On March 28 of this year, the world watched in horror as footage from Bangkok showed the aftermath of a powerful earthquake — a collapsed skyscraper, overflowing rooftop pools. News reports occasionally mentioned that the actual epicenter of the quake was not in Bangkok, but nearly 1,000 kilometers away in Myanmar, near the city of Mandalay.
In February 2021, a military coup took place in Myanmar. A military junta seized power, and since then the country has been in a state of civil war.
No one really knows what is happening on the ground — not even the government itself, which has little control or information about the rebel-held territories. “Today, Myanmar presents a picture of utter devastation and despair,” said the United Nations Secretary-General.
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck the country has reached five thousand and continues to rise. Thousands have been injured, and many remain trapped under the rubble.
Even before the tragedy, Myanmar was facing a prolonged political, humanitarian, and human rights crisis, with consequences felt across the entire region. According to the UN, nearly 20 million people — one in every three residents — were already in need of humanitarian assistance. Millions had been forced to flee their homes due to ongoing violence.
The earthquake has only deepened the suffering of the population — and the monsoon season is just around the corner.
These recent news brought tears to my eyes. It’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening in Myanmar — a country that once gave me so much warmth, light, and joy.
I felt an overwhelming urge to remember Myanmar the way I saw it — back in December 2015 and January 2016. It was a rare and precious moment: the country was going through a short period of “thaw” — a time of hope, openness, and change that lasted from 2011 to 2021. I was lucky enough to witness it while it still lasted.
And now I want to share with you these almost intimate memories. You can read the full story at the link below.
If you enjoy real-time travel diaries, feel free to follow my Telegram channel! That’s where I write on the go — sharing thoughts, photos, and little details you won’t find in polished guidebooks. Spring is here — and that means my traditional travel marathon is about to begin!
Next week I’m flying to the Czech Republic: planning to visit a few charming old towns, and of course, do a quick run through Prague and Brno.
In May I’ll be on a work trip to Hannover — hopefully, I’ll have time to explore and show you around.
And in summer… we’re going all in: biking across the Åland Islands, hiking through the Azores, and hitting the gravel mountain roads of Albania and North Macedonia.
Come along !