In search of an Empire.Siam,Burma and Singapore.

[drron]

Success! but only 1 at a time-

[video=youtube_share;iDB3x67G8zE]http://youtu.be/iDB3x67G8zE[/video]

 

[drron]

[video=youtube_share;Bi_4F6R6Hpc]http://youtu.be/Bi_4F6R6Hpc[/video]

 

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[video=youtube_share;ClqrQ5FkFIw]http://youtu.be/ClqrQ5FkFIw[/video]

 

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[video=youtube_share;6ispqWb1O0s]http://youtu.be/6ispqWb1O0s[/video]

 

[drron]

[video=youtube_share;RgbkAc3rw20]http://youtu.be/RgbkAc3rw20[/video]

 

[drron]

[video=youtube_share;Z43UlaJrQ7s]http://youtu.be/Z43UlaJrQ7s[/video]

 

[drron]

The last of the series-

[video=youtube_share;LdpnxumDz5w]http://youtu.be/LdpnxumDz5w[/video]

 

[drron]

Back to the birthday and the cake-

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Now those on our table got a taste but the rest I took over to the support staff for them to share.It seemed to be a popular move.When one of the crew thanked all the locals who had come he mentioned that it was my birthday and how I felt honoured they had all come.So I ended up having selfies with all the band and many of the locals.Felt humbled.
We returned to the ship and this was our room-

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The next day was heading back up river towards Bagan.There was a cooking demonstration in the morning which mrsdrron went to.About half way through there was a sudden stop and shudder.Mrsdrron said cooking ingredients went everywhere.The water splashed from the swimming pool and down the stairs.A blackout and the internet went out for 30 minutes.No one would say what happened.
There was a Burmese theme for lunch.I will post food pictures later.Now we were meant to arrive at a sandbank and have a football game with the locals at ~ 1630.However didn't arrive until after 1800 so dark and only the crew were willing to risk their limbs against the locals on sand.

On our way their we were the subjects of interest-

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Sunset was very disappointing-

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[drron]

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The village that had come to the sandbank had met only 3 tour groups in 5 years according to our guides and later confirmed by one of the locals.Most were quite shy but after a few mingalabas and high fives with the kids they started yo smile-

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Now pay attention to the girl second from the left at the back of this picture-

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Myself and one of the women passengers were talking to this group with one of our guides(centre at the back in the blue shirt).He was translating for us and them as we swapped questions.They wanted to know what we did.He said I was a doctor-they all smiled.The woman was a lawyer,the girl I mentioned when that was said just went Blah,blah,blah.I was finding it hard to get a question in.I wanted to know how many brothers and sisters one of the children had-thayoung girl answered in English-I have 7.We then had a conversation.She is in grade 9.Her name is Omah Myin-spelling may be wrong.They do all learn English but she listens to the radio as well.And we think we are smart.

 

[drron]

That night we were joined by the GM of Belmond Myanmar cruises-a Malaysian fellow who had worked at the Observatory hotel and Lillianfels before this job.He certainly helped placate the passengers.Of course if it had happened at the beginning would have been much better.

But now it was Wednesday-day 10 of the cruise and the morning was spent cruising up river to Bagan.Soe,our guide,gave a talk on Bagan.So once again a little of river life.A different experience today passing an oil producing area,personal mining looking a little like Lightening Ridge as well as the usual pagodas and boats-

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[drron]

Belmond aren't the only cruise company helping the villages-

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[drron]

Some schoolboys knew some English words they really shouldn't have known.If at school they wear green longhis-

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We arrived at Bagan at lunchtime and then went on an afternoon tour.The crew were great here a sedan chair taken down for a woman with limited mobility-

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A gate to Old Bagan-

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Note the redhead who just kept sitting there reading her Lonely Planet guide despite many from various tour groups indicating they would like a photo of the gate without her there.

 

[drron]

Well the redhead wouldn't move so I stood right in front oif her to take the next picture-

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A selection of temples etc-

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[drron]

So we continue our tour of Bagan.Certainly a must see in Myanmar.It is not a World Heritage Area as the military continue to restore the many pagodas.Burma applied for listing in 1996 but it was turned down in 1997.Unesco has worked on the conservation of some temples since 2012.
So back to the Sulamani temple which still has a lot of frescoes which you can photograph-

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I thought the ancient lino was in remarkable condition!

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[burmans]

I found Bagan just amazing, clearly the most "touristed" place in Myanmar but nevertheless very easy to get off the beaten track and find amazing sites with not 1 tourist.

I'm expecting some amazing sunset photos soon, the light in Bagan at sunset and sunrise were just amazing, particularly a in combination with the haze.

(How many times did I use amazing above, apologies but it was for me a very special place).

 

[drron]

Actually most of our days in Bagan were cloudy so we missed the amazing sunsets.Unfortunately tourist numbers are rising dramatically but as you say still possible even at fairly major temples to be the only Europeans.It was however a full moon festival over the time we were there so many more locals than usual as well.
But now the buddhas of Sulamani-

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It was then off to a lacquerware studio,a real oasis-

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[drron]

So he lacquerware process-at least 12 stages and takes 6-9 months-

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Outside still rubbish as usual all over Bagan-

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Then to a sunset pagoda-

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As we climbed the pagoda the clouds rolled in.You still got good views of the surroundings-

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[drron]

You also noticed some unusual characters-

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Other pagodas were also used-

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[burmans]

Actually most of our days in Bagan were cloudy so we missed the amazing sunsets./

That's very unfortunate, makes me realise how lucky I was to get some great sunset photos! You may just have to go back.

 

[drron]

So a few attempted panoramic views from the temple-

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So the sunset was a non event.The other problem were the tourists.Fellows with tripods set up blocking others progress.Pushing and shoving.Not a great experience.

So then back to the ship.It was New Years Eve.The Orcaella had relocated to another sandbank where dinner was served and the Taittinger flowed.

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