iPHONE PHOTO ESSAY: TEMPLES AND BUDDAS SHINING IN BAGAN, MYANMAR
I’m getting old, I’m getting lazy, I’m getting tired of lugging luggage. I’m getting tired of lugging even the one camera with non-interchangable built-in lens. All these photos were taken with my iPhone, and the three inside shots were in very low light. I’m thinking of traveling only with my phone, no camera. And maybe a Sherpa. Somebody slap me.
Oh, and I’m pretty sure this won’t surprise anyone: I’ve still made no plans for my upcoming trip in December. I have discovered I don’t need a visa for Cuba. I’ve also discovered it’s difficult to travel and rainy season, and pricey during Xmas in Madagascar. I’ve discovered there’s an apartment by a lazy river for rent, maybe, in Vietnam. Then I think perhaps I should write about Abu Dhabi while I’m here and save money on travel.
VIEW OTHER POSTS ON MYANMAR:
10 Ways to slow down on Inle Lake
You must have a good phone. Every pix I take with mine seems blurry…
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I think you have to get the right light…and hold it steady, it’s really easy to move your hand while taking a pic…the new models amaze me
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I love how you’ve obviously been planning your unplanned Dec trip. Nobody doesn’t plan and do research at the same time. Right? And while you were at it, slap some photos from your phone from a previous trip on your blog and tell people you aren’t planning to bring a camera. I mean, not planning is a plan, right? Poop (There. I said it for you).
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L…HA!! I see what you mean. But I think there is a pretty heavy (not fine) line between “planning” and “researching.” And the stuff I discovered was two pages into the guidebook. And the part about Cuba…another blogger told me. So…yeah…”considering” might be called planning. But without the actual planning involved in the actual going on the actual trip….eh? And you’re right…not planning is a plan…which I have mastered.
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Breath taking
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H4tS….well, thank you very much. at least not bad for a phone, eh
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Exactly
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!
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I love all of these photos – the cropping is wonderful, especially the last one.
We could arrange to be in Cuba in December . . . . . . .
Alison
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Yeah, the cropping. That is the way I take photos because of the film days when you had to get it right, and I’ve learned that now you can crop it on your laptop, I should take broader shots so I don’t miss something. But I still crop heavy in camera. Cuba in December, eh? Well, that might be interesting. I’m still mulling. I want to get there before the tsunami of Amuricans flood the shores and molest the culture completely and buy up all the old cars. But it’s so far from here.
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Yes it is far, but knowing you you’ll keep putting it off and next thing you know all the old cars will be bought up by ‘Murikins and the streets will be filled with regular cars and Mickey D’s, and every last beach will be surrounded by resorts 🙂
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I know. That’s the story of my life!!! I need a Don to make arrangements for me!! And decisions.
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Yes, he’s very good at both!
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OK…I’ll double the price for him.
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These are great phone photos, Badfish.
Mr ET, who is a total camera snob, bought a new phone just before we went to England in August. (He had resisted for years and kept using the pathetic excuse for a phone he’d bought online, just to be contrary, before giving in when the phone finally gave out) Then, he started taking photos with it so he could upload them to Facebook. (another techno thing he refused to partake in until his friends told him he was an old fuddy duddy) He was astounded at how good the photos were and spent hours taking photos and putting them on Facebook and blocking everyone’s feed with hundreds of phone photos. 🙂
I don’t mind where you go, because I’m happy to travel vicariously to any destination.
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Me too, Badfish – I’m certain I’ll enjoy the vicarious journey too!
We’re having camera discussions too. We’ve got way too much equipment and DSLRs apparently don’t like motorbikes too much, although wrapped in a sleeping bag seems to work. I really don’t want to part with mine, and I have a fabulous macro lens I love working with, but it’s HUGE and HEAVY.
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Safar…where in the world are you now, anyway? On the road, on a bike I assume. DSLRs are notorious for not liking to get bumped around. I have an old Nikon film camera with a lens, a 100mm macro that is awesome, that costs twice as much as my present digital camera.
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I’m in Yorkshire still, and not on the bike today, although I’d planned to go out – but it’s way too blustery for my lightweight 125. Don’t fancy being swept across the road (bikers are reporting their sudden shift in lanes now autumn here). We’re going on the road proper in April. My partner is leaving current job at xmas, which is when they finish a first phase of a project he’s been supervising at a local company. However, that company have offered him 3 months consultancy work to help them through the implementation – and heck the financial package was too good for even me to refuse the extra delay (and given Jan to Mar won’t be great for biking and gets us more training in).
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I’ve done some darkroom work back in the day – so have toyed with the idea of a film camera again, but after consideration have decided not to. Have you any experience with mirrorless?
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No…no mirrorless camera. But I like the idea, if they are lighter weight than mirrors. My camera is the top of the line “bridge” camera, not pro quality, but quite higher quality than the rest of the non-pro cameras. And lighter than pro’s, but still heavy.
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Will have to do my research! I’ll let you know what I do in the end.
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yeah, please share!
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All sounds good to me from here!! Will you drive your own bike on the road, or ride shotgun?
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My own is the plan – I’ve already bought it – just need the license says I can ride it!!
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OK then…you go girl!!!
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Mrs ET…HA!! You know what…I did the same thing…resisted for years. I didn’t even use a cell phone until just recently. Because now, you have to have one because that’s how businesses notify you. I had a cell phone but only used it for car crashes or emergencies. But yeah….I’m truly amazed at some of the shots I see from mobile phones these days, even shots I take, I’m amazed at some, like the first one in my post…how does it get any better than that?
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I hope you didn’t have to use it for too many emergencies!
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no real emergencies, but where I live…lots of car crashes!!! people drive like they’re from Cairo…hey, wait…they ARE! you can drive like that in Cairo, you have to, but here at six times the speed….you’re gonna need that cell phone
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That sounds like the drivers in Oman. It was white knuckle travelling all the way!
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if it was white knuckles in Oman…you might no ever want to drive in the UAE!!
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It sounds like a nightmare on wheels!
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your worst nightmare!
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Love how the bird makes an appearance in the temple shot. Doesn’t matter what the camera – timing like that can’t be replaced.
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Yeah, I usually don’t like birds in the shot, they usually just look like blobs of black, but this one looks like a bird!
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Yup – some good detail to add atmosphere to the image.
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It all sounds good to me. Let me know when the Sherpa is free xx
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everyone needs a Sherpa…are you back?
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I’ve been home for a couple of weeks but Dad died whilst we were in the Algarve so it’s been a little traumatic. I posted my first walk since then on Monday.
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Jo…so sorry to hear this. I’ll try to get over to your site as soon as I finish grading these mid-term exams!!
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No worries, Mr. Fish, sir 🙂 I’m not properly back in the groove yet so take your time.
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can’t wait to see your shots and walks
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I am feeling old and lazy and have also almost swapped out my DSLR for my new iPhone camera. Like you, I have no plans made for my upcoming break, and every time I do a spot of research, I get sidetracked or find one little difficulty and give it up. Cuba and Vietnam are both on my list, with the former seeming a tad more likely, just because it’s closer (and hey, Alison and Don might be there! 🙂 ) Nice shiny Burma stuff!
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I know…old and lazy–same page. And I just got sidetracked trying to find flights to Madagascar. The plane stops in the Seychelles, I figure, Oh great, I’ll stop over there. But no…you can’t get off the plane there!!! What’s up with that? Cuba’s far away for me, but wouldn’t it be cool to meet Alison and Don and drive around in a 56 Chevy smoking cigars!!
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It would be AMAZING! I have revived Cuba for a possible January trip … trying to rope my sister into going. Where did you learn about visa questions?
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Kelly at Compassandcamera: https://compassandcamera.wordpress.com/
here is her story that got “Discovered”: https://compassandcamera.wordpress.com/featured-on-freshly-pressed/
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Oh yeah, I’ve actually been corresponding with Kelly via email. But I think I see that Americans do still need a visa (but it’s easy; we can apply through the airline). I bought tickets! I’m going in January.
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I just got an email from Delta, stating they were flying their first flight into Cuba…and they stated we DID need a visa “card”. They also said something like you could fill that thing out upon arrival…but I’d do it ahead of arrival if I were you. I wonder if it’s different if an American flies in from a foreign country? After reading the Delta thing, I’m half tempted to get to Cuba now before that tsunami hits.
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I’m flying Southwest, which is also just starting and gives you all the visa card info. ($50 – can be done ahead or on arrival) Let me know if you go in January! I’m going with my sister and our daughters Jan 6-12 – too short but a good intro.
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Southwest to Cuba? Wow. I’m thinking a week might be good enough for now, at least get there before we ruin the place. Will you stay in Havana or travel a bit?
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Mostly Havana, with a quick side trip for a few days to Vinales in more of the countryside. I’m excited!
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I wonder what it is that’s holding me back from Cuba???? They even speak Spanish, real Spanish, not that Spain Spanish with a lisp.
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First of all, I love all of your photos here. Secondly, Cuba, Madagascar and Vietnam all sound fabulous! But somehow I have a feeling that you would end up going to a place other than the three. Maybe somewhere along the equator?
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Bama…you just may be psychic my friend. After having difficulties finding flights to Madagascar, I just had the thought to just fly back to Bali and enjoy myself!!…on the equator!
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Travel just seems to get harder the older we get. A sherpa sounds like a good idea.
Your pictures are great! I just got my first smart phone, and I will be interested to see how pictures come out. I don’t even know how to put them on my computer. I’ll figure it out.
I love all those Buddhas. What are they made out of? And those golden buildings. Very shiny.
Plans shmans. Haha. I know you plan. Just very open to a plan Be, should it arise.
Have fun.
Mary
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Tell me about it…I almost feel like not traveling now. But a sherpa would make it a lot better. Along with a cook, a maid, and yoga teacher to make me do it. If your computer has an SD slot, all you do is stick the card in the slot. Otherwise, you need a transfer thingy. I’m new to this, too. Most of my photos are in film!!
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Those are nice shots. Just returned from Burma and absolutely loved it. I can’t blame you if you return there.
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Cool. Can’t wait to see your photos. I most likely will not go back. But I enjoyed it immensely!! Did you get to Bagan?
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Now you are just teasing us with where your December plans might take you…
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No…not meant to tease. I just am no dang good at making decisions, and then when I finally make one, something always goes wrong! It’s like the cosmos is teasing me!!
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Part of the glorious ups and downs to travel my friend. If it all went easy where would the fun be in that. If memory serves you lost all of your travel paperwork last time telling you where all of your reservations are. That hit home with me because I always carry a package like that and will surely make a copy and send electronically to my phone or something next time.
I can’t wait to here what you decide on.
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Get this: I just checked out flights to Madagascar. They stop off in the Seychelles. I think…hey cool, I’ll layover there a few days. But no, you can’t layover!!! I’m like HUH?
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Silly rules. Do you think they will handcuff you to the airport?
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They probably just won’t let me off the plane!! I could buy two tickets, one for each leg of the trip, I guess, but I had trouble with that once before!
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Sounds like a problem waiting to happen not to mention prob very expensive.
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yeah…fine if you’re traveling three months, but not three weeks
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I love the idea of Madagascar.
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Me too! It sounds so exotic, eh? I haven’t seen the movie! This time of year, though, is monsoon there…could be more of an adventure than I care for right now!
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Yah. Monsoon might grow weary fast.
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and I hear it gets muddy, and undrivable
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Hey. Since you’re on the subject of changes, what’s with the blog changes? Did you go premium? Looks like you have your own domain name now and if I’ve been paying attention (unlikely) the blog name has changed. But wouldn’t badfish and badchips be more accurate?
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Steveo, you know, I actually paid for premium months ago, just never changed my url thingy. Then when I did, I made a mistake and put the same one I had before without WP thing. I’ve been teasing some commenters about changing the title for months, also. And right…it should be badchips too and Debbie should read this!!! @https://spaceshipchina.com/
I don’t know if that works?
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Consider read, Baddie 🙂
um – no bad chips – I mean who would eat them, duh?
I vote for Cuba.
Mainly cause I’ve always wanted to go there and never got there.
Xmas? Im thinking – just stay ‘home’ in the pollution. sad, really, isnt it? havent quite recovered from the shock of unexpected events at the end of my last trip!
Oh, and premium? i paid ages ago, then they cut the only benefit, which was the happiness engineer access thingie. i dont think those ‘engineers’ are very happy anyhow.
okay – 8 lines reply – bastante!
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Deb…did you get notified/pinged, or did you just see it here in comments? Yeah, Cuba…I can’t figure out what’s holding me back from just going there. Hey, you can still talk to the happiness engineers…I just did it a couple weeks ago. I think they’re happy…maybe high. I had to explain to the guy what a border around a photo was, he wanted me to send him a sample!@!!! But I got the info I needed
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Ahhh … resting here under the covers, fighting off some sort of evil bug, and binge reading and catching up on your posts. You didn’t break my fever (I had hopes!) but you helped make this can’t-do-anything-but-drink-fluids-and-rest day a bit more bearable. Thanks!
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Jackie…well, getting sick has its up sides, I guess!! Thanks for hanging out here! If I can’t break your fever, I guess all I can say is get well, lady…
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Excellent as usual. And great photos. Vietnam! I have a conference there in December. Never been before….
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DesleyJ….thanks. Phones are the new cameras. Where are you going in VN?
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They totally are! I’m going to Hanoi.
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if I go, it’ll be north…I think
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So many choices… I loved my trip to SE Asia but did not get to Myanmar which is on top of my list. Your photos here are exquisite, Badfish.
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Not bad for an iPhone, I think, eh. I did enjoy Myanmar, and if you ever get the chance, I’d say go. It’s one of my favorite places so far…and that’s a lot of places.
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We don´t always need to departure to go on voyage! …. I am loving these pics. Call me an amateur, but I feel quite pleased with the Ipad… 😉 I think the pics look great, dear Badfish… sending love and best wishes. Aquileana 😀
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I’m loving taking photos with my phone…so much lighter to carry than a camera!! thanks for the love!!
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These photographs came out very well, especially considering you only used an iPhone to take them. 🙂
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Yeah…yay for the iphone. And considering it was dark inside there, and no flash…
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I vote for Madagascar or Oslo — no, you didn’t mention Oslo. I just want you to go there for me. Thank you.
My aunt the world traveler was disappointed in Cuba and we are very much alike in tastes. I think I will pass. I spent a lot of time in Puerto Rico and I doubt they are much different.
Burma is one of my fave destinations but I think I will wait a bit. I should watch Beyond Rangoon again, though and get my fix.
Have you seen Indian Summers (in my old age, I forget if I asked you already)? It was filmed in Malaysia and that looks downright indecently scrumptious.
OK, Oslo, maybe Iceland (I’ve been there briefly), definitely Malayasia (again). Those are my requests.
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I like Madagascar…but then, it’s rainy season, and high Xmas season. Oslo…now there’s a new twist on things. I’ve never been to Norway…do they have those green northern lights?
Indian Summers…no…is it a movie or like Bombay in July?
I saw a giant leatherback turtle lay eggs on a beach at midnight in Malaysia…scrumptious indeed.
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I use my phone quite often for photos. Thankfully we travel as a pair as we seem to now have three cameras, a Go Pro, 2 phones and a partridge in a pear tree. Since it’s often carry on we no longer have room for clothes. Not ideal. Good luck with the decision making. Cant believe you don’t want to come to Canada in the winter!
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I bought a Go Pro-type camera (different brand) to use underwater in the Maldives last Xmas. Never used it. Haven’t used it since. I’m a mess on so many different levels, apparently.
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Well it all takes practice that’s the thing.
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Are you saying it takes practice to be such a mess, because I’m pretty sure I’ve had sufficient practice, and am pretty dang good at it.
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These photos bring back such great memories of our trip almost a year ago! Wow! to Myanmar. I do love the exotic sound of ” Burma” but locals told us ( when we asked) that they prefer to go by Myanmar. Did you have any exchanges on the topic?
Bagan was just one of the most magical places ever…
I use my ipad to take photos now…of course that means I am compromising on quality but it also means it is easy and also easier to get portraits shots as people seem less threatened by an ipad. Its also great for showing and sharing with people the shots I take of them – nice big screen compared to a camera.
Peta
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Burma/Myanmar…yeah. Some folks told me they use Myanmar officially, but use Burma unofficially. What’s that about. CAn’t they just decide to call it Burma is what I’m saying.
I love and hate Bagan. Had the greatest time, and the biggest disappointment….soon to become a post.
How do you send a photo from a camera? Can you do that?
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Have you tried Micro Four Third Camera? I used that camera now – it’s light and easy to pack..and you can change the lenses..the lenses were incredibly light. But of course, it depends on how tiny your hands are..I meant I know some people did not want to use it because it doesn’t feel comfy on their super huge hands.. 😀 😀
Great reasons and great images!
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Indah…I haven’t shot photos with a 4/3’s, but I thought about it. They are lighter, but you know, I just don’t want to fiddle with more than one lense any more!! I’m lazy these days. But I might end up going that way.
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So gorgeous thank you for the follow x
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Thanks for visiting and commenting and joining the party…glad you enjoyed!
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I’m amazed that those images were taken with your iPhone 😍. You could totally travel sans DSLR. If your travel decision brings you through Singapore or Johor Bahru Malaysia, give us a shout.
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Hey, when will you be in Singapore? I have time off in Dec/Jan, but had just decided to probably not travel.
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what’s Bahru near?
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The wife and I really love this blog and appreciate the useful information and awesome imagery you provide. We would like to encourage you to keep writing and never abandon this blog. When you decide to have a mobile app version, I would love to be of service. I appreciate the hard work you have put into this blog and wish you all future success in business and in life.
Thank you for your time, it is the most precious thing we all possess.
-Jacque’
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Thanks Jacque…but what do you mean mobile app version?
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Hi,
When I say “mobile app version” I take your blog and turn in into a mobile application. Similar to this one (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.technology.zenlight.themarvelousmind). I love developing and would love some constructive feedback. If you are interested, I would like to program you one free of charge, so long as you provide me with good feedback and honest criticisms.
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does it work on a Mac?
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Right now… it will only work for the Android environment, I am developing for IOS but it is not ready.
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I’d be willing to try it, but I’m on a Mac…let me know when it’s ready
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You’ll be the first to know, happy blogging.
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I am hoping to go to Burma this year. Did you find it hard to obtain a Visa as I believe you cant get on on arrival?
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Dom…you will love Burma. I found it very intriguing. Land travel is slow, though–allow yourself plenty of days to travel. Or fly. The visa was a breeze. Get online to their site and apply. It’s a little scary because they say they may or may not give you a visa. And if they don’t, they say they won’t tell you why not. So apply early for the visa…in case they say no!
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Beautifull 😍😍👌 #amazing
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glad you enjoyed, thanks for stopping in to the cafe here, and thanks for hanging out and commenting!!
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Burma is charming with traditions whose awesomeness is magical
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mz&cmo…you are so right…sooo charming, love the traditions, the culture, and the food!!!
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Great post
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thanks, Anthony, and thanks for hanging out here at the cafe and commenting!
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