MyanmarTimNickMay 26, 2016spiceroads, myanmar, burma, tim stockert, nick garramone, asia, krissy kelly, zac perry

Cè-zù tin-ba-deh Krissy and Zac!

MyanmarTimNickMay 26, 2016spiceroads, myanmar, burma, tim stockert, nick garramone, asia, krissy kelly, zac perry

In recent years, we've travelled domestically and abroad with a number of our close friends; most recently in 2014 to Cappadocia with Karen and Alex and to Istanbul for Stephanie and Erol's wedding which included Karen, Alex, Mike and George; in the past 4 1/2 years to Lake Placid with nearly all of our friends including a recent 3-day/2-night canoe trip with Quique, Siobhan, TJ and Stacy; and to Hawaii this past November with TJ and Stacy. In all cases, we've shared these incredible experiences that have strengthened our friendships and forged lasting memories and relationships.

This past week, we've had the opportunity to experience Myanmar with our dear friends, Krissy and Zac. This blog post is a heartfelt "thank you," or "cè-zù tin-ba-deh" in Burmese for an unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever.

The whole idea of traveling in SE Asia with Krissy and Zac hatched one cold February morning when we serendipitously ran into Krissy in Central Park. We were going out for our run and she was just finishing. We stopped to chat and the conversation went approximately like this:

Krissy: Hey! I'm leaving my job and planning to travel this year and am starting my trip in SE Asia in April.

Us: No way!! We're taking a 30-day trip through SE Asia in May.

Krissy: No way!!

Us: Wanna meet up and do an 8-day/7-night bike trip through Myanmar with us?

Krissy: Are you kidding?! Absolutely!

Us: What about Zac?

Krissy: Oh yeah, we'll take him too.

Having cane juice. We're pretty sure it made us all a little bit ill.

Okay, we may have taken a few editing privileges on that last line. Bottom line... Krissy and Zac decided to join us for a bike and kayak trip through Myanmar with a company called SpiceRoads.

Fast forward and before we knew it, we were all WhatsApping each other in Bangkok to meet up and fly to Mandalay for the start of our trip which included 8 days together - 1 night in Mandalay, 2 nights in Bagan, 1 night in Kalaw, 2 nights on Inle Lake, and 1 night in Yangon. We spent 4 days on bicycles together, 1 day on a kayak, and the other days walking around. We had over 20 meals together which included lots of Myanmar beers at lunch/dinner (much safer than water), and lots of snacks. We shared amazing experiences and stories and laughed a lot with each other and with our guides Toe Toe, Ko Ko and Soe Soe.

In our longyis at the top of Table Mountain (immediately before Krissy was attacked by a monkey)

Krissy and Zac, while there are many experiences that we will cherish from this trip, these are just a few of memories about which we will laugh, smile, and always remember.

Zac wearing a longyi (with a tempered enthusiasm).
Tim getting a couples massage with Krissy because the staff assumed we were a couple when we came in together and asked for a massage. The staff were very, very confused when we asked to pay separately and gave them separate room numbers. We, on the other hand, laughed hysterically.
Krissy tipping her kayak in Inle Lake, Toe Toe panicking because he can't swim well, and the rest of us laughing and pulling out our cameras to take photos instead of helping Krissy.
All of us but especially Zac getting a little tipsy on our Cane alcohol.
Watching Krissy and Zac eat their first durian... and liking it.
Hearing Krissy scream and then realizing that she literally had had a monkey on her back.
Seeing Krissy and Zac engage with the local Burmese people and making them laugh and smile.
Our last meal and last night in Yangon where we laughed, ate great food, and celebrated a successful trip.

Krissy climbing back into her kayak after an unexpected dip in Inle Lake

There were so many more experiences that are impossible (and perhaps not appropriate) to ennumerate in a blog post. Suffice it to say, we are so grateful for our friendship. Thank you again for a wonderful trip. We look forward to many more adventures with you in the future.