52 We followed the famous Burma Road, and reached Pyin Oo Lwin, the ‘city of flowers’, a cool oasis with its narrow streets, charming orchid gardens and waterfall. This was living the dream. It was time then to go to the heart of Burmese culture, so we took the road to Mandalay. We explored the nooks and crannies of old pagodas and monasteries, visited the most important Buddha statue and feasted our eyes on the world’s largest book! We especially loved the famous puppet theater, where we heard stories of spirits, the life of Buddha and the creation of the universe. This was a simply beautiful gem and it amazes us that it still exists! We were deeply moved when the old puppet master took time to shake hands with every guest. By this time, we were truly caught up in the traditional history and spiritual life of the Burmese people, so we took additional full day excursions to the imperial cities that surrounded Mandalay. With the support of our local guide and chauffeur, every transport mode imaginable was used – from a private boat to a horse-drawn carriage to our own legs! We went on long treks to numerous pagodas and monasteries, absorbing ourselves into another world as our local guide navigated us through closed doors that allowed us to meet and understand the daily life of Buddhist monks. Spontaneous encounters led to deep conversations – where everything from spirituality to politics was discussed! We took a boat to the historical royal city of Bagan with its thousands of sanctuaries and temples, and it was a glorious sight as we gradually approached this majestic world. Staying in a regal hotel meant this will always be remembered by us as our days in paradise together. RECOMMENDED ROUTE 22 Days / 21 Nights Yangon (1) - Loikaw (2) - Inle Lake (3) - Hsipaw (3) - Pyin Oo Lwin (1) - Mandalay (2) - Bagan (3) - Ngapali Beach (5) - Yangon (1) Starting from USD 4,670 / person Wish to create memories in Myanmar? Contact Asia Travel Consultant Walter Kealey on walter@enchantingtravels.com today! Photos courtesy of the guest The pièce de résistance in our final week allowed us to leisurely reflect upon our adventures as we cruised for several days and nights on the Ayeyarwady River, known as the lifeline of Myanmar. With its peaceful shores, we became acquainted with the quiet life on and by the river, as bamboo rafts and small fishing boats gently bobbed on the water. In the evening, we would anchor by a neighboring village, where we could delve into rural life, such as a visit to a local potter's studio! Each farewell became more and more wistful. Myanmar is the country where time has stood still and this vacation was tailored so perfectly to our personal preferences that we had a truly rich experience. We were always welcomed and able to interact with the local people in a personable way. Thank you to Enchanting Travels for your attention to detail and excellent organization right from the beginning, which led to a relaxed and complete trip that was full of heartwarming moments.