Life in Tirana: Myanmar Adventures

Our travels in the countryside took us to 3 spots in Myanmar. We flew to each, no delays, $90 a flight and you even got some donuts and green sweet sandwiches on the flight.

First stop was Bagan.

This is an interesting place. In the mid 11th century a King reigning over his territory, was hearing about Buddhism in India and decided that his land was a religious place. He found a small white elephant that supposedly had special powers. He announced that wherever this elephant stopped to rest, he would build a magnificent pagoda. The elephant stopped 4 places and the king delivered. The bricks used were floated down from the north on the nearby river and crafts people added the gold and sculptural detail. The rich folks built big pagodas around the King's creations. Middle income somewhat more modest and even the poorest, built small testaments to Buddha in thanks for what they had OR what they wanted. For 150 years, until 1200, over 1700 of these were built. At that time, the reigning King was defeated by another from the north. The river ran dry, the plains had a drought and became too dry to grow crops so the people all left the area. It was only at the end of the 19th century that an explorer came upon these numerous and magnificent structures.

Some went by bike, buggy and others by horseback. I took the latter and there was precious little for a saddle!


Do you see a saddle???

Most people live in small compounds they call a monastery and thus have been protected from police brutality over the last century.

Washing dishes The containers above are their lunch pails with a compartment for rice, and two dishes.

Very common to take a siesta on this platform in the center of the community while kids play.


The gardener at our hotel


Family going to the Water Festival through several modes of transportation


Amazing landscape, peppered with pagodas

On to the second stop - Inley Lake, a wonderful shallow, large lake.

The region has a Venice like feel with its dependence on the water for community life.

From the airport to the lake we had to stop at the Red Mountain Winery and have some Sarah! Delicious.

Mountain road transport

These long boats became our transportation for the next 3 days.

Living on the water. Each house has a long, narrow row boat underneath.

Bath time on the water


Water highways

Washing dishes

These were lining the "highway"water route and made by children to celebrate the 2 week Festival of Light

So what is the festival of light?? It is celebrating the end of the rainy season (although we got some good downpours while we were there) and the beginning of winter. In every place we visited, each night there were people lighting multiple candles at the shrines, pouring water over the Buddha statues, and praying. By day there were parades and floats. We were lucky to be there for the final day.

People come in by the boat loads waiting for the parade and boat races


This gold pagoda is actually a float on the water. It brings the holy water to the pagoda for closing ceremonies

There are these outrageously long boats with maybe 70 men on each side. They have a unique way of rowing. Standing on one leg, they wrap their other leg around the oar.Thus they paddle with one arm and one leg.

This is a race between 2 boats. Look closely to see how they wrap their leg around the oar. Meanwhile there are people along the middle of the boat (of the 150 or so paddlers) that are madly bailing out the boat so it doesn't sink.

This is the inside of a good size house. There are no chairs or tables.

TVs are popular, sitting on the floor.

Cooking rice cakes in the ashes

The boys who wear the long skirts just hike them up as shorts to play ball

This is a display of evil to good as one travels to the next life

There were walls and walls of these Buddha dolls given by different people in countries all over the world to help restore this monastery

These are the evil bad guys asking to be redeemed by Buddha for their bad ways

This is the largest monastery in this region, crammed with these pagodas


When one won't do!

We were the first guests at this fabulous new hotel that also is an educational center training young people in hospitality. Clever touches and of course the use of flowers

Even the hair dryer to the left is decorated

This hotel of ours is built on the water. You can see how they put down bamboo poles and then bring in soil to raise crops for the restaurant.

Our room in the foreground


The first class to learn the art of hospitality

This woman is part of the Karen tribe, adding gold rings as one matures to create the long neck effect!

5 of the 6 of us

Woman spinning lotus thread

Women painting the lacquer bowls

Trying to learn the Buddha hand gestures

Fishermen on the lnley Lake

Good-bye to a special water experience.

Stop 3 is to the beach at Ngapali.

This was the R & R part of the trip (not that we could qualify for the status of "burnt out").
Lovely beach, fishing villages and continuing yummy food, beautifully presented.