23rd
April 2013
It is our
last day on The Road to Mandalay, and it is another reasonably early start.
Straight after breakfast we meet the bus at 7.30am to take us to the Mandalay
tourist jetty to catch a boat to Mingun. The jetty area is a hive of activity and things are pretty basic.
A local truck fires up ready to move some goods
Most cargo is moved by hand
Time for an early morning bath in the river
The boat
trip takes about an hour upstream, and is most enjoyable, as we take in the
sights of activity along the river. The boat is chartered for our group and not
everyone came, so there is only about 16 of us on the boat. The boat operators
take the opportunity to set up a table and pull out some local handicrafts in
the hope of snaring a dollar or two, and they do OK.
All sorts of river cruise boats are rafted up to the shore
All sorts of river cruise boats are rafted up to the shore
A shipment of logs coming down the river
On arrival
at Mingun we are met on the shore by the local taxi service, and the usual
enthusiastic group of ladies selling handicrafts.
We head off walking to see the first of the highlights of Mingun, which include, a huge unfinished brick pagoda, which was seriously damaged by earthquakes about 25 years ago. Apparently the King of the time wanted to build the Worlds’ biggest pagoda, but the construction team revolted and it was never completed.
We head off walking to see the first of the highlights of Mingun, which include, a huge unfinished brick pagoda, which was seriously damaged by earthquakes about 25 years ago. Apparently the King of the time wanted to build the Worlds’ biggest pagoda, but the construction team revolted and it was never completed.
Following
along the same theme, he also commissioned construction of the Worlds’ largest
ringing bell. This was completed and is now proudly displayed in its’ own
building in Mingun.
Finally we
then head off to see another pagoda, nicknamed the “Wedding Cake” pagoda. It
has a history similar to the Taj Mahal, in that was built as a monument to a
lost loved one.
It is then
a long walk back to the boat, past the remains of the Worlds’ largest temple
lions which were built to protect the pagoda.
The Worlds'largest ringing bell
Wedding Cake Pagoda
The Worlds'largest ringing bell
The Worlds largest temple lions bum
Wedding Cake Pagoda
View from the Wedding Cake Pagoda
We are back
at the boat just before lunch, so manage to clear the dust with a cold beer,
before lunch. It is very hot today (we were later told the max temp was 43.5
C).
A few sights from the village of Mingun
A well
deserved rest is taken after lunch before we are back in the bus at 3pm, to
head to the hills, Sagaing Hills to be precise. These are the hills on the
opposite side of the river to where we are berthed, and they are dotted with
religious monuments, with gold spires popping above the ground everywhere. At the
top of the hills are some very spectacular pagodas (we have become quite expert
on pagodas and can’t wait to see our last one)
On the way
to the Sagaing Hills we visit a pottery, where villagers still hand make the
water bowls that are still part of everyday life for many in Mandalay.
Still on
the way , we drop in to see a silversmith, making the usual bowls, trays etc.
It is pretty unimpressive compared to what we saw in Cambodia and it is a short
visit.
Embossing a silver bowl by hand
Almost at
our last Pagoda, we call in to a nunnery, to see how the nuns live.
Unfortunately, the nuns are not available for viewing. We were told they were
studying , but on the way home we saw them all over the streets going places.
But we did get see a little of their quarters.
Finally we
found ourselves at the large pagoda at the top of the hills, that has been our
view from the other side of the river since we have been in Mandalay.
You can see this pagoda from almost anywhere in Mandalay
As promised , the view is spectacular and well worth the trip to see it. We can see the “Road to Mandalay” at her berth on the other side of the river and most of the surrounds. The view highlights how busy the river port is, in particular, for the shipment and transshipment of logs from upriver. There is a road to China from Mandalay.
View from the Pagoda, Road to Mandalay in the centre of the picture
Having
enjoyed the 360 degree view from the pagoda, we returned to the ship for a great sunset and farewell dinner, as we leave
the ship first thing tomorrow morning to fly back to Yangon, and on to Kuala Lumpur,
where we will spend a few days before flying home.
Whilst
Mandalay is Myanmars’ second largest city, it is a stark contrast to Yangon, and
much more like the Myanmar we expected to see. Life is relatively simple,
development has not yet taken over, and no doubt it will grow and develop
substantially in years to come. Motor cycles are everywhere and the traffic
chaotic, unlike the almost planned order in Yangon.
The other
striking feature is the amount of money and resources poured into religious
monuments in what is still a poor country.
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