the roads maybe rough but the rocks are paved with gold

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Bago is a couple of hours south of Yangon and like many Burmese towns gold seems to be the predominant colour of the stuppas and Buddahs which adorn every corner. While some of this is just gold paint much of it is actual gold leaf which locals paste onto holy objects. One such holy object is Golden Rock which is a sweaty five hour uphill walk from a town called Kinpun.

Buddhists believe that the rock which teeters at the top of the mountain is supported by two of Buddahs hairs so local men adorn the rock with gold - while the women just look on from afar. With so much poverty and deprivation I have found it hard to accept gold being pasted onto rocks and other objects which are accorded significance.

However pasting rocks with gold is nothing when compared to the homage which is paid to a 5 metre long 116 year old snake who happily lives on 16 chickens a month and ignores the queues of locals who cover the snake with cash and presents. Locals believe that the snake is the reincarnated relation of a local monk - the snake has as much freedom as it likes and seems quite happy with the arrangement.

While I was assured that it was a Buddhist snake so harmless (although it has not yet embraced vegetarianism) my vote goes to the rock - at least it can't bite.

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Photos

time for repair
the highest stupa in Burma gets repainted every four years - i think the scaffolding adds something in itself

ingenious way to make money
The temples in Bago had various games with this one you had to throw your money into the boat and win yourself some good kama

slippery customer
Locals believe that this 116 year old snake is a reincarnated relative of a local monk. The snake has become a nat (which is a type of Burmese spirit) devotees come and give the snake money which is rapidly taken by its keeper!

men only
women are not allowed to touch golden rock so gaze on from afar