Sunrise in Bagan, Myanmar

The morning sunrise from the top of North Guni Pagoda. I awoke at 4 am to go sunrise chasing on an e-bike I rented from a stall down the street. I found the temple devoid of any activity, climbed the seven flights of stairs, and emerged at the top to see the balloons gracefully parading through the sky. THIS is why I travel, THIS is why it's worth it: for these moments that take your breath away. "This is Burma,' wrote Rudyard Kipling. 'It is quite unlike any place you know about." Exhale.