Chris and I have just returned from a fantastic holiday in Burma. Tourism is still in its infancy there and we wish to share this fascinating, beautiful country with you through some of our favourite photos. Obviously we don’t want to bore you with pictures of us, but we did include one just for good measure. I’ve tried to include a caption under each photo – enjoy!
Sunset over the huge Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon: the colour of the gilded stupa turned a lovely shade of red in the sunset. You cannot wear shoes or socks in Buddhist temples in Myanmar so we got quite used to wandering around pagodas in bare feet.
Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the ‘world’s biggest book’. 729 small white stupas each holding a text inscribed marble slab and together they present the entire 15 books of the Tripitaka.
The U Bein wooden bridge across the Taungthanan Lake is the world’s largest teak bridge with 1060 poles. During the height of the rainy season, the lake rises several feet and laps just below the floor planks. Chris showing his best side!
A relaxing day cruising along the Ayeyarwady River to Bagan.
Very accurate decorative pot bashing.
Ananda Temple.
Amarapura is well known for traditional silk weaving.
A different type of sunblock. The Burmese apply Thanakha to their faces; a sandalwood-like log that is ground to a paste and smeared on the skin as a sun-block, cosmetic and moisturiser. I think I’ll stick to my usual suncream although the kiddies did look very cute.
Mahaghandayon Monastery is the home to over 1,000 monks, this image shows them lining up for lunch clutching their alms bowls.
Bagan is an ancient site with 2,000 temples and even more waiting to be discovered.
We climbed to the summit of one of the largest temples, a memorable sight watching the sunset over the dry, dusty landscape dotted with pagodas.
Inle is the home to Burma’s remarkable ‘leg rowing’ fisherman. A unique method of rowing that leaves their hands free to drop their conical nets over the passing fish.
A beautiful lake, surrounded by mountains and inhabited by colourful hill tribes. Dotted around the lake are the stilt-house villages and floating gardens of the Intha tribe.
The problems of a school football pitch surrounded by water.
Winding through the canals, the jungle grows denser and denser, we finally arrive at the village of Indein. We were greeted by such a colourful market and so many happy, smiling faces, crowded with locals in traditional dress.
Shipping hazard in Indein.
We both thoroughly enjoyed the placid waters of Inle Lake, the only means of transport around this region is by longtail boats.
Arriving at our hotel by longtail boat, talk about arriving in style!
Indein is a 16th century temple site with 1054 crumbling stupas choked in greenery, one of our favourite places.
We spent the last few days at Ngapali Beach.
Amazing tree patterns in the sand.
Whilst I was enjoying walking along the beach, Chris was taking photos of red ghost crabs. Each to their own, as they say!
