October 1, 2013
Bagan, Myanmar
4:45 AM sharp, Mr. Win picks us up. The flight is 1 hour 15 minutes by Bagan Airlines. Arrive Bagan around 7:30AM. For the people in the know, later in October, hot air ballon ride is an enlightening experience. The 7 days river cruise is the way to really see the Buddism Golden Kindom. Butterfield and Robinson has been organizing luxury cycling tours from Mandaley to Bagan for years. Even though we did not know, we are still fortunate to have a fast look.
People told us it has been raining everyday for past several days. Today is the first sunny day. How lucky we are! A new Toyota van is our car today. After 30 minutes ride, we arrive to this vast green field with thousands of pagodas, stupas, temples standing still scattered all over as far as eye can see. Quite and mystic. We are speechless and can only stare.
Bagan is the old Kindom of the first Myanmar Empire. It was believed that King Anawyahta commanded the buildings of pagodas and stupas for people to follow Buddism teaching. 55 Kings ruled Bagan from 1 to 13 century AD. Around 1300 AD, the Kindom was abandoned and moved south to escape from Mongol's invasion. The King assigned each pagoda to a keeper and allows them to live inside the structure and harvest around the nearby fields. This practice is alive till this day. The rice, peanuts, and vegetation fields are part of this cultural heritage region. We are looking at ancient history right in front of our eyes. In 2006, Myanmar government started moving people out of the historical structures for preservation and renovation purposes. People were given only 2 months notice to move to government build housing, however, they can continue to farm their fields as was passed on to them by generations.
We first visit the only golden pagoda in Bagan. These pagodas are mainly for people to worship and learning about Buddism not for tourists. We do not see many other tourists around. We are early enough today to listen to the chanting practice.
Some have either inner or outter stairs to climb up. These steps are big and almost vertical. Climbing down is much scarier. But it is really worthy of the effort.
We can sit and stare all day long. Unbelievable blessing is upon us for just being here and sitting here.
Run into a local boy who came for offering with his mother. He cannot speak since birth but has the brightest smile.
Most Pagodas are still active and have Buddah statues for people to give offerings and worship. Statutes are either renovated or being renovated carefully to keep their original forms.
After lunch by the Irrawaddy River, we are pretty exhausted. By chance, I asked if there is a place for foot massage around. Our guide said one of the two resorts in site has a spa. We stopped by and got an hour of badly needed rest. Now, recharged and ready to go.
Around larger Stupas, there are shops for tourists. These two older Padaung ladies wearing their traditional neck rings weaving and selling their works. They are from Kayan Lahwi tribe east of Myanmar. This tradition is now only as an option for young girls .
This old lady selling wooden turtles and gave us a bright smile.
A young mother and her baby girl.
We drove around more and took more photos from different spots. This 20 square miles site has 3122 documented ancient structures. The time passed by too fast. We need to head back to airport to take the last fligh back to Yangon.
Back in town around 8 PM. Looking at weather in Vietnam, the pilots decided to leave at 8 AM from hotel even though we have a short leg tomorrow. We ended the day by taking a last good look at the golden glittering Shwedagon Pagoda from our hotel room and reflecting about all the blessing we had for the past few days. One more wish, no false alarm tonight.
Tomorrow, we fly to Hochiminh City.
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Such incredible photos! Such places, preserved in time, are rare in this world. I never knew anything about Myamar and now I know a little more. Thank you.
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