Mandy: 15th – 18th October
Mandalay is the second largest city in Burma, and the former capital. The city is the economic and religious hub of upper Myanmar and is centred around the Royal Palace which had a large moat around it…. and their army within it! We stayed in a non tourstist area with no street lighting, open sewer pavements with big broken flag stones on top (similar to Bali) and muddy roads, left from the rainy season I guess. Even the touristic part of the town was aimed at Asian tourists not us, which was good. Like I said when we arrived, it was different…. but we loved it.
Half of Burma’s monks reside in Mandalay and the surrounding areas and we saw them the minute we arrived until the minute we left. The female monks wore pink robes and the male monks wore burgundy robes. They range in age from toddlers to older and presumably wiser monks. (smile)
There were breathtaking views from Mandalay Hill and Sagaing Hill of the many Temples, Pagaodas, Stupas and Monasteries. Photos don’t really show how wonderful it was here but it was amazing. (I’ve been banned from putting them all on here anyway) The people in Mandalay were mostly poor but friendly and happy.
Male monks enjoying the view
Lost count at about 35 Buddhas inside of that semi circle!
Can’t believe Glen asked this Monk and the Burmese girl (Below) for their photos! Glad he did though (smile)
People ask us if they can take our photos here though so I don’t know why I am too shy to ask them.
We visited a small weaving factory. The girls were making traditional silk and cotton material. Again no salesman there, we were just able to walk in around watching them work. Can you imagine that happening over in the UK! They wouldn’t even get in to our office toilet without a key fob and thumb scan lol!
I bet this girl was delighted to have us gauping at her as she worked!
(It was just us two walking around no one else)
She made me feel and look like a giant.
U Bain Teak bridge at sunset
Loved the picture of the lady monk crossing the teak bridge xo
The cotton reel shot love it! X
Looks wonderful there Mandy xx
Looks so beautiful
Beautiful photos! X