Blogs from Mawlamyine, Southern Burma, Burma, Asia

L’idée du voyage est de longer la bande étroite de sud-est du Myanmar et de rejoindre la Thaïlande à son extrémité. C’est une zone peu visitée du fait de son éloignement et des conditions de transport parfois difficiles au Myanmar. Il semble bien que Hpa An cherche à se développer touristiquement. Si la ville elle-même a un attrait moyen, elle est une bonne base pour se disperser dans sa campagne magnifique. De grands projets de rénovation de ses quais sont en place et vont certainement voir ouvrir des hébergements modernes. Aujourd’hui c’est un grand chantier. Surtout ne pas réserver dans un hôtel à proximité des quais. Le bus a l’air de vouloir faire un record de distance avec un seul plein d’essence, ou bien la seconde ne s’enclenche pas, on avance à un rythme de tortue. ... read more

Hpa-An (Sprich: Panan) Dieses kleine Städtchen im Südlichen Teil Burmas, im Staat "Kayin", ist bekannt für seine vielen Höhlen in den Karsthügeln, die alle mit Buddha-Statuen befüllt sind. Nach einem Moped-Ausflug zu ein paar dieser Höhlen, und in die abseits gelegenen kleinen Dörfer, gabs das größte Spektakel aber am Abend. Aus einer der Höhlen schwärmen nach Sonnenuntergang hunderttausende Fledermäuse heraus. Das Spektakel dauert 10 Minuten, und es sieht nicht so aus, als würde die Fledermausdichte jemals geringer werden. count the buddhas :-) scary bridge on a motorbike Bats Out of Hell ... read more

The entrance to the meditation hall of Au Pak Monastery. My visit to Mawlamyine ended with a side trip to Au Pak Monastery. Au Pak Monastery is located on a mountain range 10 miles outside of Mawlamyine. I spent four day there living the life of a Buddhist monks. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget. Below is a daily schedule at Au Pak monastery: 3:30 am Wake up. 4:00 am - 5:30 am Group mediation in the meditation hall. 5:30 am - 7:00 am Breakfast. 7:00 am - 7:30 am Clean living quarter. 7:30 am - 9:00 am Group meditation in the meditation hall. 9:00 am - 10:00 am Questions ... read more

Southern Myanmar We were all excited to be back in this fascinating country, and relieved to find that tourism has not yet made its mark. The only noticeable changes in Yangon were the odd ATM (including one within the Shwedogan Pagoda Complex!) and a half empty shopping mall in the city centre. But outside of Yangon we found the same friendly faces going about their way of life and unique culture (and the same battered vehicles) as if preserved in a time capsule. We were heading south on this second visit to Myanmar, away from the more popular tourist destinations of the north, into the previously off limits States of Mon and Kayin, close to the borders with a Thailand and Cambodia. With the exception of Mount Kyaiktiyo or Golden Rock there are no other specific ... read more

Friend Jenny and I set out for Khai Yon Cave, a short distance from Mawlamyine. I thought we'd see the usual Buddha filled alcove, maybe smell some bat guano, and make a hasty retreat. We ended up staying far longer than we anticipated. Part of the complex is being developed, which means a lot of cement is being poured. But what delighted us was the opportunity to see a real artist at work. He was creating an elaborate set of life size figures in cement. They were coming to life before our very eyes. Even though the figures were all grey from their cement surface, they already had eyelashes, as though this was one of the most important things to do first. Most were handless, and one female figure was emerging from the ground. Another figure ... read more