A guide to Bagan, Myanmar's hot air balloons

Ballooning season in Bagan runs from the beginning of October to the middle of April. Sunrise is when most rides are offered, as the cooler morning temperatures allow balloons to float closer to the ancient stupas for a more detailed glimpse. Daybreak also tends to bring with it more dramatic layers of haze, dreamily blanketing the landscape for a perfect photo opp.

   

It’s nearly impossible to picture Bagan without hot air balloons beautifully clouding the historical horizon. Bagan’s balloons have become an iconic symbol of the region, and have carried many travelers on soaring adventures of a lifetime. Here’s how to experience an unforgettable birds-eye view of Bagan, Myanmar.

Balloons over Bagan

Perhaps the most established of Bagan’s ballooning providers is Balloons over Bagan. What started out as one hot air balloon and a small crew nearly 20 years ago has grown into a 12-balloon fleet and over 100 mostly local, experienced crewmembers.

Balloons Over Bagan has two balloon flight options – classic or premium. The classic package costs $340 USD per person. Passengers are picked up, then treated to a light pre-flight breakfast while the balloons fill. Classic balloon baskets fit up to around 10 riders each. Complimentary refreshments paired with wine come after floating over Bagan’s stunning immenseness.

Workers inflate hot air balloons early in the morning in Bagan

For a more intimate, in-flight journey, the premium choice ($450 USD per person) has smaller baskets that fit eight travelers at most, with separate compartments for couples. It also includes an interactive tour and a continental breakfast afterward with just as much wine if not more than the classic balloon flight.

Oriental Ballooning

Oriental Ballooning is newer to the hot-air balloon scene in Myanmar. But, for having only been around since 2013, it’s already become another large ballooning operation. Oriental Ballooning advertises many of the same services and extras as Balloons over Bagan. Basket sizes range from as intimate as four up to the capacity to hold 12 passengers. The price is $399 USD per person.

A silhouette of a hot air balloon at sunrise in Bagan, Myanmar 

All hot air balloon rides last approximately 45 minutes. Book far in advance, as spaces fill up quickly – especially during peak tourist season. Prices tend to be higher from mid-December to mid-January. Inquire while booking.

If ballooning over Bagan doesn’t fit your travel budget this time around, or if rising at great heights above the archaeological zone seems a bit too daunting, there’s still a chance to marvel at the hot air balloons as they drift in with the sunrise. For some of the best shots head to Shwegu Gyi Paya to take in a panoramic view of nearby temples and Bagan’s iconic skyline dotted with balloons in the distance.

There are also other hot air balloon companies in Bagan, and ballooning over several popular travel destinations in Myanmar is possible. Search high and low for the best.

Read more: Top things to do when traveling to Myanmar

Source The Culture Trip

Experience the spring festivals in South Korea

Spring in Korea is the time of flower festivals, lantern festivals and more to brighten up the peninsula along with the bright sunshine and warmer breezes welcoming the warmer months to come. Here are the festivals you should seek out to get in the renewal and rebirth spirit that spring is known for.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring in Korea is almost defined by the cherry blossom, and this festival is undoubtedly one of Korea’s most popular festivals. People will travel the length of the country, and even from abroad, to take pictures in front of the most photogenic trees during the cherry blossom. The beautiful blooms on Cherry Blossom trees make Korea famous all over the world, so it is no wonder that this festival is one of the most popular springtime festivals in the country.

Although the cherry blossom only lasts in each location for a very short period of time, its spread from south to north takes around a month or more.

Time: April 1- April 10, 2019

Nonsan Strawberry Festival

Strawberries are the spring fruit in Korea. This festival has everything from strawberry jam, chocolate covered strawberries and more strawberry treats to fields of strawberries to pick and eat until your bellies are full. Shuttle buses take festival-goers to nearby strawberry fields to pick up and fill up on as many red fruity pieces of goodness as they can.

Time: March

Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival

According to many religions, when Moses parted the sea it was a true miracle. A similar phenomenon occurs naturally on the island of Jindo in the south-west of Korea. Once a year, the strong neap tide pulls the sea away revealing a path, almost three kilometers long, from Jindo to the nearby Modo Island. The resulting phenomena is extremely unusual, so people gather from all over the country to marvel at the parting of the sea.

Jindo is a long way from most major cities, so while you visit the festival, make sure that you take the chance to explore the rest of the island. Jindo is famous for the extremely loyal Jindo breed of dogs. It is famous also for the battle of Myeongnyang among lovers of Korean history, where Admiral Yi Sun-Shin defeated the Japanese navy against the odds.

Time: May 16-May 19, 2019

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival)

The Lotus Lantern Festival celebrates the birth of Buddha and in Seoul the celebration is just spectacular. The highlight of the celebrations is a massive parade through the streets of downtown Seoul with thousands of lanterns in the shapes of lotus flowers, elephants, dragons and more Buddhist visuals. Women in Hanboks walk alongside Buddhist monks in robes and it is not just Korean Buddhists that attend. Buddhists from around the world come to stand alongside people of all faiths and walks of life to celebrate life and light. After the parade, the crowds gather with the parade walkers to dance in the streets.

Time: May 11-May 13, 2019

Read more: Best places to travel in Asia in January

Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival

Yeongdeok is known for its snow crabs, so it is no surprise that this festival occurs every year in the Yeongeok area. If you are a lover of snow crab, this is certainly the festival for you, whether you would like to take a stroll through the public snow crab auction, get on a snow crab fishing boat, or participate in a lively snow crab cooking competition, there is truly something for every snow crab lover at this festival.

Snow crab used to be a delicacy served to Korean kings, and it is still a much-loved seafood featured in many Korean dishes today, check out this festival and celebrate the delicious origins of snow crab in Korea.

Time: March 22 - March 25, 2019

Source Internet

Top must-see destinations to visit in South India

South India really has a distinct culture that sets it apart from the rest of the country. Not only that, each state has managed to retain its own distinct identity. Intricate temple architecture, historical ruins, palm-fringed canals, spirituality and beach will provide you with a varied and interesting trip.

Hampi, Karnataka

One of India's top historical destinations, the laid back village of Hampi was once the last capital of Vijayanagar, one of the greatest Hindu empires in India's history. It has some extremely captivating ruins, intriguingly intermingled with large boulders that rear up all over the landscape.

Varkala, Kerala

The fairy tale setting of Varkala beach is enough to take your breath away, with a long winding stretch of cliff and views that extend over the Arabian Sea. A paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guesthouses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top.

Read more: Top 5 amazing temples in India

Fort Kochi, Kerala

Known as the "Gateway to Kerala", Kochi is an enchanting city that's had an eclectic influence. The Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese, and Portuguese have all left their mark on the city. Most people recognize Kochi from pictures of the famous Chinese fishing nets that line the waterfront. Fort Kochi is full of architecture and historical sites and is a marvelous place to stroll around and explore on foot.

Mysore, Karnataka

Mysore has an impressive royal heritage, with the city's main tourist attraction being the imposing Mysore Palace. There are many other interesting buildings, palaces, and temples to see. Its zoo is one of the best in India. Mysore is also an excellent place to shop for sandalwood and study Ashtanga yoga.

Coorg, Karnataka

For fresh aromatic of south Indian coffee and stunning scenic beauty, head to Karnataka's Kodagu region (often referred to as Coorg, the English version of its name). This picturesque and alluring mountainous area in southern Karnataka, not far from Bangalore and Mysore, is renowned for its plentiful coffee estates. And, you can stay on one! The magnificent Golden Temple, one of the top Buddhist monasteries in India, is not to be missed as well.

Read more: Visit Rajasthan, the Land of Kings in India

Source TripSavvy