CeD in Shanghai

had an amazing time, both on land and underwater, diving Sipadan !

Crossing Inle lake

and reaching the yearly procession of

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (Inle Lake – Shan State)

One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar, this pagoda houses five small Buddha images. Once a year, in end Sept-early Oct., there is a pagoda festival during which the five Buddha images are rowed around the Lake in a colourful barge.
Situated in Inle Lake, one of the most dazzling and magical places in Asia. It is held on a grand scale for 18 days, usually falls in October (sometimes in September). Four Buddha Images out of five from Phaung-daw-oo Pagoda are carried on royal barge and conveyed around 14 villages on the Lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg -rowers and hundreds of boats follow the procession. The large crowds of people gather on the lake-shores to celebrate the occasion. It is really a splendid sight. (source)

You can see the massive barge carrying the buddha in the background (golden one)

Then we head with the crowd to Naung Taw temple

Monks&Guns….

Hi there ! Myanmar people in Inle Lake area are simply wonderful !

Wonderful and buzzling Teakwood bridge named “U Bein” near Mandalay.

nice !

more infos on http://www.chinatownshanghai.com/

My friends, Clement and Yan

Clement

and

Yan

The Bagan Archaeological Zone is the formal name used to designate the historic region of the ancient Kingdom of Bagan. It has been suggested that perhaps over 13,000 temples, pagodas and other religious structures originally were built in this 26 sq. mile (42 sq. k.) area during the height of the kingdom between the 11th and 13th centuries. The region clearly stands with Angkor and Borobudur among the most significant archeological sites of Southeast Asia and indeed of the world. It has recently (2002) been nominated for World Heritage Site status.

Sunset in Bagan, on top of Buledi temple

This temple is located at the western end of Inle Lake reached by a boat ride through a long channel. This river channel is too shallow to use later on in the dry season and even now it was difficult to use a longtail boat with motor. On the way we watched farmers cultivating their produce and even more leg-rowers.

Shwe Intaing Pagoda is an 800-year old pagoda reached by a long walkway covered by a roof held up by 400 wooden columns.

This is called “hti”, the top of the pagoda :

Titling ‘htis’

Stupas forest

Wandering around the ruins of stupas

set at 900m high, Inle lake is a wonderful place to enjoy fresh air, nice people and wonderful views.

Boat Parking on the lake

Cute little girl watching the procession

among the hundreds of boats attending the procession

proud young and strong rowers

watching each others

waving at young monks

Mahamuni Temple

Stone carving street

Scary puppets

burmese texts

silversmith at work, around Sagaing Hill

taxi, local style!