A day out from Yangon had unexpected results.
The lake behind Aung San Suu Kyi's home.
Aung San Suu Kyi's house.
Taukkyan War Cemetery.
Shwemawdaw Paya
Part of the original structure was toppled during an earthquake and the new stupa was built around the original.
A huge Burmese python (17foot long and a foot wide) at the snake monastery.
At Hintha Gon, we were fascinated by the nats (spirit beings). This temple is well known for nat worship and we were lucky enough to see a nat ceremony in action. Little did we know that this was the first of three different ceremonies we were to see.
Shwethalyaung's 180foot long reclining Buddha.
Even though this 250foot long Buddha is new (2002), I much preferred it. Unlike the Buddha above, this one is out in the open air.
On the journey homewards, we came across the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in full swing. I have seen this several times in Singapore, but what a treat to see it unexpectedly in Myanmar.
Devotees skewer their bodies with hooks and skewers without anaesthetic, then parade through the streets.
Some devotees pull little carts behind them, which are hooked onto their backs.
Not only is this man pulling a cart, he also has limes hooked onto his body too.
Devotees also have these elaborate frames skewered into their bodies (each metal pole is a skewer).
The frames were beautifully decorated.
Having experienced two ceremonies, we were excited to come across yet another one on the way home, this time a Buddhist one. All the most beautiful women in the village paraded in their best clothes.
Young boys who were entering the monkhood rode on horses accompanied by other men and boys.
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