Bagan

You think you know what to expect when you reach Bagan but the scale of this place is overwhelming. As we flew in we could see the pagodas nestling in the trees, the golden spires glittering in the morning light.

Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, these ancient brick pieces of art have survived the ravages of earthquakes and man and to me are more beautiful than the rich ornate stupas in the city.

To see the sunrise the next morning took my breath away. Jostling for space on the steps of one of the few pagodas where you are allowed to climb up, then realising just how high we really were, all added to an amazing experience. Then came the balloons. They slowly emerged from the trees to gracefully float above us - they weren't just spectators, they have become part of the experience for those of us on the ground.

By time we left Bagan to head to Mindat and the start of our trek, we were eagerly anticipating what would come next.Read more