Public transportation and ride sharing takes on a whole new meaning in this country.
Not too far out of Bagan one runs into the farmers and getting glimpse of their way of life.
Just about every small farm we passed on the road had this arrangement for grinding peanuts to extract the oil.
Most farms had palm trees and most of those trees had the buckets at the top to collect palm oil.
This woman had boiled down the palm oil to get this solidified mixture to make individual candies.
You see these candies at all the markets.
More farmers along the way to Mt. Popa.
Some girls selling some crystallized rocks at this spot where people stop to get good view of Mt. Popa 4,980 ft high and Taung Kalat 2,400 ft.
Taung Kalat (pedestal hill)is a short ways from Mt. Popa and is a Buddhist monastery built on top of this volcanic outcrop. 777 steps takes you to the top.
You pass a bunch of monkeys along the way to the top. And being a religious building you have to leave your shoes before you head up. Needless to say we washed our feet a couple of times that night. We also opted not to go to the top - we had great views from the restaurant where we stopped to eat.
When we got back to Bagan we were reluctant to go to the lacquer ware workshop but so glad we did. This town has three such workshops and known for the amazing bamboo crafted bowls, plates, jewelry etc. and all the stunning artwork that adorns these pieces.
And none of these artists where glasses - just an observation.
One more temple before the sunset that night.
Location:Bagan, Myanmar
Wow! The monastary at the top! Love the monkeys! And where does all the gold come from?
ReplyDeletePeanuts and palm oil -- who knew? -- and crystallized rock. What do they do with the rocks?
ReplyDeleteTaung Kalat is incredible!