The Forbidden Islands

Only 200,000 people visit Myanmar a year. Compare that to the 6 million who visit Venice annually, and it's clear why Myanmar is one of the purest travel adventures.

Like many poor nations under a dictatorial regime, independent travel in Myanmar is not for the faint of heart. But the rewards are immeasurable, and the people gentle and friendly, despite their woes.

My experience kayaking the remote Mergui Archipelago is documented in the chapter "The Forbidden Islands" in Nothing Routine - A Quest for Discovery in Remote and Strange Places.

After that expedition, I traveled by public transportation to the places that the government allows foreigners to visit.

The temples of Bagan are among the world's least known treasures, rivaling the majesty of Cambodia's Ankor Wat. I biked and hiked around these temples for days, and seldom saw others.

The Inle Lake region and the mountain town of Kalaw are in gorgeous natural settings.

Myanmar is the finest adventure destination in Southeast Asia. See for yourself, and see it now.