I Spent most of October 2000 in Myanmar. From Yangon, I went North to Mandaly, on to Inle lake and across to Bagon. After a few days cycling around the thousands of temples there, I headed to the coast and passed a delightful week on Ngapali Beach. Absolutely Pristine, practically deserted: surely one of the best beaches I've ever lazed on!

Travel is pretty rough in the country with few roads being more than a narrow strip of rubble. The people are really great, despite putting up with an infrastructure in shambles and severe restrictions on freedoms. If you get a chance, have a look at this amazing region before Starbucks' makes it there.