Myanmar. It’s a destination that’s been on many a travel bucket list for awhile now, including mine. But it always seemed just a little out of reach. I was drawn to the exotic architecture and culture, but it was this same exoticism that overwhelmed me. Sometimes I would stare dreamily at pictures of the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda on the web, but I had not been able to find a single article informative enough to make the far-away-sounding Myanmar seem do-able. Happily, this situation was altered quickly when I spotted the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Myanmar (Burma) guide at my local bookstore (thanks to a serendipitous recommendation from the store’s travel guru).
After flipping through the guide for about 10 minutes, I made up my mind that I should visit the Bagan Archeological Zone in October to see the beautiful stupas in the temperate “cool” season. Apparently 80°F is considered cool in Myanmar. The handy “Myanmar Through the Year” section alerted me to the fact that I could also catch the Shweizgon Festival during my stay. I felt like I’d moved up a notch with my plans—and this was after looking through only the first few pages of the guide.
Flash forward a couple months and I’m resting my feet in a pool fit for a king that’s tucked away in a spice garden at my hotel, the Bluebird, which I found (you guessed it!) in my DK Eyewitness Travel Guide. I had arrived in Myanmar and my itinerary was made ridiculously easy with the guidebook’s maps, hotel listings, and practical information. The only dilemma was deciding whether to get some spicy Shan noodles (my favorite local dish!) before or after the fireworks show at the Shwezigon Festival honoring the full moon.
But, using my DK Eyewitness Travel Guide’s detailed pull out map and travel information page, I easily calculated that it would only take 15 minutes by taxi (which the bubbly Burmese concierge would gladly call for me) to get to the restaurant and another 10 minutes to get over to the festival afterward in plenty of time for the finale.
For my last night I decided to dress up to tour a quaint street market that was suggested in the guidebook. I had packed the perfect outfit and even had the right adapter for my curling iron (a travel detail I always messed up before discovering DK Eyewitness Travel Guides). So, I could spare a few more minutes relaxing in paradise. I flipped through the amazing pictures I took at the stunning Ananda Temple in Bagan. My snapshots of the four gilded Buddhas and the ornate central tower were breathtaking enough to rival the ones in the guidebook, if I do say so myself.
I’m back from the trip of a lifetime that was off the charts. Myanmar is no longer a dream but a dream come true.
*TravelSquire’s Navigating Myanmar (Burma)is sponsored by DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, which highlight the best sightseeing and attractions in numerous cities and countries around the world.