Chai-yo, Chai-yo, it's off to Bangkok I go: Myanmar- The Artist Formerly Known as Burma

With classes wrapped but, and a romantic group Valentine’s week trip to Bali complete, it was time to head to the country formerly known as Burma, now known as Myanmar. In 1989, the country changed its name, as well as the names of many cities (such as Rangoon to Yangon), and in 2006 moved the capital from Yangon to a remote city newly named Naypyidaw.

Thailand’s western neighbor, Myanmar is ruled by a military junta. However, in the last 18 months, it has begun to open up a bit, holding elections (although the validity was questioned), and releasing National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. This has resulted in easing of economic and travel restrictions for the country.

Teams Kellogg and Kenan-Flagler merged together to form a super-team, added two friends currently living in Asia, and set off on a week-long adventure to Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake.

While I would never confuse Thailand, Cambodia or Indonesia with being the United States, traveling to Myanmar was a whole new ballgame. The country is clearly decades behind Thailand in most respects, however the people were extremely friendly and seemed genuinely excited to be able to share their country with foreigners. A very interesting and unique experience to visit a country that is just seeing a wave of tourism and foreigners enter the country.

Our trip in photos:

Yangon:

During a tour of Yangon, we passed by the Telegraph office. And yes, the telegraph industry is alive and kicking in Myanmar, its apparently a great way to reach many villages.

No big deal, just our lunch being filmed for a scene in a South Korean major motion picture. (Ok, we're not sure how big a movie it is, but she is an actress from Korea, and she is a terrible waitress)

We still have some work to do on pulling off the different Buddha poses

A brigade of floor sweepers move as gracefully as Olympic curlers

Shwedagon Pagoda

Marsh and the rest of us were enjoying a nice dinner in Yangon. Little did we know that 8 out of the 9 of us were also getting food poisoning from dinner.

Bagan: You want temples, they've got temples. During the 11-13th century, over 4,000 (possibly 10,000+) temples were built in 13 x 8 km area. We also explored our hotel rooms and the pool fairly extensively for a 24-48 hour period.

Pagodas before sunset. Ironically the sun was setting on the health of most of us as well, and we would be out of commission for a day.

Sunset on the river boat after a visit to a nearby island

Me 'n Mar (shal)

Taking a break from biking around Bagan

While not as large or grandiose as Angkor Wat, the sheer number of pagodas, as the group Berlin belted, could lead to one’s breath being taken away

Inle Lake: The second largest lake in Myanmar. To get to our hotel we flew to Heho, took a 40 minute drive to the river, then took a river boat another 45 minutes. Our own version of trains, planes, and automobiles.

Sunbrella = SPF 77

Wow, what a great shot of a fisherman as you leave the river and enter Inle Lake. Turns out, this guy is paid to pose at the lake entrance; however there were many real fisherman on the lake.

Our hotel, the Golden Inn Cottages #2 (but #1 in our hearts)

Welcomed by 5 employees playing an assortment of percussion instruments, I couldn’t help but think of Cold Stone employees singing after a patron tips $1.07