Ok…there’s just a couple more parts of the Mandalay visit that I must tell you about…then we’ll head to Bagan. Promise.
We embarked on a private boat upstream to the destination of Mingun, famed for their two pagodas and the 90 ton Mingun bell. However, in my opinion, the prize was the boat ride up the Ayeyarwaddy river and walking thru the village of Mingun to get to the pagodas and the bell. To be on the river in late afternoon was so serene…like something you’d see in a National Geographic magazine. As soon as we arrived in Mingun we were greeted with much fanfare from a local taxi service…
As quaint as the taxi was…walking is always my preference…especially to take in the daily life in a small village.
And of course meeting some of the locals is always special…
Check out her Singer sewing machine! She was just sewing away in her front yard. The lady below was just beside herself when she saw her image in my camera. She laughed and laughed and looked and looked at it. Priceless. A highlight always is communicating without knowing the language. A smile and a point to the camera almost always opens the door to a wonderful interaction!
And what we came to see…
mingun pahtodawgyi
myatheindan pagoda
inside the mingun bell
But, like the boat ride to Mingun and the village life itself, it was the return boat ride during sunset that also stole the show…especially during a full moon…
a local clearing a field
There’s so much more even in Mandalay, but hoping you now have a taste of this area of Myanmar. Now, we really are moving on to Bagan…so stay tuned!
Love, Love, Love, this! Can’t wait to see more!! XoXo
I want to see more, too! And this is my favourite taxi ever.
I am so enjoying your blog and travel and local photos. Kind of traveling with you. Thanks.
Mesmerizing pictures! The portrait of the old Lady serene and beautiful. Every single photo tells a story! Love to see more …and more….and….
Awesome photos! The sewing machine is just stunning!!!! My mom had one like that when i was growing up. I also love the portrait of the old lady. One of my all time favorite things about you is that your are able to interact without words. I soooooo love you you!!!! xoxoxoxoxox
You, of all people, show us it’s the Journey and not just the Destination, Robin…which is what I love about these posts.
Finally I have time to catch up. Breathtaking pictures. This is such a pure place, pure people, friendly people. The lady in B&W you portrayed, this says it all. Proud, friendly, innocent people. Communication is important. You told about the rude photographers, they take pictures for the pictures. You take pictures for the people. A big difference.
Thank you for showing this Journey, I am following you to your next Journey. Thank you for sharing these incredible experiences. THIS is life…
How do you do it? You never run out of beautiful ways to capture the perfect moment in time, place, subject and emotion.
I absolutely love the taxi, the becautiful older woman, the pagoda and the local clearing the field is stunning! Looks like a painting!
Your eye for detail, too is amazing. The toothbrushes near the basin – a modern dental hygiene item used in such a primitave setting. Knowing when to use black & white and when to use color to enhance the detail, clarity, raw emotion of the moment.
Now I just want to know who the lucky one is in the “we” who got to be with you on this incredible journey and I wonder if this lucky person remembers seeing the incredible beauty that you see. I wonder if you always had this gift and never knew it. I wonder if it just blossoms more and more with each photo you take, blossoming along with you.
I’m just so grateful for you. Thank you.
XO
Thank you, Robin, for sharing your journey with us! I have so enjoyed each post! A perfect way to spend a cold Sunday morning! Looking forward to seeing Bagan through your eyes!
Love the taxi and it only got better. What impressed me the most is the light, it looks so special and just better some how … maybe it’s you and your soft approach to the people and places.
xo
I am enjoying your holiday almost as much as you, because both your account and your photographs bring the whole thing to light so vividly, from the worker in the filed to the face of the old lady and the architecture and the landscapes. You get the idea: I love this post, and the sense of travel and tranquillity it gives me so much. You idea of how to travel is the same as mine: that’s what makes it all so special to me
Glorious images, all.