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Published: December 1st 2016
AMARAPURA
The magnificent U-Bein Bridge!Boarded the Irrawaddy Explorer to have lunch and then took an afternoon tour to a Silk Factory, a gold leaf workshop and then to Amarapura the Royal Capital (1783) to visit U-Bein Bridge at sunset, this is shaping up to be a fabulous trip. The U-Bein Bridge is all teak and the wood was all taken from the deconstructed old palace, it is absolutely magnificent, we had all climbed into little sampans, 4 per boat, and were rowed out to get a prime position for sunset and of course some of the crew from the boat were in another boat coming around to each boat with glasses of champagne, not too shabby!!! Then back to the boat for cocktail hour in the Writers Lounge, definitely not a diet boat this one, staff came around with lovely hors d'hoeuvres then to the dining room for 4 course dinner (thankfully small serves), our breakfasts and lunches are buffet style, food so far has been awesome. After dinner up to the Sun Deck for a cultural performance, could have really hit the sack but with only 26 on board you feel bad if you don't attend everything!
Great nights sleep then set sail
U-BEIN BRIDGE
Our boat captain!!! this am to Mingun a little village upstream - more pagodas - there are so many different types, shapes and sizes it is fascinating! People are so, so friendly and don't ask for anything - I know that sounds weird but I don't think the tourists have absolutely ruined this place yet - the people just walk around with you and want to speak English and learn about you. This village started to build a huge big brick pagoda for the King of the time and it took 20 years just to get what you see today - then it was abandoned and with a few earthquakes over time it has huge cracks and some of it is crumbling. The bell in the village is the largest working bell in the world - it is over 12 feet high, then onto a huge big white pagoda in the centre of the village. A great walking tour this morning for two hours.
This afternoon moored up on the bank of the river on an Island called Ava, very primative boys get off the boat in their gumboots and sort out somewhere to tie up, whilst we watched all the ladies
U-BEIN BRIDGE
Lots of walkers of the village flogging and washing their clothes and bathing in the river....lots of chatter and laughter...obviously a social event. Then horse and carts to two very different monasteries, passing through lush countryside with rice fields, cattle, pigs, horses etc...felt like going back in time....very enjoyable except for the cracked back...first stop to a 200 year old teak monastery...Bagaya Kyaung...so much beautiful teak wood here unbelievable...then to a brick one known as Me Nu Ok Kyaung monastery built by a previous Queen....and its the people who make your day....they are gorgeous!
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Norma
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Amarapura
Wonderful description of your day .did you walk over that bridge ? ? . Looked narrow to me ,don't think I could have walked on itv,I'd be in the water ...? ? ... I'm sure . Yes ! People make any holiday ,& isn't it nice to meet friendly folk . People were very friendly when I went to Norfolk Isl. yes ! Hope Jsnet has free time ,love to see your parents too .,You can contact Jsnet ,anytime suits me . Thanks again ,great blog . Cheers. Norma x x