This is the third and last part of our Myanmar trip last November 2016. Sorry for the long delay but here it goes..
After resting at the hotel, we decided to come out to explore the market in Bagan. Our hotel was a bit far but they didn't hesitate to arrange a car to take us to the market and explore it.
We went into the market and looked around. Very much like the markets back in the Philippines with tiny stalls and a lot of products for sale ranging from longyi, food and souvenirs. We then ate lunch and attempted to locate the riverside bar that was on the map but we got LOST. We ended up watching the sunset on the riverbanks.
We were afraid to be lost further so we retraced our steps and went back to where we can ride a taxi back to the hotel.
The next day, we asked our helpful hotel staff to get us a taxi for a temple tour and to drop us to the bus station after. This was a good idea as we've checked out of the hotel by noon. The rate given was around 25,000 kyat (20 USD) for 1 car. Not bad.
First temple we visited was Shwezigon Pagoda. It was said that this was built to enshrine one of the four replicas of the Buddha tooth in Sri Lanka. It was also built to mark the northern edge of the city.
Traveling tip: some temples can allow you to bring your footwear if you put it into a plastic bag. It is best to have wet tissue ready. Some won't allow you to bring them but just don't leave them near souvenir shops otherwise you will be somehow forced to browse their products and later on buy at least one.
Next up was Hitlominlo Temple. It's a large majestic temple 46 meters high and was restored after being affected in the 1975 earthquake.
Small Buddha images are enshrined in the walls of the arched entrances.
The terraces are closed so it is no longer possible to climb to the top. I think they have been doing restoration at the time of our visit.
As with other temples, there are souvenir stalls surrounding this Pagoda with sellers eager to offer souvenirs to visitors.
We headed off to Ananda Phaya after.
This is one of Bagan's best known and most beautiful temples. It is well preserved and is one of the first great temples built in Bagan. This was also damaged during the 1975 earthquake.
The temple has 4 majestic Buddhas that are adorned with gold leaves. Each one is facing a specific direction. They each have their own name and are thought to represent each state of Nirvana.
This entrance leads to a huge reclining Buddha in Manuha Phaya. I did not expect to see a huge Buddha from the very small path. It seems as if it was cramped. It is said that a captive King was allowed to build this temple and these represents the stress and lack of comfort he had to endure.
Tired of walking, we rested in one of the benches outside the temple and took in the view of this small pagoda.
Actually, I lost my list of temples when we were about to start our temple tour. So, we had to rely at the kind driver's heart on what temples are worth our time. We wondered why he was driving through tiny and bushy roads. Then we saw this lovely view of Dhammayangyi temple. The driver asked us if we want to stop the car to take a photo. We were so happy to do that and ended up walking towards the temple instead of driving all the way. It is the largest temple on the plains of Bagan and from a distance resembles an Egyptian pyramid.
On closer look in one of the entrances of the pagoda are hanging dolls which may seem eerie at first. It was not that bad as this is one livelihood of locals and they made use of hanging branches to display their goods.
It is said that the king who built this temple killed his own father and brother to become the king. Because he was afraid of bad karma, he built this huge place to gain merit and compensate for the killings. It was believed that he was killed by invaders from Sri Lanka.
Sellers of sand paintings can also be seen in some entrances.
I had a good time walking around the temple and its grounds. It was very picturesque. But some parts seem to be ruined or maybe unfinished since the temple was built. The brick work of the temple was nicely done. There is a story that the kind had the laborers killed or chopped off with hands if the work was not done perfectly.
The last but not the least temple we went to was the Pyathadar Temple. This is a popular place to watch the sunset and quite near from the Dhammayangyi Temple. If one is hungry or thirsty or wanting to shop first before watching the sunset, they don't have to go far as stalls are right outside and in front of the temple.
Pyathadar or also called Pyathatgi Temple was built in the first half of the 13th century. It enshrines several large sitting and standing images of the Buddha.
We were confused on how to get to the top terrace but thankfully found the stairs at the back of the Pagoda.
People were already there way ahead than us and already chose the prime spots to watch the sunset. Some even positioned with their cameras ready. We chose to just walk around and see things from different directions. We met this nice Myanmar kid who speaks good English. He is here in the temple to sell post cards and sand paintings with his brother.
View from the top terrace before the sunset.
A few minutes later, the sun began to go down and different lovely hues covered the sky. We can see country animals herded for home below and a small traffic for the tourists who are rushing to come up from where we are. Cameras flashing and clicking can be heard all around as people wanted to record the lovely moment.
It was a perfect ending for the short trip. We then headed out to eat dinner and caught our bus back to Yangon.
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