বাংলাদেশ

I wanted to go from Bagan to Ngapali Beach but unfortunately due to low season (no flights no buses) this was not possible. So we went down back to Yangon.

We were picked up at the hotel by an open pick up sitting on the loading area,
a common means of transport here...

This is how the night buses look like - not sure wether they run by day as well.
Regrettable we were booked on another bus.

The office of our tour company from where we wold depart.

The pick up truck as well as some of the luggage.

Our bus. No beauty but surprisingly comfy.

Mistook the crutch for a shot first time around.

Road stop

I walked towards this fuel station. Hoping for some Mars or Snickers (as in every good advertisement available at the most remote places). The station was empty - or let me rephrase it - is the home of the station attendant. With a bed and some water supply inside.

One of these cars with a traction engine in front...

Our rest area. While we stopped on our way up at a proper highway rest area - we stopped at low key places on our way back...

Sales women waiting for customers.

This is along some country road. But the highway we reached later is top notch.
Wide, well maintained with frequent toll stations and nearly no traffic.

For some reason they tried to pump water into the transporter.
Maybe it was caring fish but they were not to successful as the water was running out.

Muhahah notice the helmets!

Had Breakky as every morning in a charming building or

lets say on the veranda in front - under this sign.

The name of the hotel. - A truly lovely destination.

Also very special due to the employees who did their utmost to make sure that your wishes are fulfilled and you may have a pleasant stay. The place had an air of positive energy above it.

We booked a van and a driver for the day to bring us to Mt. Popa.

On the way we stopped at a palm tree plantage where they showed us the process from the harvested coconut to the finished refined product of palm tree liqueur.

Here we could watch how they grind the palm tree sugar or such as base for the liqueur.

During the drive to the mountain we mainly saw straw huts which told of the hard life of the locals. Even an ox cart with a single barrel behind. According to our driver someone who is bringing water up in high regions. How laborious! It was oppressive and I had the thought that - if I had been born in one of those huts - I would no be touring Germany for sightseeing now.

I talked to people about that thought and they said if I was from there I would not have the horizon to miss things I do not know about - but still. So glad and thankful for all those opportunities I had in my life already and I know will for sure still come up!

Mount Popa is a volcano 1518 metres above sea level, and located about 50 km southeast of Bagan in the Pegu Range. It can be seen from the Ayeyarwady River as far away as 60 km in clear weather. Mount Popa is perhaps best known as a pilgrimage site, with numerous Nat temples and relic sites atop the mountain.

Southwest of Mount Popa is Taung Kalat (pedestal hill), sheer-sided volcanic plug, which rises 737 metres (2,417 ft) above the sea level. A Buddhist monastery is located at the summit of Taung Kalat. At one time, the Buddhist hermit U Khandi maintained the stairway of 777 steps to the summit of Taung Kalat.

Need some magic potion?

She sure is happy to help you out with that! :)

Plenty of trees, flowering plants and herbs grow due to the fertile soil from the volcanic ash. Prominent among the fauna are Macaque monkeys that have become a tourist...

On the way up to the temple.

We had to take off our shoes to clime up. Surprisingly the ascent was via tile steps. People were sitting on those steps cleaning them of dirt and monkey droppings asking visitors for donations for cleaning the steps...

Not sure but seems to be a collection of temples...

Hahaha one of my favourite shots!

We met cheerful youngsters who enjoyed posing with us.

I like the idea that meeting each other made their day as it made ours.

Who gave the monkey doobies?!

Hahaha kidding on the way up you could by these little hand rolled sachets with monkey food inside...

The village beneath the temple.

One of the gates to start the ascent.

Weird - I wonder what these figurines are about...

Our cottage at the hotel.

After our return to the hotel we had lunch and rented bicycles again to discover New Bagan.

More temples - I took many photos but do not display them all as they do look all similar after a while. It was really hot and dry and I did not feel well at all. So we did not make it very far.

On our way back we met these kids. (Two girls actually! I thought the one with the short hair was a boy... O_o) You meet kids there everywhere and the all try to sell you merchandise of the area mostly sets of postcards.

Quite happy cause this gave me the chance for a close up of one of there faces. Kids women and young men have this yellow stuff on their face apparently a sun repellent.