Next stop on our adventure was beautiful Bagan Myanmar. Bagan is famous for wondrous vista of pagodas and stupas as far as the eye can see. So amazing!

When we first arrived we stopped by the local street market. I always love these markets seeing all the locals doing there thing.

 

When we first arrived at the Pagodas we where all so excited to finally be seeing this beautiful site. It’s hard to believe these beautiful ancient pagodas right in front of us and we could even climb to the top of some of them to take in the view.

 

The inside of some of the stupas will also blow you away.

Matt made a friend with a local artist and bought a couple of his paintings

Came across this 80 year old monk who was just having some alone time . He was super nice. He actually spoke some english and loved talking to me. I told him I would mail him a picture. He was so great to talk to.

 

Around Sunset everybody rushes to a few choice spots to take in the sunset. Considering this was the busy time of year there it really wasn’t to bad for tourist.

 

One day while in Bagan we visited a local monastery to take them school supplies and soccer balls. They wanted us to stay for lunch with them. It so great to spend some time with the novice monks.

After lunch we helped out with the dishes.

Local tattoo artist offered up to do some skin work

Love seeing local kids just riding their bikes around this beautiful area. What a playground.

Local lady farming.

 

So while in bagan you have to sign up for the sunrise balloon ride. We decided to go with Balloons Over Bagan. The original balloon company of Bagan.

 

 

 

What can I say about this view. Doesn’t get much better than this.

Shadow portrait!

Time to roam around some of the local villages

Loved coming across this little school in one of the villages.

Anotehr thing to do is jump on a boat and cruise the river around sunset.

Love these kids

Our local guide Minthu was so great. he really made our visit to Bagan special. Be sure to look him up if you ever make it there. www.horsecartbagan.com

He also set us up with a great place to stay. The Winner Guest House  It was only $25 per night and again that includes free wifi and breakfast.

We had a couple extra days on our own after Minthu left us. So we rented some electric scooters and just roamed. The scooters are only $7 per day by the way. Love the prices on everything here. It’s hard to spend money here.

We ran into Minthu the next day. Amber gave him a raklife hat the day before. it was so great to see him wearing it the next day while touring some other people around Bagan.

Stopped for some tea and coffee and a local hot spot.

Loved seeing Matt in the crowds here. So funny. He had a few inches on the locals.

Loved this lady just chill in in at the market smoking her cig.

Another super fun day was when we just scootered down a road to see where we would end up. We ended up at the river where all the locals where hanging out doing there thing. So we hung out for a while and played with the kids.

I was so excited to get some ping pong time.

Love seeing the kids helping out with any family chores. This kid was taking wood down to her father working on the family boat.

Matt jumped in to help out.

While cruising around the pagodas you will see locals herding goats and cows farming. So much local activity going on right around these ancient pagodas.

Some local families also are making meals right outside the pagodas.

 

The local ice cream man.

Love the locals.

Goat crossing!!

Our favorite local Bagan family. They made lunch one day and insisted we join them. Such nice people.

 

We are going to miss Bagan. It really gave us a taste of how amazing these people are. Even more beautiful than the pagodas is how beautiful the people are.