Burma (officially Myanmar) is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary countries of South East Asia.

The cultural isolation caused by a 60 year military regime makes the country a surreal and unique mix of modern and ancient. Recent political transition to a (partially open) democracy is now boosting tourism and foreign investments with Yangon quickly growing into a bustling Asian capital city.

I traveled from the remote north of the country through to the quiet and remote Indawgi Lake, then made my way south to Mandalay and Bagan, only to head west to the magical and remote Mrauk-oo, in Rakhine State.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Portrait taken in remote Chin village in Burma. Banned in the 1960s by the Burmese Government, the practice of tattooing girls' faces aimed to disguise their beauty and protect them from abductions by the king. Another theory states that the tattooes simply mark the belonging to a specific tribe. Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Portrait taken in remote Chin village in Burma. Banned in the 1960s by the Burmese Government, the practice of tattooing girls' faces aimed to disguise their beauty and protect them from abductions by the king. Another theory states that the tattoos simply mark the belonging to a specific tribe.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Yangon is a rapidly expanding Asian Capital. According to the Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT), as much as 35% of downtown Yangon was destroyed between 1990 and 2011 to make way for new development projects. That's about 1,800 buildings. (source: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-31146066 )

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Indawgyi Lake is one of the largest inland lakes in South East Asia. It only receives a few dozen travellers per year, most of them birdwatchers.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Palafitte houses in Indawgyi Lake.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Fishermen on the Indawgyi Lake. Contrary to the crowded Inle Lake, Indawgyi is not spoiled by hordes of tourists. With the impact of recent tourism this is bound to change in the near future.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Monks cutting a big palm tree into manageable firewood, as seen in a monastery in Nyanungbin, Indawgyi Lake.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Novice monks pose in Nyanungbin monastery.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

The head monk plays a pop music video on his device in a remote Nyanungbin monastery. Mobile phones have only been made available to Burmese citizens in the past few years.  Previously, a SIM card cost a whopping 2000 USD.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Cataracts cloud the eyes of this Burmese man, photographed at the Shwe Myitzu floating Pagoda, Indawgyi

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Water buffalos bath in the mud on the bank of the Indawgyi Lake.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

The Irrawaddy River near Katha.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A farmer walks his cows to water on the Irrawaddy River near Katha. 

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Loading cargo during a 19 hour boat ride on the Irrawaddy, from Katha to Mandalay. 

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Fishermen on the Irrawaddy River, the county's largest river and most important waterway.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A man-powered merry go round in Mandalay: the operator spins the carousel by hand. 

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Street food vendor in a night market in Mandalay downtown.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A sunset in Bagan, the valley of temples. Almost 2000 of the 10,000 Buddhist temples that were built in the valley between the 11th and 13th century are still standing.   This makes Bagan one of the main tourist attractions in South East Asia. 

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A passenger on the train from Myitkyina in the Kachin State heading towards Mandalay. 

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Train journey from Myitkyina to Mandalay. The railway network dates back to the early 1900's.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

The road to Mrauk U in Rhakine state: a 22 hour road trip from Bagan.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

After a scorching day in Mrauk U, I stumbled across this lovely scene. A father and son washing/cooling their horse after a hard days work.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Kids playing soccer in front of a temple in Mrauk U.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A Buddha statue sits in the shade of a big tree.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A Burmese girl wearing Thanakha; a paste made of ground bark, used by many Burmese females for both sun protection and makeup.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Workers restoring Koe Thaung, the largest temple in Mrauk U, Myanmar. The name means "Temple of 90,000 Buddha Images". The temple was built between 1554 and 1556 by King Dikkha. It is most likely that Mrauk U will be developed as a tourist destination in the next few years.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A local Chin village school. The change of colour on the wall marks the level of water during the devastating 2015 floods.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Mrauk U, kid playing on the pier.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A woman collects water for the house in Mraek-U, Rakhine state in Myanmar. Water must be collected twice a day at both dawn and dusk, to be used for drinking, cooking and tea.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Tailors at work in the Mrauk U market. 

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A novice monk collecting alms at the entrance of a temple in Mrauk U

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A monk is seen enjoying his daily meal in a temple in Mrauk U.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A view of Mrauk U temples at sunset. Characterised by a distinctive architecture, Mrauk U temples are attracting increasing numbers of international travellers as well a local visitors from the nearby town of Sittwe.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A temple at night in Mrauk U.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A nun photographed in Mrauk U.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Daily life in Mrauk U.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A rickshaw driver poses for a portrait during a break. 

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A monk in a temple in Mrauk U.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Bamboo trade. Bamboo sticks are tied together  in a makeshift raft and sailed downstream for selling at the market.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Myitkyina,  the capital city of Kachin State in the remote north of the country.

 Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

A tailor at the Market in Mrauk U.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography

Long distance buses are used across Burma for both passengers and cargo.

Burma 2015 - Francesco Vicenzi Photography