MINGUN AND MORE

IMAGES ADDED THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 UPON ARRIVAL BACK IN RANGOON

In the late eighteenth century King Bodawpaya decided to build the kingdom's (and the world's) largest pagoda upriver from his palace complex in Mandalay. His death in 1819, however, brought an end to the project, and an earthquake a couple of decades later left the extant structure so unstable as to prevent any consideration of continuing the undertaking. Nowadays travelers cruise up the Irrawaddy to view what some have deemed “the world's largest pile of bricks” and to visit the world's second largest bronze bell (which was to be installed in the completed pagoda) and a nearby blindingly white pagoda honoring the King's favorite queen. The boat ride itself was pleasant and much appreciated as well, a welcomed chance to sit back and relax in the midst of a busy sightseeing agenda.

Back in Mandalay, the tour continued on to Mahamuni Paya, a temple housing a Buddha covered in gold leaf several inches thick. This particular statue was looted from Angkor Wat in Cambodia by the Thai and subsequently lost to the Burmese as a result of later military conflict. The well-traveled image is among the three most sacred in Burma; numerous pilgrims make their way to worship it, to offer prayers of supplication or thanksgiving or to perform various rituals.

Even though Burma is in the final days of Buddhist Lent, some families appeared at Mahamuni Paya while we were there to dedicate their children to the faith, an elaborate celebration involving special dress for the kids, a procession to the temple to present offerings to the monks and a feast prior to the girls having ears pierced and the boys having heads shaved (before a week of instruction for the boys at the temple).

We also stopped to see some bronze casting and gold leaf pounding demonstrations before returning to our hotel. Clearly, we're out to see and experience as much as can be packed into a single day!

Unfortunately Heidi had been laid low by some mysterious microbe, so Lee had to make the day's journey alone while she slept away the hours back in our hotel. Recovery was swift and complete, however, so we're back together and on the road as a team once again..