Therese brought the winds of change to Gentle Breeze Inn! My sister’s many-faceted background as a Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel manager, followed by a seven year community work project, prepared her well for a job as challenging and varied as … Continue reading →

Lei Thar Gone (Gentle Breeze) Guesthouse and the adjacent Light of Love High School are the remarkable result of one man’s bold vision, fourteen years of selfless dedication, and ongoing, relentless, hard work: Eric Trutwein is Burmese through and through, … Continue reading →

We stocked up on supplies and set out on our pilgrimage to Yenangyuang, Myanmar- a journey with a purpose. The first leg of our trip took us from Pakse, southern Laos to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Thirty US dollars bought us … Continue reading →

Planning a trip to Burma? There’s a new round-up of our experience with budget lodgings in February 2013 on the Relax pages

I’m putting these random pictures up, to honor at least a few of the wonderful people we got to spend time with in Myanmar: Unforgettably vibrant youngsters…. New acquaintances, generous with their time and their smiles….. Sharing fresh coconut juice- and … Continue reading →

This is a adventurous day out from Chaung Tha, you’ll need to be a confident motorcyclist with some muscle power, (the trip includes hauling the scooter off boats and over narrow planks as below). Or consider hiring a guide/driver. The … Continue reading →

What is it about Chaung Tha Beach? A Burmese tourist agency describes it like this: “The Myanmar village of Chaungtha is a few blocks of guesthouses, restaurants and souvenir shops selling T shirts….” Not impressed? The kiosks with free tasters … Continue reading →

1. Gather strength, preferably in horizontal position 2. Check vehicle functionality 3. Fill floor-space, pay careful attention to comprehensive under- and between-seat storage. (See photo Nr. 1. for open-floor storage example) 4. Load roof (the arrow on the Toilet sign is … Continue reading →

There’s something enigmatic about Bagan. Because it’s steeped in history? And Buddhist devotion dating back more than a thousand years? Or am I having a premonition of local life going into hiding- like in other small cities that are mercilessly … Continue reading →

The sky loses its blue again, as we lurch back down into the dusty plain that surrounds Mandalay. The scenery stays colorful though: I almost gave up walking in Mandalay– traffic is horrendous and pedestrians dodge between cacophonic surges of exhaust-fume … Continue reading →