Author Archives: Pat Feldhaus

By the time we reached Katha – the site of Orwell’s “Burmese Days” which I had just finished, I was primed for my motorcycle ride with one of the mahouts to the Myanmar Timber Enterprise with a herd of a … Continue reading →

Mandalay was truly a sight to behold starting with the Royal Barge. Palace and Golden Palace Teak Monastery to the World’s Largest Book – a plantation of white stupas which contained 774 marble slabs with all the Buddha’s teachings inscribed … Continue reading →

After we docked at Bagan, a World Heritage site, we boarded a bus to visit an overwhelming array of almost 3,000 temples and stupas covering 25 square miles.  Stupas are usually gilded solid structures with a dome and a reliquary … Continue reading →

As our Pandaw river chugged along the Irrawaddy, I noticed fields of corn, large clusters of papyrus, thatched roof villages and river washed laundry flapping on the clotheslines.  Our on board presentations included a makeup demonstration of thanaka (ground sandalwood) … Continue reading →

We drove from Yangon (Rangoon) 179 miles by bus to our embarkation point in Pyay (Prome).  Along the 2 lane “highway” bordered by rice fields and canals on each side, we made frequent stops at thatched roof toll stops and … Continue reading →

Temples. stupas, longyi clad men and women and laughing children formed a mosaic as Kathy, my MT nurse daughter, and I traveled with 30 Australians on the Pandaw Katha River Cruiser while the mighty, muddy Irrawaddy snaked its way into … Continue reading →

Proceeding with our tour we visited Banyan Temple built in 1181 A.D. to honor both Buddhists and Hindus.  It’s surrounded by a moat which is as wide as two football fields.  In the afternoon, Kathy went on a trek in … Continue reading →

This was our full day seeing the temples.  In order to get into Angkor Wat, each person has to be photographed for security.  Mack, our guide arranged for us to start the day with an elephant ride.  I had to … Continue reading →

Siem Reap, the home of Angkor Wat, is considered a major city in Cambodia with over a million residents; however, it resembles a rural village in the U.S. with dirt side streets and only basics for sale. MANY bikes, motor … Continue reading →

Today our river cruise on the Mekong ended so the crew members hoisted our luggage on their backs and shoulders to climb the dirt trail with hand dug steps up a steep embankment.  Even though Kathy and I started up … Continue reading →