Thursday November 13, 2025
Since we opted out of the sunrise
visit of the rock, we had a great breakfast at the hotel after watching the sunset from our room. We handed over our backpacks
to the porters to take to the truck. This time we sat farther back in the truck
which seemed to suit everyone better. (except for the knees and arms in our backs)
The truck ride down was rough but
seemed easier than the trip up. Getting in was tough due to the deep step down
to get in. Getting out was even worse. They pulled up to the step ladder thing
but anyone not in the first row was expected to crawl over each row of seats to
get out. We told the people behind us (just a couple of rows) they could go
ahead of us, but they didn’t want to walk over the rows of seats either. Myint
Swe had them pull the truck to another one so we could get out. He also had the
driver grab our backpacks, so we didn’t have to maneuver getting out with them.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the “monk
and the nun” I didn’t buy at the little shop below the restaurant we at in a
couple of days ago and asked Myint Swe if we could stop there on the way back
to the hotel.
On the way back to Yangon, we stopped in
the ancient Mon capital Bago for a short visit. We did a short walking tour
passing through their local market. One lady was bathing her child and when she
saw us, she turned the tub to show us her baby and wanted us to take a photo,
after she patted down her own hair so she would look good for a photo. We
continue to be amazed by how proud people are to show us their ways of life.
We then made a stop at Shwetharlyaung
Reclining Buddha Image believed built in 994 during the reign of Mon King
Migedipa. It is 180 feet long and 52 feet high and the Buddha was given a giant
mosaic pillow in 1930. It was absolutely stunning, and they looked like gem adorned
boxes.
The murals depict the legend of a Pagan king that ruled the lands where corruption and violence were prevalent. He had a son who fell in love with a Buddhist Mon girl when he was out in the forest hunting. They became lovers. He promised her that she could continue practicing Buddhism after their marriage. Upon hearing this, the king became extremely angry and ordered for both to be killed. He forced his son's new bride to ask for forgiveness from the Pagon idols. When she did so, the giant idol cracked and broke. Overwhelmed with fear, the king built a Buddha statue, and his people embraced Buddhism.
Next up was lunch and one of my
favorites. It was traditional Chinese food, and everything was just so tasty.
Myint Swe requested that they serve our food, so they stood at the ready. He
also had them standing there to fan us to cool and keep a few flies away. We
said that it was not necessary. Upon entering and leaving they came running
with sun umbrellas to and from the vehicles. (and once when I went out just to
get a photo of the restaurant)
Then we stopped at a pottery
village to see some clay pots being made. There were many shops in the area with many
colorful pots. Of course, due to size and weight we couldn’t buy any, but Myint
Swe bought some to support them.
Once we reached Yangon, we stopped at
Monsoon Restaurant to get the carvings of a monk and a nun. The owner came
running downstairs with glasses of water for all of us.
Back to hotel, they delivered our left
luggage to our room, and we had the evening to ourselves. We went back to the
mall next door and ate at the same French Chicken place for their yummy pot
pies. Then, we needed to get repacked to fly to Bangkok on our way to Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
photo album: Bago to Yangon https://photos.app.goo.gl/rKSYhAMvr9Ft6PVB7
No comments:
Post a Comment