The previous post was mainly to show happy campers enjoying an All Points East Burma tour and so hopefully incite a new booking or two; Burma tour photos II is a more self-indulgent collection of our own personal favourite images from our recent tour. So in approximate chronological order…………
Rangoon railway station Another train photo taken on Rangoon’s circular line tour. The colourful, albeit decrepit, rolling stock often jammed full of locals on their way to work, school or market makes for some photogenic views. You wouldn’t want to travel too far on these rickety narrow gauge railways and the 2-hour Rangoon to Bagan on our off-the-beaten-track South Burma tour, ‘Lookin’ Lazy at the Sea’, is the longest we do.
Trinket vendor at Inva Burmese girls’ penchant for thanaka and flowers in their hair also makes for some great images and this girl had clearly taken some time with her designs. Fortunately, betel chewing isn’t a habit amongst younger Burmese women these days either!
Sleeping monk at Inva Young monk taking a nap at Inva – the ancient former capital located just outside Mandalay City.
Mahamuni, Mandalay The Mahamuni and its famous giant gold-covered Buddha image is Mandalay’s most prestigious temple and a constant hive of activity with monks, nuns, devotees, pilgrims, vendors and of course, tourists filling the courtyards and corridors.
Bagan dawn Dawn is always going to be hit or miss affair and whilst dry season means there’s little chance of getting a disappointing overcast or rainy sunrise it also lacks any clouds which provide the bright colours. However, the early morning mist off the nearby Irrawaddy created a nice hazy feel and all agreed it was worth getting up for!
Pindaya Posing with one of the handmade parasols at a handicraft workshop in Pindaya, Shan State. The main purpose of the visit is to check out the spectacular Buddha-filled cave temples but the visit to one of the local cottage industries is always a popular addition.
Parasol maker with thanaka More thanaka paste on this girl who was demonstrating mulberry paper making. The spectacular parasols are entirely handcrafted using bamboo and homemade and dyed paper. A fascinating process though the results of which did create something of a shopping frenzy but it is nice to get your souvenirs directly from the family that made them!
Dawn over Inle Lake Another early start for dawn over Inle lake and this time with a few well-placed clouds to liven things up. Always good to be out on the lake at that time anyway since there’s hardly any other visitors around, cool temperatures and means our group arrives for a local market visit before anyone else does!
Pa-O girl and baby, In Dein Wonderful smile from this Pa-O woman, selling her wares at In Dein a fabulous ruined temple site a few miles upriver from the Lake. Purchasing a couple of her handmade scarves also meant she was more than happy to pose for a few photos so everyone happy!
