Diversions: Air Superiority

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Asia's two most famous temple sites—Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Burma's Bagan—each have their partisans. Some say that Angkor's location amid dense foliage lends its ruins a heightened sense of mystery and romance. Others argue that the dry plain of Bagan provides a superior experience because there is no jungle to obstruct the view of its thousands of temples and pagodas. Given that operators at both places offer views from hot-air balloons, the debate can also be conducted in the air. The Angkor balloon is tethered 1 km away from the actual landmark, because Angkor's status as a World Heritage Site means that flights cannot pass over it. However, the Bagan balloon, pictured here, flies freely over the spires and stupas (balloonsoverbagan.com). It is able to do so because Bagan has been refused World Heritage status as a result of ham-fisted attempts made to restore some of its ancient structures with modern materials. Other developments, including an unsightly viewing tower and a nearby golf course, have also been controversial. Perhaps it's just as well that their impact is diminished when seen from the sky. Bagan's beauty is undeniable during these spectacular, 45-minute flights.