The Ayeyarwady River and Bagan

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The river is a main thoroughfare in Burma flowing from north of Mandalay down through Yangon to the delta...2170 km. As it is winter (?) there and the dry season the water levels are down significantly and that impacts travel . People who choose to travel from Yangon north have to catch a bus for part of the journey . It will get drier still as the rains won't come until May .

Bagan is an ancient citystate that was founded in the 800's but it's glory days began in the early 11C and continued for 250yrs . What is left is the remnants of 13000 religious structures ... 2200 remain in various states of repair , reconstuction and piles of brick vaguely resembling a (?) ... A fascinating place which is THE tourist locale in Burma but due to less than "thoughtful" reconstruction it has not gained UNESCO Heritage status . Still it is quite an amazing place

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Photos

Sunrise
We travelled by boat that left Mandaly at 7am .Cool and quiet on the river .

@10am
My seafaring companion

Dry Season
As you can see the waterlevel is down around 12'

Ananda Market
Such a cutey . He was sharing his popcorn with a friend

Public Transit
People baskets , building supplies ...a full vehicle

Quite spectacular ... I don't remember the name though . We did a n all day tour of @13 temples and I can't attach the names to the pictures anymore

sun going down
They really are remarkable structures

On the cart
I am going to say that this 2 mi stretch of road is the BEST road in Myanmar . The tourist industry is forcing improvements in the infastructure

Sunset
Do enlarge this photo . You will see the spires and towers in every direction .The haze is from a combination of smoke and dust . People cook , warm themselves and get rid of garbage with fires.

Awesome
It is the dry season and the dust , a fine powdery dust permeates everything

Construction varieties
The white really did stand out for me .. They were the exception .

Be Kind to Animals
or The Moon . A vegetarian restaurant where I had the amazing tomato-peanut curry . Good food .

Corn stalks
They will be used to feed livestock

Comments

[R&C]

Memories
Are they starting to blur a bit? You saw so much. Such an experience. Lots to keep you warm on these cold days in SK. Good for you. love

[Lynn]

Beautiful pictures. Love the temples, especially at dusk. You could become a tour guide.

[Dorina]

So peaceful!
I have enjoyed your blog and your pictures Pam. I will look forward to hearing more about it when we are together in April.

[Mary Anne Kraemer]

Great photos
Love that we can see what you are describing ,it is a wonderful trip from what I can see..you must be very pleased with all you have seen and done. Thanks for sharing it.

[El Eterno Caminante]

It's truly amazing
Just wanted to say amazing picture!! I can't wait to get there this fall!! Happy travels!