The Tour Guide....

If you want to bring back fabulous memories from a trip,

it is essential that you have a professional tour guide. 

We have a list of qualities that we look for in a guide,

when you have these qualities you can expect 

wonderful things to happen on your trip.

We find that someone who is attentive, interested, patient,

kind, upbeat, endearing and entertaining works a charm.

A guide who is professional, knowledgable and has a sixth sense, 

easily adapting to the needs of the client is pure gold. 

Solid language skills are essential.

A bonus for me is good photographic knowledge with

suggested photo tips and best locations for photographs.

If you get a guide with a never say never, can do attitude..

take them home with you!

Am I dreaming?

Not really, as we have had many who are just like that.

We have also had the extreme opposite.

Often times it is the luck of the draw.

On our recent trip to Myanmar...we had three fabulous guides 
and one not so fabulous. I will focus on the fabulous.

Each one offered us a unique perspective and what we enjoyed most 

of all were the stories they wove through each and every minute of the day.

Aung Ngwe from Bagan was a master storyteller

and charming to boot. From Aung Ngwe we 

discovered the ancient history of Myanmar/Burma.

He also managed a tutorial on the use of the lungi (mens attire) 

for my son Connor. I admit there was a bit of lungi envy going on.

I grabbed a few of the female versions.

Aung Ngwe seemed to know where to be at just the right time of day.

For this photographer, there were many happy moments.

From our Lake Inle guide, Nyein Nyein Ei, we learned 

how the people live and work on the lake. It is a magical place.

She managed to get us up close and personal 

and was also kind enough to help us with our shopping. 

My hat sits atop hers.

Diamond from Mandalay was a special treat...

when he met us he told us his philosophy on life. 

He said..

"It is important to live in the moment and be happy. 

What is past is past, the future has not happened yet,

 live in the moment, be happy in the moment. That is the

secret to life." How can you argue with that?

Diamond was a masterful storyteller..from him

 we learned about Buddhism and the beauty and richness 

of a spiritual life in Myanmar.  

His stories were as magical as the gold that shimmered 

on this Buddha at the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay.

and when we least expected it...he would break into song.

Living in the moment...being happy.

                                             

It was infectious. 

Connor could feel it too!

Images by Jeanne Henriques