Around And About

Myanmar Map | Home Page 4 of 5 | Page Up | Page Down
Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung    Consecration Hall

 

 

Impossible to miss as you come into or out of Nyaungshwe on the airport road.   We rented bicycles for a couple of days and rode to the monastery twice but it is well within walking distance

 Famed for the obliging monks, mostly the younger ones, who come flocking to pose in the photogenic oval windows of the Consecration Hall when they hear you arrive .  We had a lot of freedom to wander around and I particularly enjoyed the quiet of the study hall, listening to the young monks chanting their lessons.  Donations are much appreciated

              

The other, less photogenic side of the Monastery                             

       

A leap of faith
Young monks in their dormitory

Cane cutters and sugar refining

 Cycling around the pretty lanes, we saw many small family run sugar growing and refining operations.  We were able to wander about and see the whole process from cutting the cane to the final product drying in the sun.  With a sample of sugar cane, gleefully cut especially for us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Most of the cane cutter and field workers were women, with the men in charge of the machinery, the boiling process and lunchtime cock fights

              Giggling Girls                                                                      

                 

The outer leaves were used to fuel the refinery fires                  

                     

                 Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble                                                  

                      

 The boiling cane does not look at all appetizing            

                  

Inle Khaugn Daing  Hot Spring Spa

 Back on our bikes, we took the road past Ywa Thit  Monastery heading for the spa.  The road quickly deteriorated with women accompanied by their small children, breaking up rocks to build a new one while the men played with their ancient Tonka Toy.  Not an auspicious start to our 11 Km ride.  We didn't quite know what to expect but were happy as it was relaxing after the exertion.  I hadn't appreciated it would be mostly up hill in both directions and with no gears to assist
 

At the Spa there were three pools, from warm to hot.  It cost a $1 to enter plus $3 to bathe.  Fluffy towels, shampoo etc provided
 

From my spot in the hottest pool, I spied a stupa.  We just had to climb up to take in the view, right across to the Lake
Myanmar Map | Home Page 4 of 5 | Page Up | Page Down