We spent just one night at Mount Popa. We both wish we had stayed longer, but we were not disappointed with our next stop – the lovely Bagan Thiripytsaya Sakura Hotel. Our room at the hotel has great views of the Irrawaddy River – Myanmar’s mightiest. There is also a huge inviting pool, and a very attentive staff. We’re glad that we have three nights here.

We got to our room just in time to hear John McCain’s concession speech. From this moment on, if we so much as mention the name of our new president-elect and we are showered with applause and smiles. This works everywhere we go in Burma. I call it the “Obama Effect”. It’s been a while since it felt this good to be an American overseas. Life is good.