It was an early rise to get to Bagan, we left the hotel at 4:30 to catch our flight to Bagan with Yangon "you know your safe with us" airways. The plane was tiny and was propelled by propellors, which apart from when I did a sky dive that is the only time I've been in plane with propellors. They obviously recognised Xmas and had hung a bauble from each of windows for decorations. The flight was short and only took and hour and twenty minutes and we had to fly to Mandalay first before heading onto Bagan. As we were only flying between 8000-15000 feet you quite clearly see the land below, it was mostly fields and farmland with very few buildings. Upon arrival at Bagan airport we all got off the plane to board a bus to take us to the airport baggage claim, it had to be the most pointless exercise I've experienced since arriving. The airport entrance was only 20 meters away, it took longer for us all to get on the bus than if we were to walk to the airport. We all boarded the bus drove 20 meters and then we all got off...unbelievable.

The first stop was a flyby visit to Naung Oo market, it was a very brief stop and being tourists we were stopped continually to see if we wanted to purchase postcards or have any makeup applied...it's a big thing here, all the woman seem to be into it, although the trick is to make sure your makeup doesn't blend in with your skin, colour, the more obvious and paler it looks the more attractive you are.

When we arrived at the hotel a group of us decided to walk to the Law-ka-nan-da pagoda situated on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy river. Enroute we stopped off to have fresh fruit shakes, I had water melon shake, I do like the fruit shakes and juices in Asia. The one thing that stood out for me in Bagan was there was not many tarmac roads, just dusty dirt tracks with the old car or horse and cart going down them.

Mid afternoon we went to the old part of Bagan to start the journey of visiting lots of temples. The area is dotted with temples allover, there seems like there is hundreds. The first stop was Shwezigan pagoda that contained a huge lying bhudda.

In the evening time we went for a meal and it was all down hill for some time after that for me as I got gastro-enteritis and didn't leave the toilet that night whatsoever. The following morning, after no sleep, and feeling worse for wear, I had the option to visit the numerous temples around old Bagan. I was originally going to cycle to the temples but I couldn't face it as I was still feeling rather ill so chose to get horse and cart. To be honest I've never been out carrying toilet roll in one hand and a camera in the other, I did get some strange looks from the locals. I thought Imodium was really affective however, whatever I had made it completely useless, I'd had seven in a space of 30 minutes and I later read on the packet only take 8 per day. The other thing that was also on my mind was was I going to be well for my balloon flight a day later.

The temples were a good visit despite feeling really ill and also apart from some strange looks from the locals they all wanted to have their picture taken with me which was strange...I'm not sure they have seen many westerners yet. One girl got her dad to ask could she have a picture with me, she was proper holding my hand as well, it was a but strange. The one thing that was really noticeable around the temples was the child begging, trying to sell postcards and other tat. One kid asked me where I was from and I said England, he then responded with "one direction", that was a bit of a surprise I would of expected a bigger more famous group than them...but it is official One Direction are big Myanmar.

The last temple we climbed to the top of it so that we can watch the sunset over old Bagan. Didn't eat anything at all all day and had a bit of soup for dinner as I thought that may help, but it didn't. I later went to a market stall and bought some fruit mentoes hoping that would help. My balloon flight is tomorrow, life time experience lets hope i feel better as I dread to think what may happen at 2000ft

It was early rise at 5am to join the balloon ride. It felt bit better but was no way going to tempt fate and eat something. We were picked up by a guy driving a pre war bus that has wooden slats for windows and looked like it had seen plenty of miles. Upon arrival we were given some safety instructions which was a sigh if relief and we were also given a Belgian pilot called Christof which I suppose added to the feeling safe experience. We watched the balloons being inflated and watch up we were all boarded our own section that housed 3 people. We rose up quite high at first but then we had to lower the altitude as the wind was pushing the balloon towards the river. We were able to see loads of temples and seeing them from a different angle with the sun rising was a great experience. The only annoying thing was I was situated next to woman who I think thought it was a great idea to bring her entire hand luggage on a balloon flight...why?it was just getting in the way. The balloon flight lasted approximately 45 minutes before landing, the landing was a bit rough and took several bounces before we eventually stopped...a few meters from some concrete posts. Overall the experience was definitely a highlight of my trip and made up for being so ill the past day or so.

As the balloon flight finished for 8:00 the remainder of the day we hired a driver to take us to mount Popa about 1 hour and 30 minute drive from Bagan. On the way we visited a village to experience village life before climbing the 770 steps to the top of mount Popa, an extinct volcano that is a spiritual headquarters for nat worship. Once at the top you were able to get a 360 degree view of the stunning scenery surrounding the mountain. When we arrived back we watched the sunset again but from a different temple from the previous night. I also managed to start eating again so things are starting look up on that front.