A Tweep recently asked me to sum up my recent Myanmar mountain-bike trip in one sentence.
The question made me think about the heart of the experience, which immediately gave me the answer:
“Everything aches including my heart”
Biking the back roads of Myanmar, from mountains to coast, was a golden journey of copper sunsets, smiling monks, delicious food, tiny villages, soccer kids and welcoming, gentle souls.
It was seven hundred kilometres of pure enchantment in a country that felt a million miles away from the smartraveller.gov.au advice to “exercise a high degree of caution and pay close attention to personal security.”
Although there has been a big increase in civil liberties in central Myanmar, some observers remain concerned about backsliding on human rights since sanctions and international pressures have lifted.
Some areas are still off-limits, however, from my saddle viewpoint, I couldn’t see any reason to be cautious about my personal safety.
I did see the swell of excitement as locals watched our bikes roll over the hardcore they laid in preparation for new roads and I could sense hope, unified by the peoples’ brimming love for Aung San Suu Kyi or “The lady”.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) currently supports travel to Myanmar as stated in their meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), held on 19th May 2011.
The NLD welcomes visitors who are keen to promote the welfare of the common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight into the cultural, political and social life of the country while enjoying a happy and fulfilling holiday in Burma.
Here’s a small snippet of heartwarming Myanmar – from the saddle – as I saw it.
Disclosure: I paid the full advertised price to join a group cycling tour in Myanmar organised by Red Spokes who specialise in riding remote parts of the world.
Other Info: Manie Sithu Travel is a local Myanmar operator for all types of tours. Email: Kalaya@maniesithutravels.com
Disclaimer: Any content and discussions on this website should not be construed as advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer
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What a wonderful adventure, Tracey! I’m so glad it was such a success. Love your brief description and sum up of the whole ride – gave such an instant insight.
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Hi Jo, thanks so much, I really enjoy making those little iMovie clips. So nice to hear you enjoyed it too. Looks like you’ve had some success with your video ventures : )
Tracey recently posted..Discover the Heart of Burma via the Back Roads
Most dinosaurs were veaieartans.Gignt predators like Tyrannosaurus Rex and Giganotosaurus get all the press, but it’s a fact of nature that the meat-eating “apex predators” of any given ecosystem are tiny in number compared to the plant-eating animals they prey on (which can rely on the vast amounts of vegetation needed to sustain such large populations).
Hi Tracey. I like your video very much. Very inspiring. Now I feel that urge to leave and go. I’m looking forward to go to Burma for my next bicycle tour! Thanks. Bye. Alessandro
That’s wonderful. Let me know how it goes Alessandro.
Tracey recently posted..Mountain Biking in Burma: A Surprising Start
“Everything aches, except my heart” – lovely… What an amazing adventure to bike 700 km in Burma!
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Thanks – I would do it again tomorrow.
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Such a beautiful video, Tracey! It can be used as a commercial for Burma.
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Thank you – That’s just stoked me to do more!
Tracey recently posted..Discover the Heart of Burma by Bike
Such a beautiful country and the people deserve so much more… I think with the situation next door, more people will head to Burma now – http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27585297 – Found a piece with more on the rich culture and heritage for fellow travellers – http://www.travelindochina.com.au/blog-articles/welcome-to-burma – may be of interest.
That looks like a really great experience, I would love to a mountain bike trip in Burma one day. Beautiful video and post.
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Thanks Freya. It’s doable for anyone with reasonable bike fitness and can cope with day after day in the saddle – or bum fitness!
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