Burma Yangon January 2013

[terry57]

Keeping busy and making money.

[terry57]

Giving the Buddha a quick touch up.

[terry57]

There are 4 separate entrances to the Pagoda, pics cannot do this place justice as once you walk passed those 2 figure heads you enter the belly of the beast. Its about a Half K walk inside a massive hallway before one reaches the Pagoda and inner court yard.

[terry57]

Ive just entered the hall, looking back down the road.

[terry57]

This hall way that leads up to the Pagoda is a work of art in its own right. Intricately carved wooden ceiling and carved art works decorating the walls. Amazing stuff. Long steep walk up.

[terry57]

Just keep on walking and one reaches the top eventually.

[terry57]

Ok, we have made the walk up payed $ 5 US to enter and are confronted by a massive court yard full of smaller Pagodas surrounded the main 100 meter high structure. The $5 entrance fee was worth every cent as the money goes back to maintain the structure. Sort of thing one must be there to get the experience same as Angkor Wat. In the late afternoon sun it gleamed.

[terry57]

A couple of Thai girls doing there thing. Many Thais here.

[terry57]

Pilgrims doing the thing.

[terry57]

Plenty of good stuff here to hold ones interest for a few hours even if one has visited every Temple in South East Asia.

[Ratchaburi]

Thanks Terry great thread mate

[terry57]

The main pagoda is surrounded by many smaller chedis covered in gold leaf. Spend a while scrapping that stuff off and one could make a nice wedge.

[terry57]

This dude was well engrossed in his meditation.

[natalie8]

Great stuff, Terry! I love the pagoda and your report on it. Keep 'em coming.

[pseudolus]

Great thread - but can we now assume that all the birds in Myanmar are now working in Thailand (got two crackers in my security team in the village). If not, pics? lol

[terry57]

Tour groups are big business in Burma, this lot where French, lots of them around at the main Tourist spots.

[terry57]

This lot where from Bangkok must be making there pilgrimage EH.

[terry57]

The large fella must get a start, big one he was.

[terry57]

I like this pic so in it goes.

[terry57]

This is the jewel in the crown, the 100 meter high Shwedagon Pagoda. Awesome sight and well worth the trip.

[terry57]

After a big 2nd day it was in the taxi and straight into the local bar up the road from our guest house. Once again only us and the locals. A brilliant way to end the day.

[terry57]

The owner told me he had draft stout on tap so it was lager out the window and into the black stuff. My favorite brew.Happy days.

[terry57]

Pub munchies Yangon style, looks a tad sussed but incredibly tasty. Ate a heap of that stuff when downing an ice cold beer.

[terry57]

Day 3 coming tomorrow.

[cdnski12]

WOW!! Clean public toilets ... I've never seen that, other than in Singapore! Great Threads. Keep the photos coming. You have convinced me to give Myanmar a go on my next SE Asian Trip.