bagan

Our bus left Aung Mingalar bus station in Yangon at 1800 and arrived in Nyaung-U town at 0330. Along the way, we were given one 'proper' toilet stop and eating. Yes, there were local music videos in Myanmar long-journey bus which were surprisingly played in considerate level of sound and usually ended before midnight. English language movies were also screened with English subtitles some more. However, the bus was really a freezer with one by one getting colder and colder as our trip went on. 

Our guesthouse in Bagan was booked by our Yangon guesthouse through telephone call when we were in Yangon - free of charge. Our bus ticket to Inle lake the following day were purchased at the Bagan bus station. It seemed like the tickets were selling like hot cakes. Our horsecart driver even jested that previously, there were only 30 visitors to Bagan in a year, now the same number is in a week.  

The moment we stepped down from the bus, we were surrounded by drivers offering transport. As we were not sure where our guesthouse is, we went on a horsecart for 2000 kyats. Later on we discovered that our guesthouse is quite near Shwezigon and the bus station. The guesthouse let us in to refresh ourselves. Negotiation with the horsecart driver resulted in 27000 kyats for three from sunrise till sunset.

In the wee hour, we were whisked off to Shwe San Daw to catch the sunrise. It was dark, almost no streetlight, the only lights were coming from our horsecart's 'headlights' and other oncoming vehicle. Tilting our head and looking up the stars were so bright, appearing all over the canvas of the dark sky.

Given a torchlight and the direction of the east, we scrambled up the temple till to the top level, holding tightly to the handrail erected on one side of the stairs. The chilling wind attacked us and barely could we find cover. It wasn't long before others started arriving to join us.

Too bad to say, it wasn't such a spectacular sunrise. Lucyriver was not able to shot a prototype of Bagan photo shown and requested by someone back at home. No mist, no hot-air balloons.

The descend was harder than the ascend. Lucyriver told Lucyriver not to look down, just hold on to the rail and get the hell down.

Only on our way back to the guesthouse did Lucyriver spotted the hot-air balloons, mostly starting to come down. It wasn't in the least comfortable state or was it, for Wee and Lucyriver to sit in a backward direction in the cart. We held on tightly to prevent ourselves from slipping down or being thrown out of the cart.

A line of monks at the side of the road as our cart passed by at 0700. 

We resumed our day trip after shower and breakfast. It was already 0900, way passed the targeted time although it was not really hot, well at least no sweat at all, but more to dusty. Horsecarts are the common mode of travel in Bagan and one may also opt to cycle. However cycling needs to be very cautious as vehicles are known to honk and overtake all the time.

Bagan landscape in painting mode.

Htilominlo 

Souvenir stall outside Htilominlo

Wondering what's behind each of the wooden doors. One of the sides of the building out in the compound of Ananda Temple. 

Ananda Temple

The four standing Buddhas in Ananda. Lucyriver had not specifically noticed which and which face north, south, east and west. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananda_Temple

With reference to the above source, then clockwise from top left it should be; south, east, west and north.

A window with a view, can't remember what temple this is.

Gosh, also not sure what these two are. Very lazy want to look up for information. If anyone knows, please inform.

Mahabodhi Temple

A very large sitting Buddha in Manuha Temple.

The giant reclining Buddha in Manuha Temple.

Children homecoming after school as we came out of the temple.

The horsecart driver brought us to a less crowded temple for sunset. Darn, again did not take notice of the name. It's a very squarish building where one needs to walk the path of wild weeds on both sides from the main road and then climb a flight of dark stairs to go up to the rooftop.

A couple or two were already there. A few children too. We took our spot facing the sun. Later, we were joined by a few more including a sandpainting artist, who said he sometimes comes up here during sunset, but definitely not sunrise, to 'introduce' his paintings. That explained the mysterious small stones found scattering on the roof which was earlier used by a few boys for playing.

This is the last picture taken before the battery totally went dead. Darn again, the yolk had not even been devoured yet.

The next morning we went walking around Nyaung-U town. We were told it was Buddha day so the main market or most markets were closed. Nevertheless, we still walked up to the centre of the town, taking in the morning sights of children going to schools and adults with their daily activities.

Those flowers must be for prayers.

The flower seller reminded Lucyriver of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. 

Another Eliza Doolittle.

A convenient store

To our delight, we stumbled upon a market between shops. It was the common morning market where the fruits, meat and vegetables are found. It was by no mean a quiet market. In some lanes, people were brushing shoulder to shoulder.

Thanaka wood

Gradually we strolled further into the lanes of houses but did not go deeper. It was a quiet residential with a school at the end of the road. It was still school-going time in December. The school children have their school holidays in summer.

Cat guard

Only two of them in the house.

Making cold drinks

Vegetables, vegetables and vegetables.

A father laughing tremendously playing with his son.

The life cycle of betel leaves

Later in the afternoon, we walked to Shwezigon. There were souvenir stalls adjacent to the pagoda. The ground in the pagoda was already a bit burning to the feet. Still, the golden stupa was so enticing that the heat was nothing compared to it.

A very cute girl eating cubes of watermelon in Shwezigon.

As we were sitting at the verandah of our guesthouse waiting for our bus to Nyaungshwe, we heard commotion at the street. Then, we realised that there was a parade, could be due to Buddha day. All people, young and old from all walk of life, came out to the street. It was truly a perfect ambience for some shots. All targets were so engrossed watching the shows that they hardly noticed the camera.

There were the world-currently-famous 'gangnam style' performed by teenagers and kids, dancing and singing as well as money giveaway.'