The markets in Myanmar were a real highlight for us, not for a tourist souvenirs but for simply viewing the local way of life. The dazzling array of fresh produce puts our local markets and supermarkets to shame. These photos … Continue reading Produce Market near Bagan, Myanmar
I often say how much I love gardening, I could watch someone do it for hours … But I know stuff all about it. I did like taking pics of some of the pretty flowers we saw in Myanmar though, … Continue reading Flowers of Myanmar
At our hotel at Inle Lake, just along the path, past the rooms, was a small set of stairs and a pagoda. This wasn’t a tourist frequented place, and was very much a “locals” place. When we had an hour free from sightseeing … Continue reading A local’s Pagoda – Inle Lake
I’m starting to think Myanmar has a bit of a complex. A number of places we visited boasted about being The World’s Largest/Longest/Biggest/Heaviest etc. So not surprisingly the U Bein Teak Bridge near Mandalay is apparently the world’s longest and oldest … Continue reading U Bein Teak Bridge – The world’s longest & oldest Teak Bridge – Amarapura, Myanmar
At the top of a steep hill overlooking Mandalay is the Su Taung Pyi Pagoda. I have often joked that I wish these places would put in escalators and low and behold, here, they have! Many people, seemed to be … Continue reading Thank Buddha for escalators at Su Taung Pyi Pagoda, Mandalay Hill, Myanmar
Near Mandalay Hill is the historic, wooden Shwenandaw Monastery. Built in traditional Myanmar style, how this old wooden building has survived to this day, I can’t fathom. The intricate and delicate carvings were astonishing, but the old wood just gave the … Continue reading Shwenandaw Monastery near Mandalay, Myanmar
Around 70kms from Mandalay in the hill town of Pyin U Lwin is the National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens. Its 177 hectares and at a 1000 metre elevation which means throughout the year, its much cooler so a very popular place for the locals … Continue reading National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens near Mandalay, Myanmar
The Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay is often known as the World’s largest book. Now in my world, a book is a object you hold in your hand and flick pages, virtual or otherwise. I wouldn’t have to put the book … Continue reading Kuthodaw Pagoda – The World’s Largest Book – Mandalay, Myanmar
About 10kms along the Ayeyarwady River from Mandalay is the town of Mingun. One of the first things you see upon approach from the river is the massive unfinished brick pagoda. The Mingun Pagoda is also known as Mingun Pahtodawgyi. It was … Continue reading Mingun Pagoda – the World’s Biggest Pile of Bricks! (near Mandalay, Myanmar)
Hsinbyume Pagoda or Myatheindan Pagoda is a dazzling white pagoda in the township of Mingun. It was very quiet and peaceful when we visited, and I’m afraid our crappy camera didn’t do it justice. It was so bright, that most … Continue reading Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun (& take your sunglasses!) – near Mandalay, Myanmar
Apparently up until the year 2000, the Mingun Bell was the World’s Largest Ringing Bell, but that honour now goes to one at the Foquan Temple in Henan, China. Regardless, at 90 tonnes, this is an very large piece of metal. … Continue reading Mingun Bell (not) the World’s Largest Ringing Bell – near Mandalay, Myanmar
Mahamuni Buddha Temple, also known as Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay is a major pilgrimage site with a fascinating history. The Buddha image is huge and growing… say what? And its not due to eating too many burgers so let me explain! Every … Continue reading “Super Size Me” Myanmar Style at the Mahamuni Buddha Temple
Unique to Mandalay in Myanmar is Gold Leaf production. We were given the chance to briefly visit a Gold Leaf Workshop. Creation of the gold leaf is very much a manual process, going back to ancient times. These men, shown … Continue reading Gold Leaf Workshop (my back aches just watching) – Mandalay, Myanmar
I’ll keep this short, its just a bunch of photos of some of the buildings we saw while walking around in downtown Yangon. Some colonial, some not. Plus the Fire station, Hindu Temple, Buddist Pagoda, Mosque and many more. Also … Continue reading Colonial Downtown Yangon, Myanmar (photo heavy)
In Yangon is one of the largest reclining Buddha’s in the world. It measures 16m high (approximately 6 stories) and 65m long. The Buddha is beautiful, with a white porcelain face and blue eyeshadow. Particularly lovely, in my opinion, are … Continue reading Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda & Reclining Buddha, Yangon, Myanmar
14 Weeks Worth of Socks 