Myanmar 2001 - Bagan archeological site

Everyone visiting Myanmar cannot fail to make a trip to Bagan in Mandalay division. Old Bagan was the capital of the Pagan kingdom which lasted from the 9th to 13th century. The extensive archeological area has the remains of more than 3500 Buddhist temples, stupas and monasteries. Bagan has the largest concentration of Buddhist structures in the world and is now a World Heritage Site. 

Dawn over Bagan with silhouettes of stupas

The morning light reveals the wonder of Bagan 

Verdant fields around the stupas 

          

Stupas of all shapes and sizes

and as far as the eye can see

                                     

Panaromic view of the stupas

seen from a vantage point......this was in 2001 before climbing prohibited!

Dhammayangyi, the largest temple in Bagan

and Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temple in Bagan

            

Sunset over the stupas in Bagan

                 

                  

                           

Sikkim, India Dec 2007 Trek to Bazaraya, Himalayas

We've always referred to our Sikkim holiday as the trip that nearly killed us! The planning and discussion with the guide was done via emails, with little details on the location, so what was supposed to be a regular birding trip turned out to be an expedition! Well, we survived to tell the tale...read on! 

The porters leaving our accommodation in Khecheopalri

         

Everything we needed for two nights

Start of the trek through farmlands

passing cow sheds

farm houses and cultivation

Prayer flags fluttering in the wind

Village kids watch us go by

We follow the track and head into the hills

and leave the village in the valley

and climbed higher

into forest with more trees

and rest to enjoy the view of Khecheopalri lake far below

Hard going for the porters

The two of us were unprepared for the steep terrain - it was actually mountain climbing! So the expedition made an unscheduled overnight camp midway 

Afternoon tea in the middle of nowhere

Pakoras and puri prepared by

our multi-talented crew

our very own toilet in the wild!

Sunset over the distant mountains

Frost covered vegetation when we got up

Finally made it to the top of Bazaraya

and views of the snow-capped Himalayas

and mighty Kanchenjunga

Bitterly cold even with polar covering!

Congratulatory message on conquering 3300 m Bazaraya

Group photo before heading down

General location of Bazaraya 

Myanmar 2001 - Mingun Pahtodawgyi and Bell

Mingun Pahtodawgyi was the grandiose project started in 1790 by King Bodawpaya. The 50 m high uncompleted monument is regarded as one of the examples of the eccentricities of the king. It was planned to be a massive 150 m stupa but, according to one story, the superstitious king delayed the work on hearing the prophesy that he would die on its completion. Due to its high cost to the country and people, not surprisingly, after King Bodawpaya died, work on Mingun Paya was abandoned. In 1839, an earthquake badly damaged the monument, causing huge cracks on the structure which now is claimed to be the largest pile of bricks in the world!            

Mingun Pahtodawgyi showing the huge crack caused by earthquake

A small temple built into the monument


Steps lead to the top of Mingun monument

              

Top of Mingun monument with view of Hsinbyume Pagoda

                                                     

The gleaming white Hsinbyume Pagoda

                                                            

                                                                                   

The Mingun Bell that the king never got to place on his monument. At a massive 90 tons, it is the 2nd largest ringing bell in the world.      

Myanmar 2001 - 1000 Cliffside Buddhas, Pyay

Near Pyay is an amazing spectacle of Buddha figurines on the cliff faces of Akauk Thaung mountain flanking the bank of the Ayeryarwady River. Each Buddha figure, of various sizes and repose, is set in its own cavity carved into the rock face. These cavities were the result of years of hard work by the faithful who had chiseled out the repositories and placed the Buddhas out of veneration for the Enlightened One. 

From the boat on the Ayeryarwady, the distant view of the Buddhas and pagoda on Akauk Thaung mountain

Buddha figurines in their repositories cover the cliff face

The Sleeping Buddha on the track leading up to the mountain top