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Published: April 18th 2006
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(Dustin)
People always seem to comment on the buses and roads around Myanmar just saying they are TERRIBLE. Well even up until Bagan the roads weren't TOO horrible, mostly like versions of our logging roads back in Canada only they were paved. The one thing that proved to be the most miserable was in fact the buses themselves. On the way from Pyay to Bagan we got stuck in some sand and they spun the wheels right down to the wheel wells then after an hour or two digging out and driving another 5 minutes we found that because of sinking so deep in the sand that something else was wrecked and the bus couldn't continue. So atleast we got to watch the sun rise laying on a paved section of the road (it was amazingly more comfortable than the packed bus).
The people were great though and the operator of the bus made sure we knew where to get off and all that (after finding a new one in some nearby town). Its was pretty amazing looking out the window once the sun had come up because its pretty much a desert out there, and I wasn't expecting that
after seeing pictures of Inle lake beforehand. I guess really I felt more like I was in a desert because we are on the verge of the hot season right now.
After being awake the whole night we found a hotel and napped accidentally for around 10 hours in a room that we hadn't intended on getting AC in (but turns out someone must have flipped the switch from the desk). We slept the day away and I woke up for an hour before knocking back out for the rest of what was then the night.
We're not really much of morning people but we were up at 6 and on bikes soon after heading out towards the temples or what we thought was the general direction. It was amazing though as we rode because all the town faded away and we started to see small temples and climbed up one and the view was spectacular because we didn't quite know what to expect. It turns out we were on one of the smaller temple roofs and could look across the plains over the trees to the others that were larger and more ornate than the one we
Praying to Buddha
Early morning devotion stumbled across. From there on out it was just a trail of temple to temple each being more interesting than the last and the views different from each. It was like stepping through a picture back in time because it seemed like it was only Kev and I or a couple locals at every place we stopped. We took a break and sped back in time for breakfast before heading out to the back area where surprisingly there was a hotel right among the ruins.....I guess thats ok there, who knew?
Kev got a flat tire on his bike and had to ride forever to a repair place because we were out in the middle of nowhere. It was a pretty neat day though in the end......lots of sun and dust and heat and if you're ever in the area about this time of the year bring more than one bottle of water with you when you leave to explore, we found out the hard way. Another thing I don't understand is how the locals ride these roads on those simple bikes EVERY day....I mean we rode for hours and we were feeling it when we sat down on
some hard seats for supper. Bagan was totally worth a look though, its cool enough that people who deem themselves "Templed out" still probably would find it worth a look because these temples are old and there is something like 3000 of them right close there. After the day, we just relaxed the night away with some Animal Planet that came in on the TV and got to bed so we wouldn't be miserable on the early bus the next day. I hope the pictures turn out as neat as some of the scenes were, it was a blast so enjoy.
Cheers,
Dustin
(Kev)
Bagan was like stepping into a picture. I had researched the area before, and seen some of the incredible places, but when I stepped onto the scene myself it blew me away. Bagan has that ancient feel about it, while I was there I was apart of a different century, a century of kings, and temples, and unknown places to explore.
We got up for sunrise and with some not so new bikes…we hit the road. Riding down the dirt paths to the various temples was an experience all alone, and although
it was early morning, I was quickly awakened by the dramatic scenery unfolding before me. Being in Southeast Asia it is easy to get pagoda or templed out, but this place is special. It isn’t one pagoda or one temple that sets it apart, it’s the whole scene, in its height there were over three thousand pagodas and temples here!
In the early morning we had the first couple temples all to ourselves… the ambiance was not destroyed by the flash and ruckus of fellow tourists. We were free to climb and explore, and I was amazed at the freedom we had in this regard at what could very easily be a world heritage site.
After our early morning we went back to our hostel for a roof top breakfast. We had a good view of the bustle of the street bellow, and it was here that I took the black and white picture “turning back the clock” the city itself had an old west feel about it, so the black and white fit it well. After breakfast we watched a little animal planet…before we set out again in the mid day heat.
I think the heat
saved us from the tourists once again because as we biked out along the dusty, hot roads, the only people we ran into were locals. We escaped the heat by exploring random temples, and then climbed to the top of them when the sun lost some of its power. Bagan retains some of its old glory, and the glimpse I was given into it, for me was a worthwhile travel back in time.
tell next time
~Kev
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Daryl
non-member comment
Wow
Man, you guys both have a way with words. I could really feel it when you were describing what it's like to travel back in time. Keep up the good work!