Yangon: we arrive at night - the Swedagon Pagode shines
Yangon: we arrive at night - the Swedagon Pagode shines
Swedagon Pagoda in the morning
Swedagon Pagoda in the morning
it's Sunday and very busy
it's Sunday and very busy
you can buy birds ...
you can buy birds ...
... and release them for good karma
... and release them for good karma
inside the Pagoda-complex
inside the Pagoda-complex
all 5-6 years the gold of the Pagoda is renewed, it is scaffolded ...
all 5-6 years the gold of the Pagoda is renewed, it is scaffolded ...
you can buy gold-plates ...
you can buy gold-plates ...
... after a ceremony, they are put in the little wagon ...
... after a ceremony, they are put in the little wagon ...
... and pulled up to the stupa
... and pulled up to the stupa
the weight of the gold-plates is estimated to be 60 tons
the weight of the gold-plates is estimated to be 60 tons
other than in Thailand, where the ceremonial flowers are ...
other than in Thailand, where the ceremonial flowers are ...
... re-used, they are thrown away in Myanmar
... re-used, they are thrown away in Myanmar
Through the week and in the evenings it get's more quiet in the Swedagon
Through the week and in the evenings it get's more quiet in the Swedagon
the walkway to the Pagoda is empty
the walkway to the Pagoda is empty
also for the monks wer are a welcoming foto-sujet
also for the monks wer are a welcoming foto-sujet
Yangon railway-station in the early morning
Yangon railway-station in the early morning
in Kyaikto we want to visit the golden rock
in Kyaikto we want to visit the golden rock
... also here, the gold get's renewed
... also here, the gold get's renewed
it's one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar
it's one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar
the bus-ride up and down the hill is scary ...
the bus-ride up and down the hill is scary ...
... we are not the only ones to be happy to be down again
... we are not the only ones to be happy to be down again
Betelnut chewing is very common in Myanmar ...
Betelnut chewing is very common in Myanmar ...
... tobacco, nut and spices ...
... tobacco, nut and spices ...
... are wrapped in Pan-leaves ...
... are wrapped in Pan-leaves ...
... and are chewed for hours ...
... and are chewed for hours ...
... the red juice is spitted out from time to time
... the red juice is spitted out from time to time
off we go ...
off we go ...
... to Hpa-An
... to Hpa-An
sunrise over the lake
sunrise over the lake
we rent a motorbike to explore the surroundings
we rent a motorbike to explore the surroundings
the monkeys have the full attention of these young nuns
the monkeys have the full attention of these young nuns
there are a lot of caves ...
there are a lot of caves ...
... with countless Buddhas
... with countless Buddhas
we continue to Mawlamyine
we continue to Mawlamyine
sunrise over Mawlamyine
sunrise over Mawlamyine
it's never too early for a group-photo :-)
it's never too early for a group-photo :-)
also here, a motorbike is convenient
also here, a motorbike is convenient
they say, it's the biggest reclining Buddha of the world
they say, it's the biggest reclining Buddha of the world
Sunset in Mawlamyine
Sunset in Mawlamyine
to buy tickets is always an adventure
to buy tickets is always an adventure
you need to find the right office ...
you need to find the right office ...
... with the person in charge not sleeping ;-)
... with the person in charge not sleeping ;-)
early morning at the train-station
early morning at the train-station
food is sold in the train
food is sold in the train
Strett in Bago at dusk
Strett in Bago at dusk
dawn over Bago
dawn over Bago
- and sunrise
- and sunrise
Welcome to Bagan, the Eldorado of Pagodas- and balloons
Welcome to Bagan, the Eldorado of Pagodas- and balloons
the big pagodas are closed for climbing...
the big pagodas are closed for climbing...
... we find small ones with hidden entry
... we find small ones with hidden entry
the stairways are mostly stiff and narrow ...
the stairways are mostly stiff and narrow ...
... the view is definitely worth it
... the view is definitely worth it
for dawn we are ready and installed
for dawn we are ready and installed
the first "sell" of the day is worshipped
the first "sell" of the day is worshipped
every morning is magnificent
every morning is magnificent
all over Myanmar we see clay pots - public drinking-water
all over Myanmar we see clay pots - public drinking-water
bye bye Bagan
bye bye Bagan
hello Inle lake
hello Inle lake
it's market day in Nyaung-Shwe
it's market day in Nyaung-Shwe
early morning on the lake
early morning on the lake
the sun rises behind the mountains
the sun rises behind the mountains
mornings are coldt, thankful we warm ourselves at the fireplace ...
mornings are coldt, thankful we warm ourselves at the fireplace ...
... before we have a look at the weaving center
... before we have a look at the weaving center
a monastery-school near Inle lake
a monastery-school near Inle lake
monks during school-hours
monks during school-hours

Myanmar - we are amazed!! The country of lovely people, plenty Pagodas, Buddha-statues and for us - of sunrises. In no other country we got up early so many times, to capture the morning glory. A highlight was Bagan, where we had the chance to experience a sunrise on top of a Pagoda all alone with the view of the valley of Pagodas. Amazing!!

Myanmar

19.01-13.02.2019