The next morning, we have breakfast at the inn
Tumeric rice with fried onions, fritters and coffee. Yummy!
The reading area inside the Inn where you can chill out with a coffee
The side gate of the inn leads to this gravel pavement where many monks pass through
This time, we set off by the open air taxi, also called Mazada. Something like the Tuk Tuk in Thailand, it was quite an experience but definitely not enjoyable ride as the Mandalay streets are extremely dusty (more dusty than I imagined). I could hardly breathe if I did not cover my nose and had to keep my eyes closed much of the time! Also, the fare turns out higher than the air conditioned taxi. But if you are travelling a short distance, you can try it just for kicks.
A Mazada undergoing some repair work
We make a stop at a gold leaf making shop. These leaves are pure gold and are pasted on the Buddha statue at the Mahamuni Pagoda as offerings.
We then carry on to the Mahamuni Pagoda.
It is said that in 554 B.C., Gautama Buddha visited the city of Arakan to spread his Buddhist teachings. King Sanda Thuriya of Arakan was so moved by his teachings that he requested that an image was cast of Gautama Buddha. After looking at his own lifelike image, he breathed upon it and it became the exact likeness of the Mahamuni. As he stated that the image would represent his true image for the next 5000 years, the Mahamuni Buddha (meaning "Great Sage") image in the temple has become a central part of the lives of the Myanmese.
Entrance to the Mahamuni Pagoda
The praying area for women
Gold leaves being pasted on the Mahamuni image as offerings. Only men can enter this area
Our next destination is the Sandamuni Paya (also known as Sandamani Paya). It has the largest iron Buddha and is characterised by the whitewashed ancillary stupas on the grounds. It was built as a memorial to King Mindon's younger half-brother, the Crown Prince Kanaung, who had helped him seize power from Pagan Min in 1853.
Once again, there is lots of climbing involved. Take your time and rest along the way if you need to as the paranomic view from the top is breath-taking.
The good thing about the dusty mazada ride is that you get to take photos like this. Can you see how dusty it is!
We arrive at the foot of the hill on which sits the Sandamuni Pagoda
Begin the climb up the uneven steps. Admire the view that gets better and better as you go higher
The young monks are really mischievous, running ahead of you and setting traps for you along the way. They stringed rubber bands together and used it to block our path. It was like an obstacle course. Look at their up to no good faces!
Ahh.... view from the top
Breath-taking!
The golden stupa at the top.
More steps to climb for an even better view
It doesn't look like it but it was very very hot. The sun was blazing.
We proceed to Innwa (also know as Ava), an ancient imperial capital from the 1300s to 1800s. Its name means "mouth of the Lake", reflecting its geographical location at the mouth of lakes. Today, it is an abandoned city after complete destruction by a few major earthquakes in 1839. The ruins that have never been restored still remain, and we make a day trip there to witness the traces of this lost city's former grandeur.
On the way to Innwa: a rare touch of modernity in Mandalay
Girl with thanaka (a yellowish-white paste made from ground bark) on her face. She is really bright and can speak simple English learnt from tourists. It is very common for girls and women in Myanmar to apply this natural sunblock on their faces and go about their daily activities.
We need to take a boat to Innwa
There are no cars in Innwa, only horse carriages
Much needed pineapple juice
The ancient public bath that you usually only get to see in history textbooks
We head to the Old Watchtower
The Old Watchtower that withstood the earthquakes
Climb up the watchtower for a view of the old city
We then head to the Silk Weaving Workshop. Silk weaving is one of the main professions of the Amarapura people and is a famous cottage industry in Myanmar. The industry still uses ancient wood weaving equipement, some filled with cobwebs. The workshop is very noisy with the clanging of wooden machines, but the resulting weaves are beautiful and intricate and bursting with color.
Working in pairs
We head to the U Bein Bridge at the Taungthaman Lake near Amarapura to catch the sunset. It is the oldest and longest teak bridge in the world at 1.2km long and was built from teakwood reclaimed from the former royal palace in Innwa. There are 1,086 pillars that stretch from the shore and in the past was an important passageway for the locals.
The beginning of sunset
Start turning back as the sun sets as it becomes pitch dark quickly and there are no lights
