In Bagan, Myanmar, the best way to get around is on an e-bike. If you’re not sure what that is I’ll give you a quick definition.

Burmese E-Bike: 1. :A less than stellar electrically powered motorized vehicle with two wheels that may or may not get you from the hypothetical point A to the hypothetical point B

see also: “a slower than average moped,” or “a scooter that even Obama couldn’t look elegant riding”

After flat tires, several skids, attempted wheelies, a few jumps, dubious amounts of battery power, and some close calls with the local stray dog population, the e-bikes really did prove to be the ultimate way to get around Bagan. My only complaint would have to be that because they were electric, they were completely silent which meant that you had to make your own motor bike sounds for the full effect. Oh yeah, and the brakes didn’t work very well…but that’s beside the point.

This is just one of the many larger temples around Bagan and as we were on the hunt for a super duper sunset spot one night we stumbled across this pathway. We thought that we had done the unthinkable and stumbled across a hidden trail to a secret temple off of the beaten path. Upon further investigation, however, we found that just around the corner was a large road, ending in a large parking lot, filled with lots of large tour busses. Disappointment maximus!