Mayanmar (Burma) Arrival

A short hour and twenty minute flight from Kunming brought us to Mandalay. Alot more motorbikes (gas) here and a lot fewer washrooms than in China where there was always one a stone-throw away! I thought sidewalks in Mexico were interesting but here if they do exist they are more dangerous than risking it on the road. Clearly an undeveloped country. 

We have been fortunate to see most of the major sites sharing taxis with other guests of our guesthouse.

Sunset on Mandalay Hill, Mahamuni Buddha Temple. With its almost 4 meter-tall Buddha (men line up to put gold leaf on it; women hand to male assistant to do😒). Traditional Burmese food tastes great.

On the fringes of city, Amarapura, a former capital of Burma is renowned for its 1.2 km teak U-Bein Bridge. Beer on the terrace overlooking it at sunset seemed like a fine alternative to more walking on a 200 year old crowded bridge without guard-rails.Earlier we watched hundreds of monks line up for their one meal of the day at 11 a.m.

The hill in the town of Sagaing south of Mandalay has terrific views of the Ayeyarwady River and gold and white pagodas scattered across the landscape. At the top is the U Min Thonze Pagoda features 43 Buddhas in a curved row.

Inwa (Ava) was also a former Burmese capital that lasted 300 years. Now a real backwater. 

Bottom left: our young gals from Hong Kong who shared a jam packed site seeing day. Right, well, just some beautifully garbed other tourists!