Bagan proper

Bagan. Truly an amazing place. We have been fortunate to have traveled to some places that surpassed expectations. By a long shot. I would put Bagan with Petra and Machu Pichu. Different by far but just astounds you with beauty.

There will be quite a few temple pictures to follow- no apologies- can't be avoided. I didn't even include all of the ones I took. AND these were all on my iphone! Our good camera still being in our shipment. 

We first took a sunset tour. There are not too many points that are up high... so as you can see in the second shot, we weren't alone.

The crew: Max, Luca, Innes, Lisa, and Wilder

We dragged everyone out of bed for a sunrise. It was nice but I have to say the blue sky contrasting with the red brick was my favorite. We rented scooter and cruised around.

The boys saw a sign and decided to get tattoos. Not to be left out I also got one befitting my gangsta profile

Great trip, jayzubah Bagan

Bagan, but first a little Popa

 A few things recently came together quite nicely. We had a four day break scheduled from school and had booked tickets to Bagan. We also added a night at Popa mountain because of a tip from a friend. Wilder called and let us know that the teachers at Newcastle U had just called a strike for the next 10 days. Lisa checked, and just like that we got the band back together! We didn't tell Luca and it was priceless seeing his face register that it was actually Wilder here in Yangon. I'm wasn't crying, you were crying! We added Luca's friend Max and had a great trip.

Here are a few from Popa

Our first time out of the city- quite flat at the start

We picked up a bit of an elephant vibe. Also it was cool- like I needed a sweatshirt kind of cool. I honestly couldn't remember what that felt like.

In the distance is the popa temple, built on a volcanic plug. We would go climb it later.

There were monkeys at the temple and the other 200 were not as calm as these two. You could buy little packets of seeds so when they got to close or aggressive you could throw a packet and run.

They also had a bamboo hatter- Wilder obliged. 

Made for an amazing sunset and sunrise! Oh I was wishing for our real camera!

Lisa and I went on a trail run the next morning to the top of popa mountain. It looked easy and was said to be well marked. This sign either says "popa mtn this way" or "whatever you do, do not go this way"

We were happy. Cool air, great views, there were even pine trees!

and then it was time to go to Bagan. Thanks popa mtn. (One last gem: this was from the airplane, I can't tell if it was meant to be a piece o candy, or a pizza flavored candy)

Dala

Across the Rangoon river is a soon to be very different town called Dala. It will soon be different as there are plans underway to build a bridge from Yangon to Dala. As of now you have to take a ferry to get across. Close to 200,000 people live there so its not exactly a town, but it does lack the overcrowded vibe you pick up on the streets of Yangon. There are cars, trishaws, buses, even motorcycles (banned in Yangon) but there aren't too many. Let's see how that changes in 2021. 

The rush for the ferry. There was actually plenty of room, and even a section for "foreigners" with pink chairs but we sat on the green benches with everyone else. 

After a lovely cruise across the river we were met by our trishaw drivers. The fellow on the left is smiling and giving the thumbs up as he just realized he won't have to haul the other guy showin thumb around. Let's just say I weigh much more than the average customer. Zaw (on the right) earned his pay today.

The streets do have motor cycles but are way quieter, really fun to cruise and look around. Our first stop was a place called ChuChu, which is Burmese for plastic. An organization that makes things out of recycled material. I realized I already had one of their man purses! Second stop was the local water hole. Once the rainy season ends it is open for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. People get the most out of the hour. 2X5gallon buckets on a bamboo pole= about 80 pounds of water. Trips were taking about 5-8 minutes. 

This girl reminded me of Lisa- ripped arms and a hard worker. Good t shirt too.

Next we cruised a bit further along to the edge of town for a look at the rice fields. Still a major crop but a lot has changed since it went mechanized. Beautiful all the same.

A look back. The houses were up on bamboo stilts but still flood during rainy season.

There are actually kites in this picture- little kites way way out there. trust me

This was the only time my trishaw was not at the back. 

Our last stop was a market. They had vegetables I haven't even imagined yet- and I imagine some crazy vegetables!

This leaf is called Rosalie- no joke! So hey mom, this ones for you- it is used to spice things up.

I'm really thinking this could be my side hustle: Innes the trishaw driver. Zaw looks pretty relaxed too.

We ended back in Yangon with some bbq and beer with Joseph our tourguide. He is great- if anyone wants to come visit, he can take you on this tour- and I can be your trishaw driver!