R.A.T. Your Rodent Around-the-World Traveler (a.k.a. Raz)

Hi, My name is R.A.T., which stands for Rodent Around-the-World Traveler (I like to think it stands for Rodent Adventure Traveler), but everyone here calls me Raz for short. I would love to share my adventures with you. I left my rat family in early January to seek adventure. Everyone said "head west young rat," so that is what I did. I headed west to San Diego, California where I ran out of land and had to hop on a ship to continue my journey. It turns out that the ship I found was going west around the world--a dream come true! The MV Explorer is home to the famous Semester at Sea study abroad program. My shipmates include 629 college students and about 150 faculty, staff, lifelong learners, and family members. Things are really busy here on the ship and even busier when we are in port. Come follow me vicariously as I take this incredible journey. Yours, R.A.T.

P.S. I had such a great time on the voyage that the adventure continues!!!!



Friday, April 11, 2025

RAT in the World: Burma

 
A good book to read before my visit!
First stop Yangon (former Rangoon) and the Shwedagon (Golden Dagon) Pagoda.
 
 
Independence Monument

      
Ministers' Building (a.k.a. the Secretariat) is such a beautiful Victorian Building

  
Bus stop on the road to Naypyidaw, the late-20th-century military capital.
 
 Road in Naypyidaw--20 lanes wide!!!--Can you find me?
 

Parliament--safely kept behind guarded fences!
Uppatasanti Pagoda in Naypyidaw.
 
       I found a friend.                                               The guy doesn't look so friendly. 
Wait! I though stupas were suppose to be solid mounds. This one has an interior!

View from top of Uppatasanti Pagoda.

Found another friend nearby!

Another temple. This time modeled after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bhod Gaya, India
Memorial to the Fallen Heroes in Naypyidaw.
One of the many, many halls in the massive Defence Service Museum in Naypyidaw.
Stopped at Mount Popa on our way to Bagan--watch out for monkeys as you climb the 777 steps up!
 
Made it!
 
Balloon ride over the temples of Bagan--magical!!! There's Dhammayangyi! 
 
 
Not sure why there was a big blue balloon inside Dhammayangyi.
 
The Ananda Temple
 
I feel like I am back in Yangon--the beautiful Shwezigon Pagoda!
 
A protective beast.
 
A big protective Buddha.


Had time to make a stop to visit some young ones.
 
Time for a bit of R&R on the Irrawaddy. My thoughts go out to those impacted by the earthquake.
 

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