Mandalay

Page Down Page Up  Back to Thumbnails Myanmar Map List Myanmar Photos Page 2 of 14

Within minutes of our arrival, a monk introduced four of his friends and they appointed themselves our guides for the duration.  

Naing Lin, Bo Bo Dein, Khaing Lhaing Tun and Aye Chan Thu are all university students who come here every Sunday to practice their English and learn about the world beyond their borders.  They proved to be delightful companions.

The mirrored Sutaungpyai (wish granting) pagoda graces the top terrace.  It's surface is covered with silver and blue tiles which twinkle in the sunlight.  It has been restored many times during it's long history and plaques acknowledging gifts from benefactors around the world are fixed to the pillars and walls.

We stayed until the sun set and our 'guides' remained to see us safely down the steps.  I imagined it would be simply a matter of walking down flights of stairs but it proved to be quite challenging in the dark, at times we were walking up steps in order to go down.
Karaoke Night was only one of many interesting things to be seen on the way down.  Happy to avoid the 1729 steps in the heat of the day, we  missed out on the lower temples.  It was too dark to see them on the way down.  Next time I will walk up and risk the heat prostration.

At the bottom we were put into the hands of a friend who had access to his uncles Taxi,  he took us to a restaurant and returned to see us safely 'home'.
Page Down Page Up  Back to Thumbnails Myanmar Map List Myanmar Photos Page 2 of 14