I do not have a travel bucket list or at least one that I have spent time really thinking about and ticking off. But if you ask me where I want to go, Myanmar would be on my list of places I want to visit again.

I went to Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) to take part in an event. In recent years, the country has finally started opening its doors to welcome more travelers after over 40 years of relative isolation. I did not know what to expect when I get there. And in hindsight, I think that was one of the reasons I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I was in full-on discover and experience mode.

I arrived in Yangon after about five hours of air travel. I would have loved to explore the city. But I did not have the time for it as I was headed to the capital city Naypyidaw or Nay Pyi Taw as it is officially called.  I met a couple of my colleagues at the airport who were waiting for their flight from Yangon to Naypyidaw. I was not taking the same flight with them because I opted to travel by bus. My contact there initially raised his concerns about me taking the bus instead of flying in. He said it will take me about six hours instead of the approximately 30 minutes by plane. I was also traveling alone so I thought he might have been a bit worried about me taking that long ride by myself. But I told him I would be fine. What I did not tell him was that I actually enjoy long bus rides. And that I am a nervous flyer so I try to avoid short flights as much as I can. I would gladly choose a long bus ride over a 30-minute flight. (The two colleagues I met at the airport later told me that they wished they just took the bus with me because it was so hot inside the plane they were sweating buckets on what turned out to be a 45-minute trip).

Since I was traveling on my own to Naypyidaw, I thought I will have to make my own arrangements to get to the bus terminal from the airport. I was surprised to find out that my contact arranged not just for a car to take me there but also for someone to accompany me. As soon as we arrived at the bus terminal, that person told me to just sit down and quickly left to buy the ticket for me. I was so touched by the kindness, which was just the first of the many I have seen and experienced during my stay.

The person who bought the ticket for me chose a window seat at the front, which I was really thankful for. The bus was huge and spacious, there was a lot of leg room, and there was no overpowering smell of perfume or freshener that usually makes me dizzy (or worse, throw up).

After only a few minutes of waiting at the terminal, the bus left to start its nighttime journey. The busy streets of Yangon soon gave way to the wider and newer highway leading to Naypyidaw. Dusk slowly started to set in but there was still enough light to enjoy the beautiful scenery outside. I then spent most of the time sleeping as it got too dark the deeper the night went.

My first meal in Myanmar was dinner at the rest stop that seemingly sprung from nowhere in that long stretch of road to Naypyidaw. I had noodle soup with tofu (that was more liquid than solid) poured over the thin noodles with what looked like crushed nuts, sesame seeds, some shredded veggies, and chili. It was tasty and filling.

The bus continued its journey to Naypyidaw after that brief stop. The entire trip took less than five hours. I arrived just before 11:00 am and I was met by two people who then took me to Nga Laik Kan Tha Garden & Resort which served as a home away from home for the trip. The resort sits right next to a dam and offers picturesque views of the surrounding scenery.

My Burmese friend who lives in Yangon told me that Myanmar is veg-friendly. She also told me that all the taxi drivers know where the veg restaurants are and could take travelers there. While I have not tried dining at the Indian and Chinese temple restaurants for vegetarians, I was able to enjoy different plant-based dishes.

I may not have seen much of Yangon or visit Bagan during my trip. But I had the chance to visit some of the attractions in Naypyidaw and experience the people's warmth and hospitality. Visiting the ancient city of Bagan is definitely on my list of must-do things the next time I travel to Myanmar.