A few days ago, John and I returned from three weeks in Cambodia and Myanmar. The adventure has inspired and recharged me and in the evenings, after a busy day of designing and wearing the “Marty Magic Hat”, I edit photos and write my travel blog. Here are just a few of my favorite photos to share with you.
Sunday at Shwedagon Pagoda – Myanmar
The Shwedagon gilded Pagoda was built 2500 years ago and has been renovated over many centuries. It is jaw dropping. The terrace alone spans 14 acres. We were there on a Sunday and I was as touched and inspired by the families and school children as much as by the temples venerable history.
Shwedagon Pagoda – Myanmar
Shwedagon Pagoda – Myanmar
We arrived in Bagan, Myanmar on the once a year full moon celebration. We climbed ancient temple stairs at dawn and later attended the annual celebration at the temple where the monks are honored with baskets of food and money. Pictured below are novice monks, (children) during the event.
Novice Monks at the full Moon Celebration – Bagan Myanmar
Novice Monks at the full Moon Celebration – Bagan Myanmar
There are over one thousand, 12th century pagoda temples in Bagan, Myanmar. This heritage site was a visual delight and my legs are tired from climbing temple steps. Many of the temples looked similar but each was an adventure and had its own story to tell.
Horse Cart in Bagan Myanmar
Temple Panorama – Bagan Myanmar
The temple sites surrounding Siem Reap, Cambodia are where Indiana Jones was filmed. Below are photos of the “Temple of Doom!” John and I visited this temple site twice; once during the day and again at the break of dawn when there were no other tourists present. Although we were sleep deprived, it was worth crawling out of bed to be alone with Harrison Ford and Angelina Jolie.
Ta Phrom Temple, Cambodia
Ta Phrom Temple, Cambodia
John and I had the privilege to visit many workshops at Inle Lake, Myanmar. It was a Sunday at this silk weaving workshop and the mother had both her children in tow.
Mother weaving with her children – Silk Weaving – Inle Lake, Myanmar
Mother weaving with child – Inle Lake, Myanmar
The photo on the left below is taken at Phnom Da, Cambodia, where the village children followed John adoringly. Wherever we went, the children gravitated to him.
The photo on the right is of me, taking photos of very large fried spiders. Although we spent nearly an hour at the Skuon Insect market, I did not indulge in any of the insect delicacies.
Children – Phnom Da, Cambodia
Fried Spiders, Insect Market – Skuon, Cambodia
It was a great joy to travel with my gregarious and inquisitive son, who seems to connect easily with many of the children on this planet.
Girls with firewood, Inle Lake, Myanmar
Two Girls, Inle Lake, Myanmar