religious

Roadtrip in Arizona /  by Yobel Muchang

4 days | Dec 2018 | View of the sky seahorse and seal @ Lower Antelope Canyon.

4 days | Dec 2018 | View of the sky seahorse and seal @ Lower Antelope Canyon.

Quick Thoughts

Arizona is a roadtripping photographer’s dream destination, as one hops from panoramic desert terrains and jaw-dropping canyons, to starlit nights and lush forests, all within a day’s drive. For that reason, a couple buddies and I decided to roadtrip through northern Arizona. I spent my entire childhood in the state, but it took me leaving to realize how stunning & diverse Arizona truly is. Come visit, you won’t regret it!

Key Highlights

Things to Know

  • I went right around Christmas time which means you beat the crowds, but make sure to bring a thick jacket. Northern Arizona gets quite chilly!

  • Don’t bring a drone - they’re not allowed in the national parks (as of this writing). It didn’t stop some folks from flying them around Horseshoe Bend, but take my advice: don’t be That Guy. No one likes That Guy. That Guy’s mother doesn’t even like That Guy.

Bird’s Eye View

Roadtrip in Arizona

Trip by the Photos

3 days in Myanmar /  by Yobel Muchang

3 days | Dec 2018 | Bagan’s pagoda landscape view during sunset.

3 days | Dec 2018 | Bagan’s pagoda landscape view during sunset.

Quick Thoughts

I had a blast exploring the ancient temples, engaging with friendly & extremely gracious locals, and traversing the enchanted foggy landscape whilst floating in a hot air balloon or zipping around in an electric scooter. Myanmar was magical to its core - I only wish I had more than a weekend to enjoy it. Next time I guess.

Key Highlights

  • Link to my collection of Instagram Stories from the trip!

  • Zipping aimlessly on electric scooters from pagoda to pagoda along the dirt roads. Trust me - best way to travel!

  • Hot air balloon ride over Bagan for sunrise. There aren’t words to describe how breathtaking & surreal it is to be floating silently above a misty landscape with only the sounds of birds to keep you company (and the occasional fire blast keeping you afloat).

  • I lost my phone while riding along the dirt roads. And as anyone would do in the modern age, I panicked. Long story short, some locals came to help without hesitation and we found it! A bit worse for wear, but lesson learned.

Things to Know

  • Make sure to get your travel visa in advance! I realized the hard way of my own naiveté when I almost missed my flight. Don’t be like me: with 45 minutes before the gates closed, scrambling to get on airport wifi, taking passport-sized photos, completing applications online, refreshing my inbox every second for an approval notification like a madman, rushing to find an airport printer to print the visa, and making it with less than 5 minutes to go. WHEW!

  • BaobaBed Hostel Bagan - I ended up staying in a private room, and couldn’t have asked for a more comfortable stay. Plus it was across the street from an e-scooter rental spot which made traversing even easier.

  • Zip around on electric scooters! It’s dirt cheap but also incredibly fun, especially once you go onto the dirt paths and explore the pagodas on your own.

  • Watching sunset atop pagodas - A popular attraction is climbing up the temples to watch the sunset. Having said that, most of the pagodas are off-limits now due to safety concerns. Luckily I ran into a local who took me to an open one, saved me from missing out on such an incredible view. I pinned the location in my maps (below).

  • Tipping locals - there was a handful of times when a local helped me out. Instead of paying them directly, they instead asked if I wished to purchase their goods (e.g., artwork). I happily obliged, but keep this in mind!

Bird’s Eye View

3 Days in Bagan

Trip by the Photos