Home ---- TRIP: Myanmar (Burma) 2012

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We want to travel to as many places as possible in Myanmar (Burma), however, the roads and infrastructure here is still undeveloped in most of the country. Therefore, we will utilize internal air flights, river boats, and small buses throughout the next 19 days.

2 In this picture we are landing in Yangon with the Irrawaddy River twisting below us.

3 The first morning from the roof top breakfast at the Asia Plaza Hotel we get our first views of Yangon. Yangon has a population of over four million and continues to be the largest city in the country and the most important commercial center.

4 From another view on the rooftop we see the central Yangon train station originally built by the British in 1877. At the end of our trip when we have a couple of post trip days on our own we plan to use this train to explore Yangon and its suburbs. In the center distance we can see the Shwedagon Pagoda.

5 Here is a zoom in shot of the Shwedagon Pagoda, which we will be visiting tomorrow.

6 We also see a beautiful Christian church from the rooftop. This city contains Christian churches, Muslim mosques, and other places of worship. However, by far most of the population is Buddhist and in our stay in Myanmar I have never seen more stupas and pagodas in all my travels in S. E. Asia.

7 We go exploring on our own meeting people and taking pictures of the typical Yangon lifestyle.

8 During our walk around town we go below an overpass in order to get a closer look at the Myanmar trains.

9 This is a maternity hospital.

10 Its dinner time and we find a very small Burmese restaurant. Unfortunately the menu is in Burmese and no one seems to speak English. Usually in situations like this we look at what other people are eating and simply point at what we like, but it is early and we were the only ones there. After trying to converse with the owner to no avail, this young man, Chen, came up and asked if he could help. Chen pointed out a couple of items that we might be interested in which would not be too hot. It never fails that someone in a crowd will overhear your conversations and offer help. Thank you Chen.

11 Wow, what a dinner. On the left are rice flour and onion tops wrapped in banana leaves. To the right is fermented pork and rice, also wrapped in leaves. In the center is our chicken soup with chicken legs (wings are optional). At the top is a fried yellow bean curd, at the bottom are pork skins. Everything was delicious, but I had to stay away from some of the garnishes as they were very spicy.

12 We had a choice of chicken legs or wings and chose legs. Had no idea that meant feet here in Myanmar.

13 And they were yummy. The menu is on the wall. Notice the Burmese script, not at all like Chinese characters.

14 Next morning we are finished with breakfast and on our little bus at 7:30am to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda. Later in the day we will visit other parts of Yangon then head to the airport in the afternoon to fly to Mandalay.

15 Shwedagon Pagoda is a 325 foot high guilded pagoda complex containing 8 strands of Buddhas hair. You will hear the word Shwe used extensively in this album, in English it means golden.

16 The complex is extensive and gorgeous with many temples and stupas surrounding the pagoda. This was the first stupa or pagoda we visited where we had to take our shoes and socks off. If we had known ahead of time how many holy sites we would be visiting we would have worn flip flops.

17 We are blessed with beautiful weather and a beautiful blue sky. While it is still hot and humid, Myanmar is much cooler than Cambodia.

18 The Shwedagon Pagoda has a beautiful Buddha in the reclining thoughtful position.

19 A charming Burmese girl wearing the traditional Thanaka on her face. Thanaka is a paste from the bark of a tree and used for sunscreen and cosmetic purposes.

20 We visit Kandawgyi Lake and get a good view of the Royal Barge which was used to carry the king from place to place.