Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Intriguing Myanmar!

Part I-Yangon

My First Day to the intriguing Myanmar is in Yangon, the capital city! Serendipitously or maybe unfortunately or both, it fell on the full moon, which they call Full Moon Day of Warso. It is one of the 7 sacred days for Teravada Buddhism or Orthodox Buddhism that dominates Myanmar (Ref: http://www.myanmars.net/myanmar-culture/myanmar-buddhism.htm). So we went to the most famous landmark in Myanmar, the Shwedagon Pagoda. It is said to be 2,500 years old, renovated many times and known to enshrine the 8 strands of hair from Gautama Buddha. We came in via the west gate because our taxi cannot maneuver anymore through the traffic. We better walk or loose precious hours in waiting for cars to clear. We went early anticipating many people going there, but lo and behold every Burmese, young and old are there!!! Oh My God, it is very difficult to maneuver ourselves through the high stairs. At least there is a divider at the stairs for the traffic flow.

We already know that shoes or slippers are removed before entering temples, yet we thought in these multitude of people it might not be very strict this time. Children outside the entrance are selling plastic bags for easily lugging the shoes with you through the temple complex. It is amazing how a monk giving some flyers noticed i didn't remove my socks, although i am holding my shoes. He said "REMOVE SOCKS", which i hurriedly complied with embarrassment.

West Entrance guarded by two mythical lion-dragons

The west entrance is the only entrance without vendors and provided with scalators to the platform.

a reclining Buddha in one of the side temples

 I wasn't able to take photos while on the stairs to the complex, it is impossible, the only area free of other people is the place you are standing on.

the main and biggest stupa of the Shwedagon Paya

Shwedagon Pagoda stands on a platform of over 5 hectares on a hill 58 meters above sea level. There are many stupas but this main stupa is totally solid, covered with gold and the top is studded with diamonds. Those structures covered with cloth are under renovation. At the very top of the spire is the diamond orb, that is a hollow gold sphere studded with 4351 diamonds totalling 1800 carats. At the topmost is a single 76 carat diamond. 

 It is also difficult to have a self souvenir photo, as before you can click, someone will already pass between you and the photographer. Getting persons photos is a big challenge, so we better take the stupas shots!

 I forgot to say that it is raining periodically, so the floor is wet and a bit muddy. We were in pants so it is easy to walk, i am amazed at the traditional Burmese women's dresses, as some are very body fitting with narrow skirts. I guess it is difficult to walk in them. What with the men wearing sarong, which are long skirts too! Being unaccustomed wearing these outfits, i imagine its difficulty.


One of the many structures of Buddha at Shwedagon Paya

 The South Entrance is a short distance from the main street, the stairs are full of vendors and all types of things from flowers, to gemstones to paintings, etc, etc. The lady seller courteously obliged to pose for our souvenir shot, she is wearing a conventional Burmese dress.

  ...souvenir items of all sizes and materials

Schwedagon Pagoda viewed from the 21st floor of a nearby hotel, at the Sky Bistro. We went there not only for lunch but for the view. 

I searched for the synonym of the word intriguing and the first link says the following, all of them are true! 

Synonyms: absorbing, arresting, consuming, engaging, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, gripping, immersing, intriguing, involving, riveting

Related Words: breathtaking, electric, electrifying, exciting, exhilarating, galvanizing, inspiring, rousing, stimulating, stirring, thrilling; provocative, tantalizing; emphatic, showy, splashy, striking; alluring, attractive, bewitching, captivating, charming, enchanting, spellbinding; hypnotizing, mesmerizing; curious, odd, unusual, weird; amazing, astonishing, astounding, eventful, eye-opening, fabulous, marvelous (or marvellous), surprising, wonderful, wondrous; amusing, entertaining


24 comments:

  1. Can I add 'mythical', too? All the superlatives would not do justice to the beauty that is Myanmar!

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    1. So you better add it to Wikipedia, or to the dictionary of synonyms i copied it from. The meanings are not actually in words but in the emotion you had in experiencing all those!

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  2. Fascinating post and beautiful pictures.

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  3. Wow - what a stunning temple!

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  4. Great to see it all on your blog. Much as I would like to see it for myself, I am not happy in such a press of people so it is better seeing it in tis way.

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    1. The multitude of people on those temples happen only once a year, that we happen to experience. Imagine we chanced the 1/365 days probability! They said there is no such thing as chance, so we just equated it to be our pilgrimage, to maybe do what we haven't done in a previous lifetime!

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  5. wow, i've never seen that many people in that temple before from the photos of other bloggers. it did seem a timing problem, or may be not. the crowd though added more texture and complexity to your images.

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    1. Yes Maria, i guess i love the experience with those people. It is like a pilgrimage on its own, and i learn to cherish the moments. As i said, unfortunately or serendipitously or maybe not, haha! It added more thrill and mystery.

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  6. Just so many people! What an incredible place.

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    1. Yes Fun60, and we chanced upon the 1/365 days probability, the Full Moon Day of Warso. It really is incredible. More in my next posts. This is just the beginning. Please stay tuned.

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  7. how very very cool! we don't have those here. love all the colours

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  8. Eine wahre Wunderwelt, die hier die Menschen für ihre Religion geschaffen haben !
    Schönen Gruß,
    Luis

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  9. well, that is a great trip it seems. I hope you enjoy the trip as I think you do.

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  10. Well what a small world it is my Our World Tuesday post is also today from Myanmar! What a fabulous country it is, I look forward to reading more of your travels, maybe you will find the posts about my travels to Myanmar also? They are on my Travel Tales blog. :)

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    1. Thanks LindyLou Mac. I put my comments in your blogposts. I thought we were there at the same time but you were ahead. Your boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan is of same length with our bus ride from Yangon to Bagan. Yours is awesomely lovely in scenery but i am a bit scared to take that boat. Maybe i will try seeing Mandalay too in the future.

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    2. I would love to go again such a beautiful country. The boat was lovely not scary at all, yes I recommend Mandalay. :)

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  11. All those synonyms say exactly what I was thinking reading and seeing this beautiful place.

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  12. I'm sure all of those words describe that 'intriguing' place. The Schwedagon Pagoda is absolutely amazing.. For someone like me who has never ever seen anything like that---I LOVED it... WOW!!! Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  13. Intriguing indeed. I particularly remember Shwedagon Pagoda in one of those Araling Panlipunan books.

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    1. Hehe your memory is so good, i haven't remembered anything. Baka naman Asian History mo nalaman yan!

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  14. Beautiful. Schwedagon Pagoda and Buddha are they made from gold?

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