One of my favourite people to follow on Instagram is Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear. His photos, whether taken traveling, on tour, or from the home state of NY, are pretty much without exception gorgeous, compelling or interesting in some way. A few weeks ago he baffled his followers with an extensive visual report of his trip to Myanmar (Burma), putting this beautiful country once and for all on my 'places I must visit'-list. Wow! A heartfelt note accompanying his last shot from the country just might convince you, too:
"Our last night leaves us visiting #burma 's most sacred site, the Shwedagon Pagoda. I'm afraid photography doesn't do this much justice and the scale is totally lost, but it was absolutely stunning at dusk tonight. In the morning we leave to a 24 hour layover in Bangkok. Really glad everyone has enjoyed the photos from the trip, been one of the most memorable ones I've taken and I urge people to visit this incredible country with its amazing people and nature. If you do though, read up on its history and political stances and try to visit in a way that puts your tourist money in the hands on the people not the ruling military. It's impossible not to at all with entrance fees and airlines often being government owned but there are some ways around it, particularly with hotels and eating out and souvenirs. This country is in a really spectacularly interesting place right now just beginning to open up to the western world. Come before it turns into Disneyland and make sure to chat with as many locals as possible. I can't stress how amazing the people here are and how excited they (seemingly are) to have foreigners visiting. No write up on IG can even begin to shed proper light on the history and culture of this country so I just hope everyone's curiosity is piqued and you all read up on this great country and hopefully visit!!! Thank you Burma/Myanmar!!!"
Pictures © Ed Droste, instagram.com/edroste
