Burma was a colonially imposed name ( for ease of pronunciation ) derived from the largest ethnic population of the Bama tribe . Changed by the military government in 1989 from Burma to Myanmar, much of the international community agreed to recognize the name. Closed to tourism for many years, this beguiling country has only recently welcomed travelers, and still retains a high level of exotic allure.
Some interesting facts and culture about Myanmar:
The chalky swirls you see on the cheeks of women and children are caused by thanaka, a cosmetic paste made from the bark of selected trees. It is said to keep skin smooth and protect against sun damage.
The Water Festival, Thingyan, is a big festival to usher the New Year from April 14-16. Thousands take to the streets for a huge water fight with buckets pistols everything anything anything to squirt water from 10-6 is allied and legal.
Myanmar was part of the British Empire from the mid-19th century. It was also occupied by Japan during the Second World War before gaining independence in 1948.
Myanmar is Diverse..Like 135 Types of Ethnic Groups Diverse
Home to over 135 different types of ethnic groups.
Our trip started in Yangon and we went to Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake. We spent a total of 10 days, I think 12 would have been better. Each city offered us a different and unique glimpse of this wonderful country. Since we landed and took off from Yangon, I’ll cover Yangon at the end.
Myanmar offers an array of experiences the top four, Yangon Bagan,Mandalay and Inlelake are also called “the golden Kite of Burma Trail” because they reflect modern day Myanmar while giving you an insight into the past.
BAGAN – Designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site
A smaller but detailed version of Angkor Wat, The pagodas of Bagan Or one of Asia’s most impressive archaeological sites. The city dates back to early second century BC and was once home to over 130,000 pagodas and religious structures. Today, About 2200 of them have stood the test of time.
Ananda Temple
Built in 1091, Ananda Temple was fully restored after an earthquake in 1975. The spires were guilded in 1990 for the 900th anniversary of the temple.
Temple is huge with long and decorated hallways
SHWEZIGON PAGODA – ONE Of THE MOST SACRED PAGODA IN BAGAN
Shwezigon Pagoda was built in the 11th century . It marked the first royal endorsement of the 37 nat (spirits), a central focus of Burmese religion before the arrival of Buddhism. It has more than 30,000 copper plates that cover the pagoda, donated by local, national and international visitors to Shwezigon.
A Temple Topped with a Pyatthat Roof next to Shwezigon Pagoda.
Bells very important in Buddhism , The ring of the bell can represent the heavenly enlightened voice of the Buddha teaching the dharma and can also be used as a call for protection and as a way to ward off evil spirits.
Pic at one of the literally zillion pagodas
Sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River was beautiful
Mount Popa
Mount Popa is an iconic Myanmar postcard sight: a sacred monastery, with stupas glistening gold, perched atop an extinct volcano.
To me it seemed like a castle straight out of a fairytale!!!!!
Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar. Mandalay serves as the cultural centre of Myanmar and is home to several Buddhist monasteries and exquisite examples of Myanmar masonry.
Maha Muni Pagoda
The Mahamuni Pagoda, or Mahamuni Buddha temple, built in 1785, is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
To pay respect to the Buddha image, male devotees apply gold leaf to the image, but to my dismay, women are not allowed anywhere close to the shrine. As a result, the Mahamuni Buddha is covered with a thick layer of gold leaf of about 15 centimetres, which has distorted the shape of the image.
Khmer bronze images in the temple courtyard contains 6 large bronze images that were taken from Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The Mandalay Palace is the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy Was constructed between 1857 and 1859. named after the then viceroy of India. Throughout the British colonial era It was occupied by the military as even parts of it today. Much of the palace compound was destroyed during World War II by allied bombing . A replica of the palace was rebuilt in the 1990s.
Kuthodaw Pagoda ——-the world’s largest book” 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings.
Each slab or page is inscribed on either side and complex has 729 such slabs and 1458 pages
Kyauktawgyi Buddha Temple
The figure was sculpted from a single block of pale green marble
*U Min Thonze Cave Temple *
The temple had 30 entrances to the semicircular gallery that houses 45 Buddha images. The number 30 may be a reference to 30 variants of the 10 paramitas (Buddhist codes of conduct ) while 45 may stand for the number of years the Buddha preached following his first sermon at Sarnath until his parinirvana.
Beautiful scenic view
Marionette Workshop
Shwenandaw Monastery -Golden Teak Monastery
All teak monastery originally part of the Royal Palace
Mahagandayon Monastery
It is a prominent monastic college to see and understand monks’ education . Here is accommodation for thousands of monks to study strict religious 227 steps required of the monks.
We were lucky to be there to see thousands of old ,Middleage and young Monks Eat their second meal at 10 AM. First meal is at 5 AM. Very common for Bobby’s families to send their young boys and girls to a monastery/convent For 3 to 6 months as part of their growing up education.
Beautiful Monastery built by the queen for one single senior monk
Inle Lake
The Inle Lake region is one of Myanmar’s most beautiful and breathtaking destinations. Picture a vast, serene lake – 13.5 miles long and 7 miles wide – fringed by marshes and floating gardens, where stilt-house villages and Buddhist temples rise above the water, and fisher folk propel their boats along via their unique technique of leg-rowing.
our hotel – Stilted cottages on the lake
Taxi boat
Local market. Held on one day of the week at various places. Don’t miss a real gold jewelry counter in the middle of clothes and knickknacks street food and God knows what else
The women with Distinctive headgear in the second photograph belong to the Pa-O ethnic group
Paduang Women
Women of the Kayan Lahwi tribe are well known for wearing neck rings, brass coils that are placed around the neck, appearing to lengthen it. Girls first start to wear rings when they are around 5 years old. Over the years, the coil is replaced by a longer one and more turns are added.
The belief is the longer the neck, the more beautiful the woman. It also protected them from tiger Attacks Who attacked the victims Necks. The coils do not make the necks longer but push down The collarbone thereby giving the visual appearance of a longer neck.
Indein Village
Indein is a small village West of Inle Lake, known for its weekly daymarket and two groups of ancient pagodas.
The village is reached by boat through the Inn Thein creek, a long narrow canal vis a scenic 8 kilometer boat ride.
The head and the base of the boat the statue was damaged and broken by burglars For the jewels and gold.
Floating Farms
Farming on Inle Lake is unique – farmers grow tomatoes and other horticultural crops on masses of floating roots on top of the lake. These “floating gardens” are made of water hyacinth tubers heaped with sediment to form small floating islands. Eggplant, squash, and string beans are grown on the islands, but tomatoes are the primary crop, since they are the most lucrative. Farmers grow two seasons of tomatoes every year And supply it all over the country
Pindaya Caves
The story goes that seven princesses were forced to take refuge in the cave, but were sealed in by a giant spider’s web. They were eventually saved by a prince who killed the spider.
The Pindaya cave extends for about 490 feet along a well-worn path. It is known for its interior which contains over 8,000 images of Buddha. Between the images are also a number of small pagodas as well as stalagmites and stalactites.
The Buddha images are in different styles, representing the various eras in which they were made. Many are gold plated, others are made from teak wood, marble, bronze or other material. Many are very small, some are life size.
And now Saving Yangonfor the last ……….
Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma). A mix of British colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhist pagodas define its skyline.
Shwedagon Paya
One of Buddhism’s most sacred sites, the 326ft zedi (stupa) here is adorned with 27 metric tons of gold leaf, the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond and is believed to enshrine strands of the Gautama Buddha’s hair as well as relics of three former buddhas.
Four entrance stairways lead to the main terrace.
It is clearly one of the wonders of the religious world. Shwedagon Pagoda is a repository of the best in Myanmar heritage – architecture, sculpture and arts. The Shwedagon Pagoda consists hundreds colorful temples, stupas, and statues that reflects the architectural era spanning almost a 2,500 years
All the above pictures are late evening and night
Tuesday corner reflects the day you were born. Incidentally I was born on Tuesday and we visited the pagoda on a Tuesday!!! Lucky me!!!!!
Bogyoke Aung San Market (formerly Scott’s Market) is a major bazaar , the 2000+ stalls market is a major tourist destination, dominated by antique, Burmese handicraft and jewellery shops, art galleries, and clothing stores. Also a popular black market location to exchange currency.
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda
is known for its enormous 65 meters long Reclining Buddha image. The highly revered image is housed in a large shed North of Kandawgyi Lake.
The reclining Buddha has a peaceful look and beautiful eyes, which are mosaic with glass.
The soles of the feet contain 108 segments in red and gold colors that show images representing the 108 lakshanas or auspicious characteristics of the Buddha.
That’s how we spent 10 glorious days in Myanmar. I certainly enjoyed my stay and as I said before I got more than I expected.
