleasant image of the country for the weekend.
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Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Photography, Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 16 February 2008
Myanmar, Where Hope Dies Last?
News stories take on increased significance when we’ve actually visited the place being covered. For example, we’ve recently been reading more about the effects of a harsh winter on the lives of ordinary people in both Tajikistan and China. As we read these stories, images of the people we’ve met become superimposed on a piece of news that we might otherwise regard with detachment.
We now follow Myanmar (Burma) more closely, as well. Just a few days ago, the junta (military government) there made news by announcing another “road map to democracy” and elections in 2010. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Perspectives, Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
4 Comments | 15 February 2008
Lonely Myanmar
Don’t worry, we’re not feeling lonely. The title refers to the current reality here in Myanmar where once bustling tourist sights and streets have been transformed into ghost towns. Strings of flashing lights still hang from restaurants advertising the best Burmese, Indian, Nepalese – and even Tibetan – food in town, but the sobering and obvious fact is that most of these restaurants have only a few customers per day…and that’s on a good day. There are simply very few tourists here. Continue Reading »
Filed Under: Burma (Myanmar), Perspectives, Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
3 Comments | 16 January 2008
