Best of Myanmar 14 day Intrepid tour visiting Yangon, Mount Popa, Irrawaddy River cruise, Mandalay, Kalaw, Inle Lake then returning to Yangon. In 1989, the military government changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar. An amazing tour and a fantastic tour group.
Yangon street scenePostcard seller. Thanaka is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of the culture of Myanmar, seen commonly applied to the face and sometimes the arms of women and girls, and is also used to a lesser extent by men and boys.Street protest in Yangon, a sign of things to come (the civil war commenced in 2021) Group photo at Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon. The temple is full of worshippers praying and lighting candles. Candles are an age old traditional part of Buddhist rituals. In conjunction with incense and flowers, they are placed in front of Buddhist shrines or statues and images of the Buddha as a mark of respect. They are often accompanied by offerings of food and drink. The light of the burning candle flame represents the light of the Buddha’s teachings. Candles and incense also evoke the state of impermanence and change. Their light can also be said to symbolize the enlightenment of the BuddhaHtilominio temple – Bagan. This large temple was built by King Nantaungmya in 1218 and is 46 metres tall.A tourist poses in front of Htilominlo temple – BaganA local street vendor at Htilominlo temple – BaganFresh produce markets at Bagan. Cheroot cigars are very popular in Myanmar.Shwezigon Pagoda, a Buddhist temple located in Nyaung-U, a town near Bagan. Construction of the Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta, the founder of the Pagan Dynasty and was completed in 1102 AD during the reign of his son King Kyansittha.Plenty of tourists at the Shwesandaw Pagoda in Bagan getting ready to view the sunset. The pagoda’s bell rises from two octagonal bases which top the five square terraces. This was the first monument in Bagan to feature stairways leading from the square bottom terraces to the round base of the pagoda itself.Monks at the Shwesandaw Pagoda – Bagan. It is the tallest pagoda in Bagan (100 metres) and was built by King Anawrahta in 1057.Bagan sunset from the Shwesandaw PagodaGroup dinner at a local village – BaganHot air balloons make their way over the temples and stupas of Bagan at sunriseWe have lift off on our hot air balloon ride over BaganHot air balloon over BaganShinbyu is a novitiation ceremony in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism, referring to the celebrations marking the sāmaṇera (novitiate) monastic ordination of a boy under the age of 20. Novitiation ceremony – BaganGroup photo at the summit of Mount Popa. A day excursion from Bagan. Mount Popa is best known as a pilgrimage site, with numerous Nat (spirit) temples and relic sites atop the mountain.Balancing act at the summit of Mount Popa. Mount Popa is a volcano 1,518m above sea level, located 50km southeast of Bagan, in the Pegu Range.Popa Taungkalat Monastery. The monastery at Taungkalat (meaning ‘Pedestal Hill’) is famous for being home to 37 nats (spirits), which are represented by statues at the base of the volcanic outcrop. There are 777 steps to the monastery at the top, where you will find a 360 degree panorama and a labyrinth of shrines to explore. We didn’t have time to climb this one.Irrawaddy River cruise for 2 days – departing Bagan and travelling up-river to MandalaySunrise on the riverSagaing with numerous Buddhist monasteries is an important religious and monastic centre, is the former capital of the Sagaing Region of Myanmar. The pagodas and monasteries crowd the numerous hills along the ridge running parallel to the river.The Umin Thonze Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa, located in the Sagaing Hills, Myanmar. The pagoda was founded by King Tarabya I of Sagaing. It was renovated in 1643 and in 1723. In 1838, the pagoda was essentially destroyed by a major earthquake. King Pagan Min rebuilt the pagoda, completing it in 1847.Mandalay Hill, Mandalay, site of the Su Taung Pyei (literally wish-fulfilling) Pagoda and fantastic panoramic views of Mandalay. Quite a few steps to climb in order to get to the Pagoda & viewing platform, 1,729 apparently.Nun at Mandalay HillWorshippers apply gold leaf to the Buddha image at Mahamuni temple – southwest of Mandalay. Only men can apply the gold leaf to the Buddha is it slowly gets bigger. Buddhism is a huge part of the culture in many Southeast Asian countries, and in particular Myanmar, with over 90% of the population counting themselves as followers of the Buddha and his teachings.Novitiation Ceremony at Mahamuni templePaying respects to Buddha inside the pagodaWorkers making marble images of Buddha – MandalayMonks on their daily alms-round. Collecting food is a discipline practiced by ordained monks. They only eat in the morning, no meals after midday, just water. Maha Gandhayon monastery – Mandalay.Myawaddy Nunnery where novice Nuns study – MandalayU Bein bridge – the 1.2 km bridge was built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the worldTaungthaman Lake, a very popular spot for tourists, not easy getting access to the boats, luckily our guide knew the owner. Boat ride on Taungthaman Lake with Jasmin, Jacky & Alex. The lake is near Amarapura, which was a former capital of Myanmar, and is now a township of Mandalay.Sunset at U Bein bridgePindaya Limestone Caves – Shan StateThe Pindaya limestone caves are located at Pindaya, Shan State. The caves are a Buddhist pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction located on a limestone ridge in the Myelat region. The area is part of the ancestral homeland of the Danu people.Great views from the caves entrance overlooking the town of PindayaTourists can only visit one of the many caves at Pindaya, where there are thousands of images of Buddha inside the caves.Welcome to Kalaw. Kalaw has a laid back atmosphere, refreshing climate and scenic views. Many of Kalaw’s original colonial-era building remain and it is known as Myanmar’s trekking mecca.Chinese made truckSchool children – Kalaw. The children’s home is funded by the Rural Development Society, allowing children from remote villages to attend the school at Kalaw. I was taking photos of the scenery just outside the school when the girl in the middle with the soccer ball came up and starting talking to me and invited me to see the school and meet the people managing the centre.Pyae Pyae Shan noodles restaurant – KalawThe restaurant staffTrekking in Kalaw. Children greet us as we pass through local villages.Kalaw trek – we arrive at Pein Ne Bin, a Palaung hill-tribe villageKalaw trek – Pein Ne Bin village 1,300mKalaw trekLong boat ride at Inle LakeJasmin on the floating vegetable gardens on Inle Lake. Be warned, your feet get wet. I was more worried about falling through and getting my expensive camera wet.Minethauk fresh produce market – Inle LakePhaung Daw Oo Pagoda – Inle Lake. The Pagoda houses five small gilded images of Buddha, which have been covered in gold leaf to the point that their original forms can not be seen. Only men are permitted to place gold leaf on the images.Red Mountain Winery – Inle Lake. A great afternoon sampling wines and enjoying lunch.Jackie, Aleks & Rie at the Red Mountain Winery – Inle Lake. The superb Muscat fortified wine was the pick of the bunch.We arrive at Shwe Inn Dein temple complex after a long boat ride – Inle LakeShwe Inn Dein temple complex – Inle Lake, which contains 1,045 Stupas.Crazy Tuk Tuk taxi driver outside the HuPin Hotel – Inle LakeBridget, Thomas, Michael & Glenn at the Viewpoint Shan restaurant – Inle Lake. A superb up-market restaurant, bookings essential. I enjoyed braised goat leg with roasted red pepper, Shan rice in banana leaf and stir-fried veges with soya.Farewell dinner at Feel restaurant in Yangon
