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Travel the off-beat path of Western Myanmar! It´s where you find the Tribal Tattooed women.

Places like Mindat and Mrauk U are often less appealing to visitors. Like seriously! You can´t think of gathering the true essence of Myanmar if you hesitate to step out of the comforts of the Golden Triangle- Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake. The off-beat paths are where the real gems are.

The Chin woman are famed for their elaborate full-facial tattooes. The origin of this feminine tradition is obscure. Today, there are only a handful woman left with the spider-web design tattoes beacuse this ancient Chin (of beauty & tribal identification) culture dies out about 60 years ago as it became illegal. The younger womnan choosing to opt out the custom is another reason.

There are various folklores attatched to it, one of which claims that the tattoo tradition was used to make the women more desirable in order to find a rich husband. It is always fascinating to hear out their stories and sipping tea with them while they play a flute-like instrument with their nose.

Mrauk U is a 20 hour local bus ride from any of the 3 major cities. Mindat is nearer (6-12 hours from Bagan). Nonetheless, once you reach, you´ll see how the adventure was totally worth it. Both Mindat (west of Mandalay) and Mrauk U have a common draw- Tribal Tattooed Women.

Word of advice: Always remember your manners if you want to photograph these beautiful women!

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Whatś the secret behind Burmese beauty? Itś the Thanaka Make-up in Myanmar!

Walking the streets of Myanmar will constantly ring a question in your ears, ¨Why are the faces of people painted yellow-white?¨ It is only when you apply it that you know its attributes. It is actually a beauty treatment called Thanaka and it is quintessentially Burmese. The peopleś love for it goes beyond, class or religious or ethnic boundaries.

It is not just woman that apply the thanka paste on them but, also men and children. It is alsmost customary here but with full-proof logic. People apply them in different patterns- in squares, circles, leaf-like patters or even lines on their cheeks, forehead and nose.

Thanka paste is extracted from grinding the bark of the Thanka tree (sandal wood) with water. It is an effective natural sunscreen (literally surpasses all chemically produced ones!). Don´t hesitate to encourage a ´Thanaka call´. Trust me you will end up taking back home a new beauty regime.

Apart from being a beauty product preventing oiliness, keeping the skin cool, improving the complextion, tightening the pores, the soft fragrance it adds to the skin takes it to a therapeutic level. It is also used to medically treat fever, epilepsy, acne, skin sores, measles and poisoning. There have also been studies that examined its efficacy as a mosquito repellent in the Thai-Myanmar border which was once affected by malaria and dengue.

This second skin will bring you smiles from across the streets and ensuing converations as well! The rural ladies are always too willing to share their Thanaka.

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Street Hawkers were never more sweet on the ears! Yangonś street songs deserve to be heard!

Did you know that Yangon hums melodies? Street music in Yangon are practically everywhere- from bus drivers calling out stops, female monks endowing blessing to the singing of mobile street vendors. Just keep an open year and youĺl hear them amidst all the hustle-bustle of the streets.

What might seem as a passing thing to you, is actually an age-old advertising tool put to use by the vendors of Yangon. They´ve been communicating their services and goods to the public through songs. There are the songs of brooms, old mattress salemen and those of sweet drinks as well. In fact, you can ask any local about it and the next thing you know they sing it out to you!

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Saddar Cave- the best of Hpa Anś spectacular sacred caves!

Have you ever imagined hiking through underground passages to reach a cave temple and then return by a wooden boat? Does it not sound as somehting really special? Well, the journey to and the experience of the Saddar (Saddan) Cave is well worth the praise!

The renowned cave is just 20 km from the center of Hpa An. Bulbous mountains and open lush green fields. There´s a white painted steep staircase at the bottom of one of these mountains. Climbing those stairs will lead to you to a pagoda from where a narrow staircase goes down into the dark abyss. It might sound pretty spine chilling an experience but, is equally adventurous once you set course.

Make it a point to wear a head torch while going down the narrow path leading to the Saddar Cave. Apart from being a holy site, the cave is a true natural wonder. The so called ´Hell on Earth´ is not just home to various Buddha statues and stupas but also thousands of bats that flutter around screaming hysterically.

Buddha statues guard the entrace and the right wall of the cave is mosaiced with hundreds of miniature golden icons. As you wander around you´ll get occassional glimpses of painted buddhist faces. Some photographers are lucky to find the spot where a streak of sunshine beams onto one of the stalagmites that rise from the ground.

The exit to the cave is an entrace to a picturesque tree-lined water where local boatman are ready to paddle you through on a wooden canoe, out of the cave and onto a blue lagoon.

Points to note: * You need to open you shoes and move with them * Beware of the guano stench! * The steps leading to the cave at the heart of the mountain can at times be slippery

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Whatś the accomodation scene in Myanmar?

Even though new hostels and backpacking accomodations are gradually popping up at interesting rates, the number is still fairly poor as compared to the other parts of South-east Asia. You´ll be surprised that it is the same in the popular cities as well! Does that mean you need to strike off you desire to visit this incredibly beautiful country? Well, of course not! The trick is to book in advance, especially for the high season (October to March).

The cheapest you can find in Myanmar are guest houses which is typically 10-20$/ night with free breakfast. If youŕe looking for backpacking hostels with dorms, you´ll surely find them in Bagan and Yangon but, don expect deals like that in Thailand. It is the lack of competition that makes accomodation a bit pricey across the country. But, things are becoming better as more and more cool hostels are being opened.

Little Yangon Hostel (Yangon), Little Hpa An Hostel (Kyaikto), Ostello Bello Mandalay, Bagan and Inle, Railroad Hotel (Kalaw), Red Dragon Hotel (Hispaw) are some of the backpacker favorites.

But, like me if your travel plans tend to change frequently, it is best not to panic on accomodation. You can rather coze into some ´mom-&-pop´ eun guesthouse. The loclas welcome you into their family in a way as if you belong there! So, Win-Win!

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Festivals in Myanmar are a major part of their Tradition!

One of the prime motivations of a traveler is to explore and understand the culture and traditions of a region and thus, making it a memorable destination. Myanmarś festivals which are spread all across the country are a one way ticket to that!

Next time you visit Myanmar, just see the festive spirit of the Burmese people (for which they are much renowned) and youĺl know. The dates for the festivals may vary every year as they happen as per Burmese calendar.

Similar to Thailand´s Songkran Festival, Myanmarś most popular is the Thingyan Water Festival, celebrating Myanmar New Year. It lasts for 4-days except on leap years it is 5 days. People are seen splashing water on each other and the people also do good deeds for their elders on Burmese New year.

Traveling to Myanmar in November? Make sure you don´t miss Taunggyi Tazaungdaing (Festival of Lights) of Shan State. Since too many travelers visit during this period, the city runs out of accomodation frequently. So, be wise, book in advance!

Thadingyut Festival is celebrated throughout the country but the locals says that it is best experienced at the Kyaikhtiyo. Locals offer flowers and 9,000 candles to the that lights up the pagoda on the day of the full moon of Thadingyut.

The Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival near Mandalay in October is also a must see.

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Volcano Monastery! Shocked? Visit Mount Popa and hear the chanting monks.

When I first heard about Mt. Popa, I was literally paranoid untill a friend calmed my nerves saying, ¨It´s an extict one!¨ Last time it erupted was 250,000 years ago, Phew! From then on, it was only the mysticity of the Popa Taungkalat Monastery, sitting atop the mountain that kept be bedazzled. The 360 degree mammoth views of the lush forest after climbing 777 steps to the monastery set the charm in full swing. What a sight! But, watch out for the menacing monkey during the ascent!

Travelers usually visit the spot from Bagan. Did you know that the mountain is the spiritual home to Myanmarś infamous ´37 nat´. However, to differentiate it from the more famed Popa Taung Kalat, the mountain has been renamed as Taung Ma-gyi (Mother Mountain).

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Travel Safe! Does Traveling in Myanmar have any perks?

Have you already booked your tickets for Myanmar and are having sleepless nights? Well, the Rohingya conflict have evidently created a sort of unrest in the minds of aspiring travelers and tourists. Iḿ revisiting the magical land this December and I do have a local friend there,from my last visit. What better assurance can there be about the safety of traveling to a place than that coming from a local?

In the words of Antonia Neubauer, a travel specialist, ¨Under no circumstances can one condone murder, rape, or ethnic cleansing. Visiting a country, however, is not condoning these acts.¨ My local friend assured me that there was nothing to worry when traveling to Myanmar rpovided I stay out of the main areas of conflict and don´t get involved in it. The internal conflicts of Maungdaw and Bu-thee-tuang do not have an impact on travelers.

It´s not that youŕe entering a battle zone! Places like Myanmar hang on the fringes of being understood and misunderstood. All it takes is to go, talk, laugh and cry with the people there. The locals are the people that count and best reflects the ethos of the place that you travel to. Same goes for Myanmar!

In fact, if the trip is good, as travelers we can contribute to the much needed local economy of the country. Be it by air, water or land, none of the transportsation routes are disrupted. Even, traveling within the country is safe for travellers. the most touristy cities like Bagan, Mandalay, Mrauk U, Yangon and Nyaung Shwe are are free from conflicts.

In terms of accomodation options, the main cities have plenty in number and are safe to board as the staff is highly cooperative and friendly, just like the Burmese people- friendliest in South-east Asia. Another full-proof way to get an insight into the actuality of the conflcit issue which is not covered in media, is to chat with the local people.

Leaving the troubled areas, Myanmar is a country that you surely want to travel back to, once already here!

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When in Myanmar, what are the Must-doś?

It is a fact that Myanmar has been open to tourism for only 5-6 years now. But,since that time the country,comprising of a total of 14 states, has developed a lot in terms of what it offers to its keen travelers. Letś swipe through some of the must-do activities in Myanmar!

Just get a 4$ train ticket and experience the journey across Goteik Viaduct as is described in Paul Therouxś The Great Railway Bazaar.

Fly to Thandwe Airport to enjoy the Ngapali beach life. There´s scope to snorkel in pristine waters and take a boat trip to Pearl Island.

Witness the beautiful Hpa-An-City after hiking for 3 hours to the summit of Zwe Ka Bin mountain and descent only after seeing the sunset.

Go cave hoping in the 5 caves- Kaw-ka-thaung Cave, Saddan Cave, Kaw-kun Cave, Ya-tayt-pyan Cave, and Ba-yint-nyi Cave and enjoy the distinct experiences.

Loikawś Kyat Cave is not for the faint hearted! The place has a voodoo-filled dark history.

Climbing Mount Victoria in Chin State is worth all your sweat! Figure out when you reach the top!

Kawthaung- a recent discovery by local travel bloggers. The soft-sand beaches of Nyaung Oo Phee Island and the heart-shaped lagoon of Cocks Comb Island are the most popular hidden beauties of this lowermost part of Myanmar.

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Know about E-Visa when traveling to Myanmar!

Have you been planning for a trip to Myanmar lately? Are you worried about getting a visa to enter Myanmar in 2018? Well, it is actually damn easy to and also convinient to get one.

First things first, tourist visaś are only available online. For that you need to visit https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/. Application fee for an eVisa is non-refundable. To get it within 24 hours or 3 working days, you need to pay 56$ or 50$ respectively.

The eVisa is valid for a single entry for 28 days. Don get confused! The eVisa Approval letter (printed) that you get after you applied for the visa online is valid for 90 days (from the recieving date) and is only a grant to enter Myanmar. Practically, applying for it around a week prior to your departure can easily get you through!

What if you fall too much in love with the magical land and want to stay more? Know that overstaying is allowed but with a penalty of 3$/day. Just look for the sign ´Immigration Over Stay´ at you departure port and pay as you leave. And, you also get a legit ´overstay stamp´ on your passport that helps you avoid all inconviniences otherwise, to get a new visa.

Now, what do you need to apply for the eVisa? Details of the Passport which is valid till the 6 months tops, current occupation, address of the first accomodation in Myanmar and a digital passport image- that´s all.

You can be exempted for 14 days even if you haven´t applied for a visa, if you already hold a passport of Brunei, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and 30 days in case of Singapore. As on April 2018, youĺl be allowed into Myanmar with an eVisa only through:

Yangon International Airport

Mandalay International Airport

Nay Pyi Taw International Airport

Myawaddy Land Border

Tachileik Land Border

Kawthaung Land Border

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Get lost, in history and itś beauty! Bagan has some Pagodaś you can´t afford to miss.

Ask anyone who has already traversed the paths of Myanmar or is eager to do the same, the one thing not to miss would be- sunrise or sunset spots. But, more than often they miss out on another crucial addition in the itinerary. Iḿ talking about the must-see pagodaś of Bagan.

Take youŕe pick!

Enshrining a tooth and a bone of Buddha, Shwezigon Pagoda is where it all begun. The famed Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon is modelled after it. I was fascinated to know that the very name when split, Shwe (meaning golden) and Zigo (meaning victory), denotes what the pagoda stands for- a place of prayer and to offer thanks for successes.

The legends say that King Htilominlo undertook a rather superstitious cermony to choose the forthcoming king out of his 5 sons. All of htem were gathered around the umbrella which you can see today on the top of the stupa. Whomsoever the umbrella fell to point towards, became King. Now you know the origin of the name Htilominlo Pagoda! It not be much in terms of beauty but, as for the ambiance of a big marketplace, it takes away the second place.

The perfectly planned Ananda Pagoda ressembling a Greek cross; the Shewsandaw Pagoda which was once a sunrise viewpoint before the earthquake hit; the unique, massive madmanś Dhammayangyi Pagoda and the highest Thatbinnyu Pagoda in Bagan are also worth the shot!

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Foods of Brazil

If you are in Brazil and you do not get an orgasm, erm foodgasm, you better be in a nunnery (with due respect to all nunneries out there). Try these foods and expect your taste-buds to explode with pleasure!

Feijoada: A traditional Brazilian meal that uses an assortment of sausages, rice, black bean stew, kale and orange slices! It is a combination that condones you to salivate.

Açaí: An Amazonian fruit endemic to Brazil, you would not get to taste the succulent texture of these berries anywhere else in the world. You will easily find a dessert item or a drink prepared with this fruit across Brazil, and when you do, indulge yourself. Acarajé: These are sinful fritters composed all the good things like dried shrimp, black-eyed peas, palm oil, onion purée and what not! Come on, a few cannot increase the waistband right, unless they are a few too many!

 Moqueca: This meal comes in two different clothing, depending on the state in which it is served. If you try this in Espirito Santo, Moqueca is a seafood dish stewed in heavy cream of coconut milk and peppers. In Bahia it is delectably prepared in diced tomatoes, coriander, and onions.

Barbeque: Now isn’t that obvious?

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Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

It is impossible to talk about Brazil and not mention the 106 meters (including the plinth) statue of Christ the Redeemer. Located at the Peak of Corcovado Mountains which has an elevation of 700 metres above sea level, the statue of Jesus with its outstretched arms exudes a sense of divinity quite evidently, as if in a gesture of extending perpetual protection to the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Every day people from all over the world come near the statue to pay their respect. Some even lie down flat on the ground, not always in devotion though, but sometimes to get a better perspective of the statue to be captured by the lenses. The statue overlooks the city and the harbor of Rio de Janeiro. The vista from up here is simply breathtaking and cannot be explained in words. It is a landscape of colors with the blue of the sea kissing the grey and green of an urban establishment.

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Pelourinho: The Historic Centre of Salvador

To immerse in a delightful rush of culture, dedicate an entire day to Pelourinho, located in the upper part of the city of Salvador. An erstwhile Portuguese square which functioned as a large slave market was active through the 19th century. Later after slavery was abolished and sovereignty was restored as a standard of human existence, the area received recognition as a World Heritage Site. Today it is just a remnant of an ignoble past, an ornate façade that is actually hollow from inside. However, it is this façade, painted in vibrant colors that please the eyes. The “Manueline”  “Plataresque” and “Pombaline” styles of décor which are the prerequisites of the Portuguese architecture define the edifices which tourists come to view.

Visit the Igreja de São Francisco church to appreciate its artistic refinement and intricacies. This is a quarter enlivened with music and food. So whenever you are in Salvador, do grab the map at the information centre in Pelourinho before heading on a tour of the town!

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Elevador Lacerda, Salvador

You must be wondering what could be the reason behind including something as commonplace like an Elevator in a segment where natural wonders and beautiful landscapes rule the roost.

The elevator, Elevador Lacerda, at Salvador is no ordinary lift. It is a vehicle that bridges the gap between the people of the upper city and those of the lower city, who would have otherwise remained apart by a long stretch of time owing to the dividing escarpment, if it were not for the elevator. This 236 feet tall elevator was built in the 19th century in the style of art deco. Today it transports at least fifteen thousand people on a daily basis.

The Elevator of Salvador is a wonderful conception emerging out of the human intellect. It was ideated and designed by engineering masterminds, Antonio de Lacerda and Augusto Frederico de Lacerda. It bespeaks of innovation.

A thrilling 30 seconds ride literally takes you from one dimension to another. Okay, levels to say the least, if not dimension.

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Foz do Iguacu: The Wonder Treasure of Brazil

The Brazilian city in the southern state of Parana is a top pick among tourists who are look for leisure as well as recreation. There are many reasons as to why it is so.

The Iguacu Waterfalls: The natural spectacle of 257 falls cascading down the rocks making up the largest waterfalls system in the world is something that you can only “imagine” unless you behold the sight for real. The Devil’s Throat is the largest fall among the rumbling torrents, which you can contemplate with a dumbfounding awe from the bridge that is smack dab in the middle of the falls!

The falls are so huge that they share property space between Brazil and Argentina, fed by the Iguacu River. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Now if that recognition, does not qualify this as a place worth giving your life for, what is?

Given you want some wet and wild adventures under the live waterfalls; book yourself a seat with Macuco, a terribly recommended safari tour.

Best Time to Visit: September and October

Things to carry: Rain jackets

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Adventures in the Iguacu National Park

The 0.3% of the Iguacu National Park, which is open to public access, is mostly comprised of the grand waterfalls. However, the journey till the waterfalls can be undertaken thorough the lush rain-forest that houses the plungers. The Iguacu National Park hosts a roster of adventures like biking, hiking and kayaking.

Ride through the subtropical rain-forest at a pleasant pace. Then leave the bike to continue the journey amicably on foot. Crisscrossed by hard packed trails, suspended bridges and boardwalks, the trekking takes you uphill. Gain the bonus of enjoying a mesmerizing view of the falls below from a high lookout. 

The rain-forest is renowned for housing many exotic birds that have been rescued from cruelty. We are not saying that you will touch the skies as far as bird-watching is concerned, but if you are lucky enough you might catch a few plumed beauties!

End the journey on a jet boat ride along the Iguassu River. And here’s for you a day well spent amidst activity and composure!