Bagan, Myanmar

Audrey Biking Around Pagodas - Bagan, Burma

We rented bicyles and rode around the temples of Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Although the temples are spread out over a large distance and it does get very hot during the day, exploring by bike is the way to go. Here, Audrey takes a break in front of one of the smaller Buddhist brick temples. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Audrey and Dan at the Temple - Bagan, Burma

Dan and Audrey atop a temple at sunset in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Buddhist Monk at the Pagoda - Bagan, Burma

Taken in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Cows In the River - Bagan, Burma

Taken on the way from Bagan to Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Burmese Sand Paintings - Bagan, Burma

At almost every pagoda in Bagan, big and small, you'll come across an artist selling his sand paintings. Tourism was down 80-90% when we were visiting in January 2007, so these artist were polite, but also really hurting from the slump. We bought a few sand paintings from this artist - his were unusual and clever. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Train Station - Bagan, Burma

Vendors and villagers around the slow-moving train from Bagan to Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Sunset Over Bagan Temples - Burma

The silhouettes of Buddhist temples/pagodas in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Market Vendor with Thanaka Cheeks - Bagan, Burma

Taken at the Mani Sithu market in Nyaung-U (Bagan) in Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Pensive Burmese Woman - Bagan, Burma

Taken at Mani Sithu Market in Nyaung-U (Bagan) in Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Chilies and Potatoes Bagan Market - Burma

A smiling vendor presides over chilies and potatoes at the Mani Sithu Market in Nyaung-U (Bagan) in Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Burmese Food, Roasted Eggplant Salad - Bagan, Burma

We returned to Moon Vegetarian Restaurant at the gates of Old Bagan to learn how to make this roasted eggplant (aubergine) salad. The cook took us into the kitchen with him and showed us how to roast the eggplant over hot coals, remove the soft interior and mix it with fresh onions, crispy garlic and other ingredients. Delicious and filling...Taken in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Ananda Temple - Bagan, Burma

The gilded spires and a white facade make the Ananda Pahto (Temple) stand out from the thousands of red brick temples in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Completed in 1105, it is one of Bagan's most famous Buddhist temples. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Burmese Food, Lunch - Meiktila, Burma

A varied and tasty lunch of pickled vegetables, red sauce, lentil curry, banana flowers and salad served at a roadside restaurant on the way from Meiktila to Bagan, Burma. ..The restaurant caters almost exclusively to bus passengers. The food - including this portion - was plentiful, varied, quick and very cheap ($2 for the two of us). Read more about Burmese cuisine with Top 15 Burmese Eats. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Burmese Vendor at Market - Bagan, Burma

and a big smile, too! Taken at the fresh market in Nyuang-U (Bagan) in Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Ancient Buddhist Paintings - Bagan, Burma

Painting has a long tradition in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar), from centuries-old works in the Buddhist pagodas to sand painters who sell their art to tourists today. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Bagan Architecture - Bagan, Burma

There are so many Buddhist temples in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Not all of them have names. Many are still only known by their archeological classification numbers. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Restaurant Alley - Bagan, Burma

Creative lights and decor at a restaurant in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). ..When we visited in January 2008, this street full of restaurants catering to tourists was almost empty. We were told by some business owners that tourism was down 80-90% that year, causing some restaurants to go out of business. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Smoked Bat Vendor - Bagan, Burma

We politely declined this smiling vendor's offer to try one her smoked bats. They looked remarkably similar to mice and didn't seem to have much meat on them. Wonder if it tastes like chicken. Taken at the Mani Sithu market in Nyaung-U (Bagan) in Burma (Myanmar). Read more about Burmese cuisine with Top 15 Burmese Eats. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Proud Burmese Father and Daughter - Bagan, Burma

This man runs a tailor shop with his wife near the Mani Sithu market in Nyaung-U (Bagan) in Burma, Myanmar. We spoke with him as he fixed the zipper on one of our bags. He beamed with pride when his daughter stopped by the shop on her lunch break from school. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Bagan Temple Vistas - Myanmar

The view from atop one of Bagan's many temples at sunset. Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com/

Child Postcard Vendor - Bagan, Myanmar

It's a difficult year for postcard vendors in Bagan, Myanmar. Locals and repeat visitors estimate that tourists to Bagan are down about 80-90% from last year. Unfortunately, there are only so many postcards one person can buy! Read more about our visit to Myanmar. © www.uncorneredmarket.com/

Bagan Temples - Burma (Myanmar)

A traditional brick Burmese Buddhist temple stands in the foreground with a new government tower in the background. Locals told us the government tower is air conditioned and costs something like $10 to enter. Taken in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Burmese Food, Vegetarian Feast - Bagan, Burma

We were invited to share lunch at the house of local in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar). Steamed vegetables, tofu, potatoes and a delicous tomato and peanut salad. Read more about Burmese cuisine with Top 15 Burmese Eats. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Cats Eyeing the Fish - Bagan, Burma

Two stray cats keep watch over a fish stall at Mani Sithu Market in Nyaung-U (Bagan) in Burma (Myanmar). Read more about our visit to Bagan. © www.uncorneredmarket.com