I stand in the beautiful long corridor in Ananda temple and look at the huge happy smile on the face of the golden 10 metre high buddha. As I walk closer to him, I notice his expression has changed. The big happy smile is now a mindful expression, as though he is gently teaching me. [...]
It is hard to imagine too many places that are better suited to a sunrise hot air balloon trip. In Bagan the 2200 temples and pagodas are spread across a small plain in the elbow of the Irrawaddy river. In the dry months it is flat, warm and calm. The flight path starts to the [...]
It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time, to go up in a hot air balloon. It’s been a much thwarted dream as well. When I lived in the UK I was twice booked for a sunrise balloon ride, and both times got cancelled for bad weather. I have travelled in many [...]