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

[drron]

Thanks for the kind words Clivem.I do though get great enjoyment out of it.I am lucky I can take these adventures so do like to share.

So continuing our tour you see the villages source of electricity and then the old source of power-the remains of the sesame seed crop salvaged for another kiln fire-

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Then we all met at the school where the students performed songs,we gave out pencils and paper and prizes supplied to the bright kids-

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[drron]

So a couple more of mrsdrron's photos.Just love this first one and then what a majestic older woman-

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We caight up with her a little later where she was visiting her brother for lunch-

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And back to the kids-

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Most of the monks were away for a celebration.only a few older monks left.These young fellows volunteered to collect the alms for them-

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Now Yandabo also figures in Burmese History.It was here that the treaty to end the first Anglo-Burmese war was signed.Unfortunately due to erosion the marker fell into the river a few years ago.As we were leaving another vessel arrived-

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[drron]

Of course they didn't have Santa to welcome them back to the ship-

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And some more random river shots-

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And we passed the new Sanctuary resorts boat-

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[drron]

So we were sailing for Sale(Salay).Passed Bagan on the way-

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About 1500 we were attempting to overtake a barge and ended up on a sandbank.4 hours of trying to get off were unsuccessful so stayed there the night.Still had the Burmese puppet show.They travelled down from Bagan by small boat so no problem,they didn't have to go so far.
The next morning a tug was present.Unfortunately it got stuck twice but finally we were free-

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Notice the fellow on the front of the barge testing the depth.

 

[RooFlyer]

Another sand bank adventure :shock: . Wonder if they'll change the schedule next year again?

 

[drron]

So a few more shots passing Bagan before our date with a sandbank-

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The Cruiseco riverboat was there-

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Another boat we passed just before our unscheduled stop.We had a beautiful Christmas lunch buffet.Dinner was as usual and had our only disappointing dish-a vegetarian pasta.
Because of our little diversion our boxing day program changed.A shorter visit in Sale(Salay).Totally missed our date with sunset at the Myathalon pagoda at Magwe.So our early morning trip to Sale-

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One of the rare forest patches riverside.An indication of the difference in river levels in wet season-

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[drron]

Arriving at Sale there were only a few steps to our transport-

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Interesting handgrip and we certainly hoped no accident-

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Today we were visiting a 19th century wooden monastery,Yout-Saun-Kyaung.It was donated by a wealthy local businessman noted as a womaniser.The monks decorations are interesting.First a more modern monastery at the entrance-

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Of course a wooden monastery needs a good firefighting system-

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[drron]

It has become a virtual museum for monastery artefacts-

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Ventilation-

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The ceilings are said to be original-

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[drron]

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Now a few of the things near the monastery-

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Then we went to the house of the monastery's benefactor-still owned by his descendants.Now houses a photography exhibition.I bought a print.There were some really good ones.

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[drron]

Then we walked back through the town to the Orcaella.Much of the housing is now used for storage particularly plums grown around here.Occasional renovated places,some traditional houses and delightful people-

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[drron]

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Back at the river life goes on.These women are doing the laundry.The woman standing has just had her bath-in her longhi.When finished you put a new longhi over the top and step out of the old one.Who needs a bathroom!

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Another elegant Burmese woman-

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And now we steamed towards Magwe.Didn't quite make it before nightfall so anchored 4 miles upstream.On the way-

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Now you know what that last shot means don't you?

 

[Major]

What is the staple Burmese diet and did they serve any local dishes on board ?

 

[OATEK]

<snip>

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Now you know what that last shot means don't you?

The sunsets are great. But I note the other key item from recent trips does not seem to feature this time round - a certain pair of shorts. A diplomatic omission?

Love the sunsets, always a special time of day wherever you are.

 

[drron]

Major the principal content of Burmese cuisine is rice-the official Burmese travel site says 75 % of a typical Burmese diet is rice.
In the villages this is usually served with fish paste or fermented fish sauce and vegetables.
In cities salads and curries are popular.Some curries are Indian,some local.Neither are usually very spicy but served with condiments including various chilli options.
Our guide on board who was born and still lives in Bagan says generally they have only a small amount of chilli but restaurants can either leave out chilli to cater for western tastes or put in lots to cater for those westerners who believe Asian food should be spicy.
There was always at least 1 Burmese dish each day and we did have a Burmese lunch day and a Burmese dinner night.They did do a very good Mohinga but not every morning.
I have to say the food on board was very definitely the best we have ever had on a ship.

Oatek the shorts are on holiday at home.But I did bring both my pink shorts and trousers.My US flag crocs though are a great hit with the locals.

 

[RooFlyer]

Major the principal content of Burmese cuisine is rice-the official Burmese travel site says 75 % of a typical Burmese diet is rice.
In the villages this is usually served with fish paste or fermented fish sauce and vegetables.
In cities salads and curries are popular.Some curries are Indian,some local.Neither are usually very spicy but served with condiments including various chilli options.
Our guide on board who was born and still lives in Bagan says generally they have only a small amount of chilli but restaurants can either leave out chilli to cater for western tastes or put in lots to cater for those westerners who believe Asian food should be spicy.
There was always at least 1 Burmese dish each day and we did have a Burmese lunch day and a Burmese dinner night.They did do a very good Mohinga but not every morning.
I have to say the food on board was very definitely the best we have ever had on a ship.

<snip>

I was a little disappointed with the Myanmar cuisine, although I mostly kept to Western targeted hotels at dinner time (not always my preference ... evening work intervened!). The 'Myanmar cuisine' part of the menus usually consisted of chicken, beef or pork curries ... like dr.ron says, not particularly spicy and several I tried I'd describe as bland. I wish I had been able to go out to some proper restaurants in Mandalay. A 'Myanmar salad' I had one night I'd describe as a 'kitchen sink' salad. Absolutely everything in there, with some mysterious dressing, which was delicious

I did some long road segments and twice we stoped at "roadhouses" for lunch and here the guide encouraged me to try various dishes and these were quite nice ... catering exclusively for local clientele. For instance, rice with green tea (leaves) leafy veges served as sides. My request for fruit for lunch during another drive was met with huge approval .. dragon fruit, custard apples, oranges etc. from road side stalls. Very popular all round!

I'm sure dr.ron's cruise was a great option. My cruise on the Mekong in Laos was similarly memorable for the meals we had.

 

[drron]

So yes the sunset continues-

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We anchored at sunset.I had to go out on deck for the sunset shots as it set on the other side to our cabin which meant-

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-sunrise was straight out our window.

 

[drron]

Sunrise continued-

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[drron]

Boy do I hate Google.Been unable to access Picasaweb for 90 minutes+.
But I have now decided I like sunrise as much as sunset.It was magic as we set off the few miles to Magwe.So here is the sun rising-

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[drron]

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[drron]

As we "docked" at Magwe some equipment was heading upriver.Probably for the copper mine west of Mandalay.

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The birds were out and the steps awaited us-

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We were of interest to the locals.Plenty of places where men were sitting around drinking tea and smoking whilst the next few posts will show who does the work in Burma-

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