Sunday November 2, 2025
We figured Tom & Cathy had also
been upgraded since we saw them at the front desk, but they said they were told
they couldn’t move. So, the guide made sure they got upgraded to a larger room
this morning. Jason had contacted him after I contacted him to let him know we
weren’t being given what he had booked for us. The staff showed them a larger
room on the second floor, and they moved to that one.
Mandalay is the second-largest city of
Myanmar, located on the east bank of Irrawaddy River.
Our first stop this morning was Atumashi
Monastery and a quick look at Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace).
We were fortunate to be there when the
annual Robe Offering Ceremony. The gifts focus on essentials and spiritual
support which typically include food (rice, drinks), medicine, toiletries,
robes, sandals, alms bowls, and sometimes financial offerings (though monks
often live on donations rather than accepting cash directly) Myint Swe said
that was the one time of the year he missed being a monk. (over our days together,
he told us much about his family and his life growing up)
There were people from each region of Myanmar
in their native dress. They had fun posing for photos and even asked us to join
them for photos.
We then walked to our next destination,
and we came across a wedding. Myint Swe talked to them and they invited us to
join their feast, which we declined, but it was fun to watch the friends and
families outside the chapel.
We continued to Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book. In
case you were thinking it was just a statue of a really huge book, it’s not a
single bound volume. It’s 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddhist
Tripiṭaka (scriptures) on both sides of the tablet, each set within its own
shrine, a monumental project completed in 1868 by King Mindon. This unique
collection of stone tablets, known as the Maha Lawkamarazein or "World's
Biggest Book," is recognized by UNESCO for its historical and cultural
significance. The workmanship of this massive complex of Buddhism chambers and
pagoda was just staggering.
As we walked towards the Pagoda there
were ladies that approached us to paint our faces. They used Thanakha Paste,
which is made from grinding Limonia acidissima tree bark. A deep-rooted
tradition in Myanmar, it is used by all ages for beauty, sun defense, and as a
cultural symbol, especially prominent in Mandalay. It felt really cool and
creamy until it dried. (a bit tingly)
Myint Swe took us to Generation 66 Tea
to try their local soup and some tempura vegetables
We then went to see the gold-leaf
making process at a small factory.
We then went for a late lunch at Unique
Myanmar Restaurant for a spread of way too much food. Our itinerary said we
were to have lunch at Mingalabar Myanmar Restaurant which looked really good,
but oftentimes restaurants weren’t open or were damaged in the earthquake. He
did a great job of finding places for us to have lunch. For our two weeks with
him we always had way too much food ordered for us. He really wanted us to try
things and make sure there was something we might like to eat.
On the way to the bridge, we stopped to
see the art of marble carving. It was dusty and he offered us masks, but they
really weren’t needed.
We walked the length of the bridge and then climbed the wooden stairs down to where the boat was waiting for us. It was a beautiful sunset and a nice boat ride on the Irrawaddy River.
We had dinner at the hotel and then it was early to bed to be up at 4 o' clock in the morning to watch the "Face-Washing Ceremony" at Mahamuni Pagoda.
Photo album: Mandalay Day 1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sg1BtpSqxGjVwFco7
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