We visited Myanmar in November of 2014, on a Viking River Cruise. Myanmar was just opening up at the time, and it was fascinating to experience the country in flux. We were lucky enough to have done a long cruise on the Irrawaddy. The water was very low - and there were no docks, we just pulled up to the nearest riverbank. Because of this, after a single season, Viking changed the routing to a shorter loop itinerary.

Of course, the Buddhist temples were a highlight, particularly in the picturesque area of Bagan. But each little village we visited had its own charm - and mysteries.