Typically tourists will start in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, but this trip ended in Yangon. The reality? A big city with a big pagoda and one huge Buddha. But one must see it, as well as a couple other sites, just so you won’t have to go there again.
Let’s start with the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home of the famous reclining Buddha and the largest in Myanmar. And trust me…there are tons of Buddhas in Myanmar. No doubt, I went searching and found them.
Just to give you an idea of the size…the eyelashes are a foot long. This is one big Buddha.
Then on to the 2,500 year old Shwedagon Pagoda which houses strands of Buddha’s hair, as well as a ton of holy relics. There’s more gold here than one could ever imagine and the top is encrusted with thousands of diamonds with the largest being about 72 carats. That’s one big diamond. It’s clearly one of the wonders of the religious world.
Even with all that gold, it was the tiles and the layout that I found to be so striking!
The day in Yangon ended with a visit to Karaweik Hall. An amazing piece of architecture for sure and to think it’s a barge!
So that’s a wrap!* If you’ve made it this far then congrats. Clearly from the volume of posts you can tell my favorites were Inle Lake and Bagan!
Thinking by now, you need a break from SE Asia, Cambodia will come later…but know that country so captured my heart. A country filled with poverty, corruption, and the aftermath of an unbelievable genocide, yet there were endless smiles and a show of true love for their homeland. It was an honor to visit their country. I’m so looking forward to sharing those experiences with you too!
*Well kinda. One of the highlights of traveling around Myanmar was the unexpected experience of several noviciation ceremonies. Noviciation? You see it’s the Myanmar tradition that boys are required to enter the Buddhist order for a week or more. An obligation for every parent, rich or poor, as it’s believed to be an admirable deed which could keep them from the evil realm. Fascinating and one that I so hope to share a mixture of photography and video with you!
noviciation ceremony in bagan, myanmar
That is one big, beautiful Buddha! and I agree with you about the tiles, so awesome!
But those two boys in the last image, they have my heart.
Very nice Rich Colors! I too loved the BIG Lady AKA ??. Good Job!
Stunning photos Frissy. I agree that the two boys in the last photo pulled at my heart too… Thanks so much for the tour or your travels this far. I really learned a lot from your photos and stories… xoXo
A fabulous series.
Karaweik Hall looks incredible! Xo
This is incredible, I want to go there, too.
Beautiful pictures and so well said.
You should be going around the schools lecturing about history and about different countries.
Wow-how did you manage to get the one feet eyelashes from above?? Loved the big buddha -and the worshipping and the families coming with their picknicks.
Wonderful images.