Myanmar - the RPS Travel Group trip 14th - 28th February Part II Mandalay

We left Yangon early - most of us after a near sleepless night - from the domestic airport.  I bought my last good espresso (before Nyaung Shwe at the end of the trip) at the airport cafe.  We arrived at Mandalay airport and met our next local guide, Win.  On to the coach and straight to our tea stop.  Then on to the ferry boat to Ava (Inwa), where we were in horse and cart, viewing this once royal capital of Burma.

Young lads sorting the lotus leaves which make a tasty snack.

The group at the tea stop.

One of the toilets out the back.

We passed this family on the coach.  They were making their way to nearer Mandalay, where they will set up home as they will work on the farms. 

Elizabeth asking a question of Win.

Robert taking a pic on our way around Ava.

Robert managed to get in the pic again.

Goatherd

Wearing longyis means one has to ride sidesaddle on bikes.

rice paddies

Dog at Bagaya Monastery.  A lovely teak structure.

Images from the monastery.

stall holder outside

Sally at the Maha Aung Mye Bon San Monasery

archway

While we were looking around the monastery, the artist was setting up.  He painted these in the time we went around - about half an hour.

One of the street sellers

Waiting for the ferry and watching the world work.

Our ferry which has just come from the lighter path on the other side.

We had lunch before we checked into our hotel, which was outside of Mandalay and by the Ayarwaddy River.  It rained for the only day of our trip so the evening itinerary changed from viewing U Bein Bridge to going to Shwenandaw Kyaung, a Buddhist monastery and the world's biggest book.  I stayed on the coach with some others, while we visited the site of the World's biggest book so no photos.  It was pouring with rain - is my excuse!  We were entertained by three female street sellers having a pee by the side of the coach.  All fairly dignified - I don't think they realised the coach was occupied.

Monks visiting Shwenanadaw Kyaung

 The next day we drove a couple of hours to the old British hill-station of Pyin U Lwin a the edge of the Shan Plateau.  On the way, we stopped at a flower market.  After lunch we visited the botanical gardens and then on to a sunset visit at U Bein Bridge.

The monks come past the hotel daily

I was diverted by this lady feeding the puppies

A few images from the flower market

A few images from the market at the hill station

Jenny showing her photo to her subject

Flying cabbages - you will see more cabbages in later posts

This chap asked me to take his photo - shame it was at midday.

At the botanical gardens - could have stayed here for longer but we had a sunset to catch.

Heading off to the bridge and was distracted by this chap doing tricks with his horse.  He didn't seem to want any money, just happy we were paying him attention.

A few images of U Bein's Bridge, apparently the largest wooden bridge in the world

A few minutes before this picture was taken, there were a load of boats on the other side of the bridge, taking the sunset.  On this day, I would have been better to have been on the island in the middle but I chose here, together with Sally.

On the way back to the coach, the colours got better and better.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the lake in front.

 Another early start for our long river trip from Mandalay to Bagan in Part III.