Jan. 2014 rolled around quick, with 15,000ks in between touring remote locations in Australia. It seemed we sooner turned around and we are landing in Mandalay, where we picked up our Cruise vessel.
Air Asia provide a free bus service into Mandalay complete with door to door service = EXCELLENT!.
Sit back and relax and be taken back through the millenniums
and 30-40 years current living conditions in the villages.
The old Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was revived in 1995 by the Burma historian Paul Strachan, who is a Scot.
We were the first since the Second World War to offer pioneering cruises on Burma’s spectacular Irrawaddy River, reaching Bhamo, one thousand miles from the sea, and went on to be a first on the stunningly attractive Chindwin River.1865
The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was established by Scots merchants in 1865. By the 1920s the company ran over 650 vessels on the rivers of Burma. It had become the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world. Mainly paddle steamers, the largest class of vessels were 350ft long and licensed for 4,000 passengers. In 1942 the fleet in its entirety was scuppered as an Act of Denial when the Japanese invaded.
1995
Paul and Roser Strachan revive the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company and are the first to offer river cruises on the Irrawaddy since colonial times. Local boats are chartered and converted and high adventure was had by all.
1998
In 1998, Paul Strachan discovered an original Clyde-built steamer called the Pandaw and arranged for its lease and restoration. Thus Pandaw was born and a unique concept and style of river cruising was created.2003
In 2003 we took our Pandaw concept to the Mekong River in Indochina plying between Saigon in Vietnam and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Here, the Pandaws broke the seemingly impenetrable river border between two very different countries. In high water our vessels accomplished the first cross navigation of the Tonle Sap, an inland sea previously un-navigated by anything other than local speed boats.2009
We inaugurated new river cruises on the Rajang in Borneo and Ganges in India. Another two magnificent Asian rivers, rich in things to do and see, with varied topography of great beauty. We pulled out of India and Borneo as a result of operational and safety issues.Today
We now have twelve beautifully crafted ships that we built ourselves. Each ship, hand finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen, is in itself an object of great beauty. The secret of our success is that on our cruise ships, whilst luxury and comfort are discreetly present, it is the colonial character and friendly atmosphere that predominate.You can check out all our river stops and more,
on the LINK BELOW
https://www.pandaw.com/river-stops/
we had 24 a good crowd
Our cruise from Mandalay to Prome 716kms over 10 days. Sit back and time to relax, well sort of. Lot's of walking with an abundance of very steep STAIRS up and down temples and river banks.
Our photo BLOG follows
Mandalay overnight - this lad looks like he knows what he's doing - Let's EAT!!
The dim sum were excellent
Check out the switch board, and in the foreground you can buy cigarettes individually for .05 cents each
Now where are we?
Time to walk to the markets and walk off lunch.
Stuck on the median strip. They drive on the right with right hand drive vehicles, it get's tricky crossing the roads.
The banana's must get delivered
Novice Monks - chanting and sell packets or rice
Walked 3 blocks before this, Burma 7/11. Now if we had wanted a phone nearly every 2nd store had mobile phones.
Just in case ya gotta go in a hurry, carry one with you
Helmets are required by LAW, and being used as you will notice as you scroll thru the photo's.
Now what do you need, heating or cooling??
Street side vendor - circuit boards ready to go!
Motor rewind - no problem, drop it off and collect in 2 days
Now this is what you call a load, who needs a pickup or trailer
Fabric and hats - your choice
Running repairs or new gear
Tools
Radios, watches - who needs a bricks and motor store, the side walk is just fine, well until it rains
well laid out OFFAL, if you're tempted!!
The basket was loaded, took two folks to lift it onto her head
Helmet class
Spring cleaning
Novice with rice sack on her head
Good iPad colour
The design is finger painted - clever!
Operating kiln - 1,000 degrees C
Thirsty work
Eh! dusty work with hand filter
Sort and preparing the clay
Happy with her - fire installation into the drying pots
The start of the pot - a sausage tube of clay approx. 1 meter in length, and molded as his foot turns the table
A damaged kiln
Finger painting a small pot
River drift wood collected for the kilns
Spirit house
ipad instructions for the young
Kiln still intact
Lead GLAZE - reported from batteries - how ever further research indicates this is not the case.
Fuel station
Monks with their food boxes
Watching the tourist
Local water pot, these were all over the village
Looked and smelt tasty - road side cooking, we call it bush cooking and camping
Home again
Lunch whilst we cruise back down river to Mingun Village
Teak logs no longer exported as they are now value added in Burma
Our cliff to visit or are they
Monk with a sling shot
Folding hats - very practical
Local taxi
Ah! they are not cliffs but in fact Mingun Pagoda, which was an attempt to be the worlds biggest temple by King Bodawphaya in the late 18th century. It is unfinished and has become the worlds biggest pile of 'BRICKS' after earth quakes in 1839.
The largest ringing bell in the world - weighing in at 90 tons, with a height of 12 feet and diameter of 16 feet 3 inches at the rim. Great chime by SUE!!
The Mya Thein Tan Pagoda - which looks like a wedding cake. built in 1816
Sue and Isabel - trying not to puff at the top of that stair climb
Barbara still climbing
IMPRESSIVE
Temples and Pagoda's every where you looked
Several old bronze statues that line the courtyard of the temple have a long history as war loot. They were originally Khmer statues, found at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and were taken to Ayutthaya in 1431 by the Siamese in 1564, the Burmese king Bayinnaung conquered Ayutthaya and took thirty such statues to Bago (Pegu). In 1599, King Razagri of Mrauk U invaded Bago and brought the statues to Mrauk U. Finally, Thado Minsaw took them to Amarapura in 1785. According to local belief, many more of these statues were brought from Arakan. However, King Thibaw melted many of them to cast cannons for fortification of his palace. Of the thirty statues Bayinnaung brought from Siam, only six remain today, and are displayed in the temple complex. They are a major attraction because of their purported healing qualities
The monastery is known for its teak carvings of Buddhist myths, which adorn its walls and roofs. The monastery is built in the traditional Burmese architectural style. Shwenandaw Monastery is the single remaining major original structure of the original Royal Palace today
Tim and me making sure it's correct!
Barge house slowly being dismantled. Why use rope as we have no pegs so just lay the washing on the river rocks, they are clean.
Bagan formerly Pagan) is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Burma (Myanmar). From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.The Bagan Archaeological Zone is a main draw for the country's nascent tourism industry. It is seen by many as equal in attraction to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.[1]
1st tour - The Shwesandaw Pagoda is a Buddist pagoda located in Bagan. The pagoda contains a series of five terraces, topped with a cylindrical stupa, which has a bejeweled umbrella . The pagoda was built by King Anawrathta in 1057. Enshrined within the pagoda are sacred hairs of Gautama Buddha , which were obtained from Thaton.
Gotama – West facing
Kakusandha – North facing
Konagamana – East facing
An unusual flower - now what was it called
Tree the flower develops from
Owen's steam tractor - donated to the NZ Steam Tractor Museum. One same as this used by his father at his timber mill and logging operations in NZ.
Street food - YUM!!
We are back - for our last dinner on the Katha Pandaw
Farewell to the crew
Our knuckle ride to Yangon - Yep! we got the front viewing seats - Sue get's bus sick in any other seating - not a pleasant sight or experience.
Right hand drive on a right hand road system is interesting journey
Yes! Our driver slowed for the Ducks.
Canada several years ago 2 fatalities caused by a driver whom slowed / stopped for ducks crossing the road - 7 years in jail.
Generator with gravity feed fuel supply from the tank on the right. This was one of our pee stops.
Our co-driver - all clear 'GOOD TO GO'
WWII cemetery
Opposition Party head quarters
Ong San Suukyi - residence
Our 5 star hotel - with a wedding in preparation
Down town Yangon
Impressive building
____ so is the down town traffic in Yangoon
Now down to only 8, for the Yangon tour
The Shwedagon Pagoda officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw, also known in English as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda, is a 99 meters (325 ft) gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.
Isabel, Zoe, Tim & Justine
Owen previously worked in Burma and kept in contact with the Thanda Naing - Operations Manager for the project. Thus we ended up with an enjoyable Thai meal across the road from our Hotel.
Now Thanda is managing her family.
Hotel pool side at night
Early AM and we are down for a quite breakfast and off via Thailand, to Australia.
Might as well relax whilst I am on the PHONE
Tyres on the move
Modern fire trucks
Happy couple
Happy ladies
your pick
Who's impersonating mickey
Curbside study - Mum's sell noodles
Our Pub for the night - very good and central, right opposite the train station
Evening meal at the hotel on the top floor - great views
The train station from our hotel roof deck - hotel room included breakfast
Rocky river bed??
Hand laid rocks for road base before the black top.
Walking off breakfast
Sterilized bowls
Neat hair style and he's proud of it
No hair and happy
Food every where
Charcoal vendor
Water delivery cart
Tyre repair depot
Eggs and chook (for non Aussies) poultry feed
Check out the nail polish
Time to find our cruise vessel, the hotel staff were excellent and nothing was any hassle and organized our driver
Our driver to Shew-kyet-yet Jetty
Yep, this is the Shew-kyet-yet Jetty - Eh, what jetty, river bank parking for Pandaw cruises departing Mandalay
We were the last to board and cast off was almost immediate. Introduction and safety briefing
Time to relax as we cruise up river to Inn Daung Village 58 Km.
Rice deliveries
Loaded - ? top heavy just as well no swell
Unique and interesting cliff face - more on this later
Our accommodation for the next 10 days
Lunch whilst we head up river to our 1st of many tours - Inn Daung Village - Terracotta brick
Locals out to meet us all
Ben who?
Takraw , or kick volleyball, the use of a rattan ball and only allowing players to use their feet, knee, chest and head to touch the ball. It is a popular sport in Southeast Asia.Ta craw
Well fed beast of burden
These fellows were having a great time playing a shell game, no computer games in sight
More beast feed
Typical spirit house on the houses, complete with the Sat. TV.
Very basic cooking fire on the floor.
Still motor with belts driven drive shaft - a Hondoid of sorts
Drying bricks
Working the clay
Digging the clay - when the clay pit runs out they relocate
Brick kiln
Now that's what you call a HAT!
More deliveries
Ben - with navigator
Early morning - it's cool to COLD for us tropic folks
Our 1st tour today - Nwe-nyein 40K's up river - Glazed pots.
Sat. dish tower in good order
Teak building
Home deliveries - breakfast
Flood protected on stumps
over 60 Kilns in the area - how ever last years earth quake damaged most of them
Lead, is one of the most commonly
used glazed ingredients. The mining slag, which is about 90% lead, comes
from the Baw Saing mines near Heho in the Southern Shan State. It is
first pounded into a fine powder, then mixed with water and sieved several
times by hand. The final glaze is a mixture of lead, clay, and rice
water. Lead has been used as the predominant glaze in Burma for over 1000
years.
Mya Thein Tan Pagoda or Hsinbyume Pagoda |
Mya Theindan Pagoda is also known as Hsinbyume Pagoda. It was built by King Bagyidaw in 1816, three years before he succeeded to the throne, in memory of his favourite wife the Hsinbyume Princess. It is situated on the northern side of Mingun just next to the Pahtodawgyi Pagoda. It is built as a representation of the Sulamani Pagoda and in accordance to the Buddhist cosmology, the Pagoda stands atop Mount Meru. The seven terraces around the pagoda represent the seven mountain ranges around Mount Meru. This pagoda was badly damaged in 1838 by an earth quake but King Mindon restored it in 1874. |
IMPRESSIVE
The Junta did improve the infrastructure - bridges for control
Tour of Mandalay
Our tour guide - San - very informative and interesting
Stone / Marble carvers - hundreds of them and thousands of Buddha images
Hand rubbing with grinding stone and wet silicone emery paper
Power tools in force
Relaxing in the sun on a cool morning
Nah! Sue's not going to last long squatting here, let alone the rubbing
Mahamuni Buddha image
The image is cast in bronze and weighs 6.5 tonnes and is erected on a 1.84 metres (6.0 ft) high pedestal and reaches a height of 3.82 metres (12.5 ft). Its shoulders measure 1.84 metres (6.0 ft) and its waist measures 2.9 metres (9.5 ft). It is draped in royal costumes with "Brahmanic cords and regalia crossing his chest". The image is crowned, bejeweled with diamonds, rubies and sappharies The left hand appears imprecise, unusually large, and is seen resting in the lap with an upturned palm. Gold leaves are regularly applied to the face of the Mahamuni Buddha by male devotees. Consequent to the frequent application of gold leaves, the coating of gold (thickness 15 centimeters (5.9 in) has given a shapeless contour to the Mahamuni image
The image is cast in bronze and weighs 6.5 tonnes and is erected on a 1.84 metres (6.0 ft) high pedestal and reaches a height of 3.82 metres (12.5 ft). Its shoulders measure 1.84 metres (6.0 ft) and its waist measures 2.9 metres (9.5 ft). It is draped in royal costumes with "Brahmanic cords and regalia crossing his chest". The image is crowned, bejeweled with diamonds, rubies and sappharies The left hand appears imprecise, unusually large, and is seen resting in the lap with an upturned palm. Gold leaves are regularly applied to the face of the Mahamuni Buddha by male devotees. Consequent to the frequent application of gold leaves, the coating of gold (thickness 15 centimeters (5.9 in) has given a shapeless contour to the Mahamuni image
Novitiation ceremony in progress
Several old bronze statues that line the courtyard of the temple have a long history as war loot. They were originally Khmer statues, found at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and were taken to Ayutthaya in 1431 by the Siamese in 1564, the Burmese king Bayinnaung conquered Ayutthaya and took thirty such statues to Bago (Pegu). In 1599, King Razagri of Mrauk U invaded Bago and brought the statues to Mrauk U. Finally, Thado Minsaw took them to Amarapura in 1785. According to local belief, many more of these statues were brought from Arakan. However, King Thibaw melted many of them to cast cannons for fortification of his palace. Of the thirty statues Bayinnaung brought from Siam, only six remain today, and are displayed in the temple complex. They are a major attraction because of their purported healing qualities
Of the thirty statues Bayinnaung brought from Siam, only six remain
today, and are displayed in the temple complex. They are a major
attraction because of their purported healing qualities
Street artist - razor blade drawings - clever
Interesting face
Our tour guide San with his new hat - very fashionable, and practical as it folds for easy packing
Gold leaf factory
Back breaking work - it's pounded thousands of times in a booklet of 50. Modern process is with hydraulic rollers
Even when these guys stood up they were bent - possibly doing it since childhood
Shwe Nandaw monastery
The building was originally part of the royal palace at Amarapura,
before it was moved to Mandalay, where it formed the northern section of
the Hmannan (Glass Palace) and part of the king's royal apartments. The building was heavily gilt with gold and adorned with glass mosaic work.The monastery is known for its teak carvings of Buddhist myths, which adorn its walls and roofs. The monastery is built in the traditional Burmese architectural style. Shwenandaw Monastery is the single remaining major original structure of the original Royal Palace today
No food blouse please
Carvings are in fact fastened onto the timber backing
Now that's no carving
Impressive and detailed
The moat around the Royal Palace with Mandalay Hill on the horizon
Closer view of the same
New Pandaw cruise ship - 8 cabins only = 16, with water drought of 18" for very shallow cruising into the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy and tributaries.
Escaped teak log being cut to size for transport
Relaxed or and hard night?
River crossing to the Anient city of Ava - 1364 - 1555
Our transport awaits
stump swing
No I am not permitted to drive - no liability insurance
No hands free phones here with reins in hands
He's loaded
Looks enticing
U Bein Bridge is a crossing that spans the Taungthaman Lake. The 1.2-kilometre (0.75 mi) bridge was built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and longest teak wood bridge in the world. Construction began when the capital of Ava Kingdom moved to Amarapura, and the bridge is named after the mayor who had it built.
Quite time
Bridge pedestrian shadow, good timing!!
Concrete is starting to replace the teak!
sampan ride and
Happy hour!
Any white will do!
Sun downers on the water
Okay - our Captain has to keep up with the new's
Isabel and Zoe
Don and Eileen
US!!
Sue posing
The Monks
Justine and Tim - Tourist every where - from our tour group
Next stop - silk weaving
Fascinating how it's all works
I would be going x-eyed with all the colours
Evening entertainment - Traditional dance and music
Day 4 - Yandabo - Pottery village, with 80% of the house hold involved directly in pottery.
Wooden stamp tool used to decorate the pots
More designs
Pots - fired by open method
Manual operated potting wheel, the arm chair looks comfortable
Hi tech this house, no hard wired power supply
Cooking fire rings
Beast of burden, bringing their own take away home
Pandaw and cruise guests sponsored school
Some of the kids
River traffic is starting to get busier
Impressive bridges every 50 - 80 k's
Will it help - it does in fact impart a cooling effect.
Thanaka is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of Burma seen commonly applied to the face and sometimes the arms of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys. It has a fragrant scent somewhat similar to sandalwood. The creamy paste is applied to the face in attractive designs, the most common form being a circular patch on each cheek.
Thanaka is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of Burma seen commonly applied to the face and sometimes the arms of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys. It has a fragrant scent somewhat similar to sandalwood. The creamy paste is applied to the face in attractive designs, the most common form being a circular patch on each cheek.
That dinner done! with no cooking or dishes!! Lunch and evening meals all sit down affairs, with orders taken at Breakfast and at lunch time for respective meals.
Our breakfast team
Our breakfast team
Eggs to order!
Yes! some folks also up as early as us!!
Check out the blue sat. dish and red generator. After all it is HOME!
These folks also had their home on this bamboo barge
Day - 5 Bagan or Pagan - Now this is a fancy bus
Check out the driver controls
Barge house slowly being dismantled. Why use rope as we have no pegs so just lay the washing on the river rocks, they are clean.
Bagan formerly Pagan) is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Burma (Myanmar). From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.The Bagan Archaeological Zone is a main draw for the country's nascent tourism industry. It is seen by many as equal in attraction to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.[1]
1st tour - The Shwesandaw Pagoda is a Buddist pagoda located in Bagan. The pagoda contains a series of five terraces, topped with a cylindrical stupa, which has a bejeweled umbrella . The pagoda was built by King Anawrathta in 1057. Enshrined within the pagoda are sacred hairs of Gautama Buddha , which were obtained from Thaton.
Reclining Buddha
Majestic overall size
Majestic overall size
It's a steep climb
Magic views
Even better subjects - 555
Worse coming down with the brakes on
Entrance to the court yard of Dhamayangyi Temple
Dhamayangyi Temple
Buddhist temple the largest of all the temples in Bagan, the Dhammayan as it is popularly known was built during the reign of King Narathu (1167-1170). Narathu, who came to the throne by assassinating his father and his elder brother, presumably built this largest temple to atone for his sins.
Dhamayangyi Temple
Dhamayangyi Temple
Buddhist temple the largest of all the temples in Bagan, the Dhammayan as it is popularly known was built during the reign of King Narathu (1167-1170). Narathu, who came to the throne by assassinating his father and his elder brother, presumably built this largest temple to atone for his sins.
Dhamayangyi Temple
Some of the Buddha images within the
Dhamayangyi Temple
Dhamayangyi Temple
Puppets
Thanaka - cosmetic application complete with Micky Mouse
Baskets
Lac-aware
Ananda Temple
is a Buddhism temple built in 1105 AD. It is one of four surviving temples in Bagan. The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella known as hti, which is the name of the umbrella or top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar. The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas, each one facing the cardinal direction of East, North, West and South.
Kassapa – South facing
Ananda Temple
is a Buddhism temple built in 1105 AD. It is one of four surviving temples in Bagan. The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella known as hti, which is the name of the umbrella or top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar. The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas, each one facing the cardinal direction of East, North, West and South.
Kassapa – South facing
Kakusandha – North facing
Konagamana – East facing
Door entrance carving
Care full down those steep stairs, it's harder with the brakes on coming down than going UP!
Care full down those steep stairs, it's harder with the brakes on coming down than going UP!
We return for lunch and the Bamboo house raft is almost dismantled
No expense spared on the moorings
River rock deliveries
More clothes drying on the CLEAN river rocks
Back on the PURPLE BUS!
Bamboo braclet
Manual lathe
Lacquer-ware at it's extreme
Also make and sell umbrella's
Gubyaukgyi Temple - Gu Byauk Gyi is famous for the fabulous frescoes that
cover its interior walls. Much of the walls are covered with such
murals. On the northern and southern walls of the temple are frescoes
showing the Gautama (or Gotama) Buddha receiving prophesy from earlier
Buddhas. Lining the wall below this are another set of scenes from
stories on the birth of the Buddha.
Then it's sun set at North Guni Temple
Water deliveries - no reticulated water scheme here
Myauk Guni Temple is also located in Old Bagan. It was built by the
Queen Pwasaw during the reign of King Narathihapate or the Tayoke Pye
Min. Queen Pwasaw was a powerful Queen in the Bagan history. A stone
inscription was found inside the temple describing about the donation of
the temple, land and slaves by the Queen.
DAY 6 - Tant Kyi Village across the Irrawaddy river from Bagan
Fully booked for the Balloon flights when we inquired, $300 for an hours flight with champagne breakfast. Total of 13 balloons now operate at Bagan - with 12 in the air on this occasion.
Jeep tour to the top of the hill to tour Tant-kyi Hilltop Pagoda
Fuel deliveries soon to arrive
Our Jeep
This one complete with sun visor DVD player
View of the Irrawaddy
Tantkyitaung Pagoda is a prominent Burmese Buddhist pagoda near the historic city of Bagan, believed to enshrine four tooth relics of Gautama Buddha.Tantkyitaung Pagoda is 90 feet (27 m) high with the base of 60 feet (18 m). Its nine tiers of umbrella contains a silver vane and the diamond bud.
Boing, Boing, Boing!!!
This is very typical of the vegetation down the Irrawaddy
Recycling at it's best or worst - take away food container, trust they hot water clean at least?
Posing, don't slide off the steps!
More steep stairs
Oil pipe line above the bridge
Oh! no - not to close
Elephant dance - bamboo framed paper-mache
The man in the Elephant - it was heavy!
Oil drillers -
Oil fields abandoned by Burma’s state-owned oil company in Magway Division have turned into a lawless arena for local drillers and smugglers looking for a profit—with knife fights settling scores between rival drillers, company officials and local residents say.
The Dahatpin oil fields, on a highway about 20 miles outside Minhla Township, was once controlled by the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) in a joint venture, but has recently become a magnet for illegal drillers and crude oil sellers.
“There were two oil fields under our supervision, but now the joint venture is gone and we’re not working there anymore. It’s being explored illegally,” the company’s deputy engineer in the Minhla Township told The Irrawaddy.
Thawzin, an oil driller from Htankai village, said people from many different regions were trying their luck at the two fields, which are 25 miles wide.
“There are more than 40,000 small oil wells here.
Power transmission towers, oil wells
Oil wells and drilling operations
Tank farm and oil barges
Oil river pilot
Bit of a worry! his preferred luggage bag, will not mistake it.
Oil delivery
No fuss 7/11
Old colonial building - abandon
All village houses are required to a ladder and a bag pole
for roof fire suppression
Drying peanuts
Majestic in it's day
I-pad in over drive by Justine
Relaxing with the locals
Could not resist - almost whipped a couple
Simple is best
Happy transport
So no more!!
Kid's are very friendly and happy
Taking a spell, no! we are waiting for the Bus - dream on!
Yoke sone kyaung monastery - carving
Yoke sone kyaung monastery
Mann Phaya a lacquer Buddha, salvage by town folk during a flood in 1888 in Salay
Kids are the same all over the world
Long walk home with the water ladies
Day 7 - Magway we climb the river bank to our awaiting trishaw driver and wend our way through a labyrinth of
passages and paths to reach the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda.
Good to go!
Ah! Fresh veggies, check out the scales
HONLEI - It's a Chinese HONDA
Look closer - Yep! it's on some one's head!
It's a fair hike from the low river level to the street market
Hand made washer to keep the bearings in place.
Locals taking photo's of the tourist - Sue in blue checking it out.
They insisted in getting a photo with the tourist,
only too happy to oblige
Thongs to sit on and good lighting to peel the garlic
Myat-thalon Pagoda. This pagoda is constructed with solid gold bricks.
Another reclining Buddha
Pagodas with temples
More bells - Boing x 3
River bank food
Magway Bridge
Day 8 - Magway market
Hi tech scales here in one of the oldest market in Burma
Tri-shaw tour
General Aung San in a park of the same name. Aung San, founded the modern Burmese army and negotiated Burma's independence from the British Empire in 1947; he was assassinated by his rivals in the same year.
Aung San was the father of Ong San Suu Kyi whom is
opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burma. In the 1990 general election, the NLD won 59% of the national votes and 81% (392 of 485) of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained under house arrest before the elections. She remained under house arrest in Burma for almost 15 of the 21 years from 20 July 1989 until her most recent release on 13 November 2010, becoming one of the world's most prominent political prisoners.
Good load of teak logs
Min Hla Fortress - 1860 - 1861 These are two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay
from Royal Burmah. These were captured by the British in the 3rd Anglo
Burmese War. The fight for the Minhla redoubt was the only serious
action in the war and the death of a young subaltern inspired Kipling to
write a poem. Gwechaung, the more impressive of the forts was captured
from the rear before the Burnese could turn the guns around.
Turning up retainers for the the oil lift PVC pipe. The wooden disc is inserted into the PVC pipe with a leather disc nail one side, this act's as a one way valve.
Valve disc's
Leather punch - well used
This is a 1st, wind power and check out the hill side vegitation.
He/ She will not bite!! Then again it's Sue's hand!! Not mine!
Brian jogging to raise more funds for our combined contributions to the Pandaw school we will be visiting.
The fish markets
Yes! it's cold in the AM.
One of the oldest markets in Burma, founded in 1869 and still thriving.
Leather belt repair - checkout the foot powered vice.
Our next stop via horse cart an orphanage at the Baptist Church
Very studious - no interruptions please
Wooden house and bell tower
Impressive
Who would have associated Burma with one of the oldest Golf Course's
5 possible birdies = 0
We all missed the birdie 30' PUTT!
Brians still running, with Sue providing some light entertainment
Preparing the ground for an irrigated crop
Offerings to the Monks!
Black smith at work - Red hot - now cooling blades
Red hot with chisel cutter
Windows to the world
Sisiyan village school supported by Pandaw Cruise customers
Our tour group collected US$343 which will go a long way to providing equipment and books for the children
Brian accepting our contribution certificate from the Principal
The children
Australia is on the board with a 3rd of the country represented at DESERT, or at best 1 person every 100 square K
Typical school room - very basic, but functional
Tim's going back to school!
Live stock and locals all get a wash
Captain at the controls
Day 10 - Pyay formally Prome - est. population 500,000
Guardian lions at the entrance of Shwesandaw Pagoda,
we took the lift tower on the right
Shwesandaw Pagoda - sitting Buddha
The pagoda contains a series of five terraces, topped with a cylindrical stupa, which has a bejeweled umbrella (hti).
It has a height of 127ft (39m) high and standing on the plinth making a total measurement of 290ft (88m) from the base.
Enshrined within the pagoda are four strands of sacred hair as well as eight other relies of Gautama Buddha
More Bells - Boing! x 3
Phayagyi Pagoda
Phayagyi is the common name. Its official title is Yadanathiri Mahar Pagoda. The oldest pagoda, in Myanmar, which still retains its original size, shape and design is one of the three at Sre Kestra, an old Pyu City State (1st to 9th century A.D), near the modern town of Pye (Prome), about 180 miles to the north of Yangon.
DAY 6 - Tant Kyi Village across the Irrawaddy river from Bagan
Tantkyitaung Pagoda is a prominent Burmese Buddhist pagoda near the historic city of Bagan, believed to enshrine four tooth relics of Gautama Buddha.Tantkyitaung Pagoda is 90 feet (27 m) high with the base of 60 feet (18 m). Its nine tiers of umbrella contains a silver vane and the diamond bud.
The man in the Elephant - it was heavy!
Oil fields abandoned by Burma’s state-owned oil company in Magway Division have turned into a lawless arena for local drillers and smugglers looking for a profit—with knife fights settling scores between rival drillers, company officials and local residents say.
The Dahatpin oil fields, on a highway about 20 miles outside Minhla Township, was once controlled by the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) in a joint venture, but has recently become a magnet for illegal drillers and crude oil sellers.
“There were two oil fields under our supervision, but now the joint venture is gone and we’re not working there anymore. It’s being explored illegally,” the company’s deputy engineer in the Minhla Township told The Irrawaddy.
Thawzin, an oil driller from Htankai village, said people from many different regions were trying their luck at the two fields, which are 25 miles wide.
“There are more than 40,000 small oil wells here.
for roof fire suppression
Kid's are very friendly and happy
only too happy to oblige
Myat-thalon Pagoda. This pagoda is constructed with solid gold bricks.
Aung San was the father of Ong San Suu Kyi whom is
opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burma. In the 1990 general election, the NLD won 59% of the national votes and 81% (392 of 485) of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained under house arrest before the elections. She remained under house arrest in Burma for almost 15 of the 21 years from 20 July 1989 until her most recent release on 13 November 2010, becoming one of the world's most prominent political prisoners.
5 possible birdies = 0
Brian won by a small margin on my left
Clinging to the river bank, these trees could tell some stories
Brian accepting our contribution certificate from the Principal
Day 10 - Pyay formally Prome - est. population 500,000
Guardian lions at the entrance of Shwesandaw Pagoda,
we took the lift tower on the right
Shwesandaw Pagoda - sitting Buddha
Enshrined within the pagoda are four strands of sacred hair as well as eight other relies of Gautama Buddha
Phayagyi is the common name. Its official title is Yadanathiri Mahar Pagoda. The oldest pagoda, in Myanmar, which still retains its original size, shape and design is one of the three at Sre Kestra, an old Pyu City State (1st to 9th century A.D), near the modern town of Pye (Prome), about 180 miles to the north of Yangon.
Owen's steam tractor - donated to the NZ Steam Tractor Museum. One same as this used by his father at his timber mill and logging operations in NZ.
Right hand drive on a right hand road system is interesting journey
Canada several years ago 2 fatalities caused by a driver whom slowed / stopped for ducks crossing the road - 7 years in jail.
____ so is the down town traffic in Yangoon
The Shwedagon Pagoda officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw, also known in English as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda, is a 99 meters (325 ft) gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.
Isabel, Zoe, Tim & Justine
Now Thanda is managing her family.
