Kyaukme to Mandalay, then to Monywa

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On December 24, 2006, we took the bus from Kyaukme to Mandalay.

Ann took the train to Pyin U Lwin (which we did not visit).

The bus ride took 6 hours (6 am to 12 pm) and was very scenic. It reminded me of Zong Dian of Yunnan (where it was named as Shangrila).

After reaching Mandalay, we went back to our guesthouse to retrieve our big packs, and we went to the bus station to get on a bus to Monywa.

Our destination is Bagan. Most people take the boat from Mandalay to Bagan. We wanted to do different and will take the bus to Monywa, then Pakoku, then take the boat to Bagan.

Monywa (pronounced Mon-yua) is east of Mandalay. It is three hours from Mandalay. By the time our bus reached Monywa, it was dark and we checked into our guesthouse.

At a Chinese restaurant near the guesthouse, we met an older Chinese gentleman, who lives in Monywa with his father, his sons and his grandchildren.

He helped us arranged for a driver for a half-day tour for the next day.

We have not realized how useful knowing a little bit of Mandarin can be. In the past few days (from Mandalay, Kyaukme and Monywa, we had spoken Mandarin to either get directions or to get other information/help.

Tidbits -- during our whole month in Burma, Gary has been asked a million times if he was Japanese, even by a few Japanese tourists.

The next day, our driver showed up and took us to visit the Thanboddhay temples.
http://www.tourismmyanmar.com/monywa.htm

After our visit, we took the bus to Pakkoku

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Photos

2006-12-24 07-40-58
The road from Kyaukme to Mandalay is about 165 Km, takes 6 hours.

2006-12-24 08-48-20
Common scene in a tea shop. Mostly men.

2006-12-24 09-46-25
Left over from the British colonial days?

2006-12-24 10-23-59
Left over from the British colonial days?

2006-12-24 10-24-40
There seems to be a lot of nuns in Pyin U Lwin.

2006-12-24 12-38-30
One of Mandalay's many bus terminals.

2006-12-24 15-13-15
Leaving Mandalay on the way to Monywa.

2006-12-24 19-53-21
Inside Shwe Sie Khon Pagoda. We arrived Monywa just before dusk. This Pagoda is just right next to the hotel we stay in.

2006-12-24 19-57-58
Shwe Sie Khon Pagoda.

2006-12-25 08-05-44
Every town in Myanmar has a watch tower. Luckily, not every chime works.

2006-12-25 08-16-19
These taxi drivers insist I take photos of them.

2006-12-25 08-45-07
The Thanboddhay temples.

2006-12-25 08-45-46
The Thanboddhay temples is said to have 100,000 Buddha images if you also count the little ones on all the stupda like this one.

2006-12-25 08-56-17
A fish pond.

2006-12-25 09-00-22
A closeup view of the fish pond.

2006-12-25 09-09-22
Werewolf in Myanmar.

2006-12-25 09-31-40
Inside the Thanboddhay temple.

2006-12-25 10-29-50
Going up the watch tower.

2006-12-25 10-52-03
The main entrance of the Thanboddhay temples.

2006-12-25 10-57-52
Thanboddhay temples from the outside.