Category: Bagan

Bagan: Overslept and a Crowded Sunset at Pyathada Paya

Post author By Ferdz
Post date February 2, 2012
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My sleep was so deep. It felt like only a second passed since my eyes closed until the moment I woke up. My senses were getting accustomed to the living world when I wondered why my alarm didn’t go off. I reached for my watch and was shocked to see it was already 4:30pm! I jumped off the bed and grabbed my things like there’s no tomorrow. I asked Mime to fetch me at the hotel at 3:30pm for out afternoon expedition at the Central plains including a sunset at Pyathada Paya, but an hour had already passed. So much for the planned itinerary for the afternoon, I haven’t even had my lunch yet.

Tags Burma, Heritage, Pagan, Paya, Sunset, Temples

Bagan Bagan Myanmar Myanmar Travel

Bagan: The Beauty of Ananda Pahto

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 30, 2012
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The konagamana Buddha facing east — The Konagamana Buddha facing east

There is one temple in Bagan which is highly recommended by guides and people there, it is Ananda Pahto, and there are good reasons why – it’s one of the largest, finest and most importantly, the most-preserved temple in Bagan. Coming from the road on the north plain this was the main temple on the east, outside the walls of Old Bagan. It’s very popular so the presence of the vendor stands leading to the Pahto’s main entrance is expected. Beyond them I marvelled at the beautiful white-washed temple with a golden corn-like stupa glimmering at the mid-day sun.

Tags Buddhism, Burma, Heritage, Pagan, Pahto, Structures, Temples

Bagan Bagan Myanmar Myanmar Travel

Bagan: A Money Scam and Pagodas on the Road to Old Bagan

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 27, 2012
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A glimpse at the impressive frescoes at Upali Thein

“Where are you from?” asked a pagoda watchman at Upali Thein. “I’m from the Philippines!” I replied slightly exasperated already from answering this question just on the third day in Myanmar or is it because I haven’t slept yet. “Oh Philip-Pines!” most people would pronounce it with the last syllable sounding similar to a “Pine” Tree. I proceeded to admire the beautiful frescoes inside this small ordination hall then suddenly the watchman spoke “My friend, maybe you can help me change this money, I can’t use them here” I looked back and saw in his hand a few peso bills amounting to 850 pesos. Surprised, I asked “Where did you get those?”

Tags Burma, Heritage, Pagan, Pagodas, Pahto, Paya, Structures, Thein

Bagan Bagan Myanmar Myanmar Travel

Bagan: Thanaka Lady and the People at Shwezigon Paya

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 16, 2012
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The thanaka layered faces of brothers at Shwezigon

There are more than 4400 temples in Bagan. Even staying here for more than a week, there’s a slim chance to see all of them. While there are must-see temples and charming unpopular ones, for me the memorable ones are those where I encountered interesting people that adds character to the payas. And early on my first day in Nyaung U, Shwezigon Paya was one of those memorable payas I visited in Bagan.

Tags Buddhism, Burma, Culture, Pagan, Pagodas, Paya, People

Bagan Bagan Myanmar Myanmar Travel

Bagan: May Kha Lar and Chasing Sunrise at Thetyapho Paya

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 12, 2012
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Do I try to sleep or do I go out explore? Its 5am in the morning and somehow doing some chores has dampened the sleepiness I was feeling earlier. I just arrived from my Bus ride from Yangon and checked in at May Kha Lar Guest House in Nyaung U, Bagan and the first thing I did was do the laundry so it would dry out for the day. I lay for a few minutes on the bed but I couldn’t sleep so I took my camera bag and tripod and went out in the early morning blue.

Tags Burma, Pagan, Pagodas, Paya, Sleep, Sunrise

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In Transit: Bus Journey from Yangon to Nyaung U, Bagan

Post author By Ferdz
Post date January 9, 2012
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Leaves in front of the bus for safe journey

I was already prepared for the worst for the 10+ hours Bus journey to Bagan from Yangon. Oh I’ve read so many horror stories of old buses breaking down, air-conditioning giving up mid-way the journey or even some bumpy roads that would shake you up awake. But, fortunate to say, it wasn’t even that close. Changes here were for the better and the journey was much more comfortable and easier than I expected. I guess it was too comfortable that I had to push my seatmate, who’s sleeping like oil, a few times as he constantly leans on my side of the seat.

Tags Burma, Bus, Transit, Transportation