Temples, worlds biggest book, gold leaf workshop, and orphanage….fascinating.  The worlds largest book is the teachings of Buddha published on huge granite slabs, one page per slab.  The orphanage was a pleasant place run by nuns and adopted by our tour company, OAT.  The 100 girls ranged in age from 18 months to 35 years.  

Still trying to load some pics from our hot air balloon ride, here goes…

Last day in Bagan ..:..it began with a sunrise view of balloons from our balcony, a horse drawn wagon ride thru the temples, visit with a family that makes palm sugar and various products from the sugar and a beautiful sunset view.

Balloons over bagan

Loading pics have been difficult with the slow WiFi in Bagan, Myanmar. So this will be a narrative of what we’ve done and our trip leader says WiFi will be better in Mandalay tomorrow.

Yesterday we enjoyed a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the temples , it was fantastic. We visited an artist at his studio/home. His medium is sand painting… beautiful work. Today we took a horse drawn buggy trip on a sight seeing journey with stops at several temples. Three of us went to the only golf course here and now it’s off to a sunset happy hour.

We got to experience the old train in Yangon. Glad to have our trip leader lead the way. Then we walked thru a local market , great experience…:. Duck parts

New country, new guide. Bunny is an enthusiastic guide, speaks great English and very happy to share her country. A Chinese New Year celebration at the hotel as we arrived was a noisy, exciting welcome. Then it was pagodas, reclining Buddha , tri shaw ride and cheap beer!

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First stop was the handicraft market. We learned about silk…..from worms to dyed silk thread. This same facility makes paper from tree bark.

Then it was a “long boat” ride on the Mekong. We stopped at a village that makes moonshine, a cave full of Buddhas that dates back to 1600, and a nice lunch on the boat.

The day ended with a meeting with a monk and a novice monk. Very interesting Q and A session. Then we got a blessing and listened to afternoon chants.the tea in the blue mug is made from silk worm dung! It tasted like Lipton tea!

We had a great day! We joined the locals at 630 am for the Alms giving to local monks. We sat curbside, barefoot, each with a wicker basket full of warm rice. As the monks walked by we put an egg size ball of rice in their pot. The locals do this everyday.

Next was the morning market. This is where locals shop for their food and other supplies.

Then it was off to a village. We met the mayor and his wife, the head woman. The mayor gave us a walking tour. They are proud of there school, their homes, and the weaving center. We saw a small sawmill and black smith at work.

We also had a visit with a local healer or shaman. The Shaman used a cross bow for hunting small game(rats and birds). He put poison on the arrow to down deer with the same small arrow. He als demo’d an old classic Laotian wind instrument.

Temples, stupa, dragon ladies , victory monument and a DQ. A busy day in Vientiane, Laos.