Enjoyed your trip report. We went to Myanmar in 2005 and it leaves an indelible impression on those who visit. Arriving in yangon my husband remarked 200 miles and 200 years ago from Bangkok. The people were so strong spiritual and resilient given all they have gone through. There is so much respect for learning and education We'd like to return but I'm not sure all the change will be for the better.
Some good reading is thant myint u grandson of former UN secy General U thant who writes beautifully weaving history and current events and the physical and geopolitical of a country between India and China. For fiction read Amitav Ghosh The Glass Palace
There aren't many places like this.