HOW WE USED TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
2020.12.24.
We got off work early for Christmas Eve. Some restaurants were about to close as we picked up our takeout from a small Japanese restaurant in Tai Hang. In Hong Kong, no restaurant is allowed to serve customers (except takeouts) after 6pm. No countdown events, Christmas parties or family gatherings. Just a simple dinner at home for the two of us seemed to be the most appropriate Christmas Eve celebration for this unusual year. 2020 is an extraordinary year. I can hardly recall another incident in my lifetime that has simultaneously affected virtually every single human being in the world. The terrible pandemic is forcing all of us to face the same fear, frustration and isolation. Most planes have been grounded, borders shut, and international tourism has almost come to a complete halt. This abrupt disruption to our lives lead us to realize that celebrating a festive moment with families and friends or spending the holiday season at a foreign land shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Memory is interesting when it works with time. At this bizarre moment of frustrating lock downs and social distancing, a recollection of how we had spent Christmas and New Year in the past two decades remind us how we used to freely experience the world and appreciate every little things around us. Looking beyond the vivid fireworks and lavish parties, it was our curiosity, freedom and gratefulness that allowed these joyful moments to simply make us happy in different stages of our lives. At this time of physical restrictions and emotional stress, looking back at these little moments of ours have become more precious than ever. Everyone deserves memories of celebrations that worth cherishing. Hope our little sharing would remind you some of your own best moments of Christmas.
We wish you Merry Christmas and good health for the upcoming 2021.
Rome, December 2002
Rome, December 2002
Vatican, December 2002
Rome, December 2002
Brussels, Christmas Eve, 2007
London, December 2007
London, England, January 2008
London, December 2008
Leeds, England, December 2008
Toronto, December 2010
Siem Reap, New Year’s Eve 2011
Toronto, New Year’s Eve 2012
Ushuaia, December 2013
Ushuaia, December 2013
Mount Fitz Roy, Christmas Eve 2013
Valparaiso, New Year’s Day 2014
Main Station, Taipei, Christmas Day 2014
Hong Kong, Christmas Eve 2015
Hong Kong, New Year’s Eve 2015
Railway Station, Kyoto, December 2016
Kyoto, December 2016
Kyoto, December 2016
Yangon, December 2017
Yangon, December 2017
Shanghai, December 2018
Negombo, December 2019
Tai Kwun, Hong Kong, December 2019
Landmark, Hong Kong, December 2020
Hong Kong, December 2020
DAY 1 (1/5): IN TRANSIT TO RAJASTHAN, India, 2018.11.24
Known as the “Land of Marahaja” where Princes and Raiputs once led extravagant lives in palaces and castles of One Thousand and One Nights, the desert state of Rajasthan in Northwestern India is the most popular tourist destination in India. In this incredible land of rich heritage, aromatic cuisines, ornate havelis, and lavish palaces, we were never far away from the stories of Rajputs and Princes, tales of desert caravans, exotic landscapes of the Thar Desert, elegant monuments of Hinduism, Jainism and Islam, and bits and pieces of the bygone glory of the British Raj. India is well known for its vivid colours. With “blue city” Jodphur, “pink city” Jaipur, or “golden city” Jaisalmer, nowhere in the country is more elaborate in bright colours than Rajasthan.
In 2016 we made a trip to Ladakh, the mountainous region in Northern India dotted with Tibetan lamaseries along the Indus Valley. It was a pleasant journey in early summer when most of the Indian Subcontinent was baked in scorching heat. This time in late 2018, we opted to experience the Classic India in the mild and sunny winter. In 11 fascinating days, we ventured out west from Delhi, the Indian capital into Rajasthan for an extended version of the Golden Triangle route. Undoubtedly the most popular tourist circuit in India, the Golden Triangle connects Delhi with the Rajasthani capital Jaipur and Agra, the former Mughal capital where the iconic Taj Mahal has proudly stood for almost 400 years. Our second Indian journey began with a 6-hour evening flight from Hong Kong to Delhi.
We began our Rajasthani journey from Jodhpur, then headed to Jaisalmer via Osian, the westernmost point of our journey. From Jaisalmer, we hopped back eastwards first to Pushkar by night train, and then Jaipur the pink city. A hired taxi brought us further eastwards to Agra via Bhangarh Fort, Chand Baori step well in Abhaneri, and the abandoned Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sakri. After keeping our fingers crossed and seeing the magnificent Taj Mahal without any scaffolding, we returned to the Indian capital to take on what we had left two years ago, to explore the city’s Mughal attractions.
Our evening flight brought us westwards from Hong Kong, passing by big and small cities along the way. At one point, we came close to the Myanmarese city Mandalay.
From the mouth of Meghna River in the Bay of Bengal, our plane turned northwest to follow what could be the famous Ganges River, and passed by a myriad of rural villages along the way.
After about six hours on the plane, the first thing welcomed us in Delhi was its infamous smog.
After staying the night at a hotel in the Aerocity, we returned to the airport for our domestic flight going to Jodhpur. The elephant statues in the departure hall was a popular selfie spot in the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
At the departure concourse of Delhi Airport, we had a sandwich and coffee at Costa Coffee.
A large sculpture with statues making yoga poses was another popular selfie spot at the gate concourse.
From above, the Suburban Delhi looked greener than we thought.
At this time of the year (early winter), it would hardly be a day without sunny weather in Northern India.
As we headed west into the desert state of Rajasthan, arid landscape gradually came into sight.
An hour’s flight took us to Jodhpur, the famous blue city of Rajasthan.
The Jodhpur Airport has a simple passenger terminal.
At the exit gateway of the airport terminal, we met our driver prearranged with our hotel Pal Haveli.
Outside the car window, we had our first glimpse of the urban scenery in Rajasthan.
Tuk tuks were everywhere in the busy streets of Jodphur. We reached Pal Haveli Hotel in about 15 minutes.
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Posts on 2018 Rajasthan:-
Day 1: Jodhpur
DAY 1.1: IN TRANSIT TO RAJASTHAN
DAY 1.2: PAL HAVELI & THE OMELETTE MAN, Jodhpur
DAY 1.3: SPLENDOR OF THE SUN FORT, Mehrangarh, Jodhpur
DAY 1.4: SUNSET OVER THE BLUE CITY, Mehrangarh, Jodhpur
DAY 1.5: SADAR MARKET AND GHANTA GHAR CLOCKTOWER, Jodhpur
Day 2: Jodhpur, Osian, Jaisalmer
DAY 2.1: MARBLE CENOTAPH JASWANT THADA, Jodhpur
DAY 2.2: MEDIEVAL STEPWELLS, Mahila Bagh Ka Jhalra, Gulab Sagar, & Toorji Ka Jhalra, Jodhpur
DAY 2.3: PILGRIM OASIS IN THAR DESERT, Sachiya Mata Temple, Osian
DAY 2.4: SUNRISE AT THE FIRST GATE OF GOLDEN FORT, Jaisalmer
Day 3: Jaisalmer
DAY 3.1: THE GOLDEN LIVING FORT, Jaisalmer
DAY 3.2: JAIN TEMPLES PART 1, Jaisalmer
DAY 3.3: JAIN TEMPLES PART 2, Jaisalmer
DAY 3.4: FORT PALACE, Jaisalmer
Day 4: Jaisalmer
DAY 4.1: RESERVOIR OF THE GOLDEN CITY, Gadsisar Lake, Jaisalmer
DAY 4.2: ARCHITECTURAL JEWEL OF RAJASTHAN, Patwon Ki Haveli Part 1, Jaisalmer
DAY 4.3: ARCHITECTURAL JEWEL OF RAJASTHAN, Patwon Ki Haveli Part 2, Jaisalmer
DAY 4.4: DESERT HERITAGE, Hotel Nachana Haveli and Thar Heritage Museum, Jaisalmer
DAY 4.5: LAST STROLL IN THE GOLDEN CITY, Jaisalmer
Day 5: Pushkar
DAY 5.1: RANIKHET EXPRESS
DAY 5.2: 52 BATHING GHATS, Pushkar
DAY 5.3: SUNSET OVER SACRED WATER, Pushkar
Day 6: Pushkar & Jaipur
DAY 6.1: SUNRISE OVER PUSHKAR LAKE, Pushkar
DAY 6.2: GRANDEUR OF THE MAHARAJA, City Palace, Jaipur
DAY 6.3: IN SEARCH OF 1860 CARL ZEISS CAMERA, Jaipur
Day 7: Jaipur
DAY 7.1: AMBER FORT, Jaipur
DAY 7.2: JAIGARH FORT, Jaipur
DAY 7.3: MAHARAJA’S ASTRONOMICAL LEGACY, Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
DAY 7.4: PALACE OF WINDS, Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Day 8: Bhangarh, Abhaneri & Agra
DAY 8.1: ON THR ROAD TO AGRA
DAY 8.2: HAUNTED RUINS, Bhangarh, Rajasthan
DAY 8.3: CHAND BAORI, Abhaneri, Rajasthan
DAY 8.4: THE ABANDONED CAPITAL OF MUGHAL EMPIRE, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
DAY 8.5: FRIDAY MOSQUE, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Day 9: Agra
DAY 9.1: CROWN OF THE PALACES, Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
DAY 9.2: AGRA FORT, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
DAY 9.3: RAWATPARA SPICE MARKET, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
DAY 9.4: SUNSET AT MEHTAB BAGH, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Day 10: Delhi
DAY 10.1: TRAIN 12627, Agra to Delhi
DAY 10.2 : HUMAYUN’S TOMB, Delhi
Day 10.3: NIZAMUDDIN BASTI, Delhi
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR, 2017.12.26
On the last day of our Burmese trip, we got up early in the morning to take a stroll in the Nyaung-U neighbourhood before heading to the airport. With less than an hour to spare, we decided to find our own way to revisit the Shwezigon Paya, the largest temple in Nyaung-U. Assisted by Google Map, we headed into the peaceful residential neighborhood of Nyaung-U. It was 7 in the morning, the light was soft and the air peaceful in the residential streets. Without much trouble we reached Shwezigon Paya. Vendors were busily preparing their stalls at the temple entrances while local worshipers were already arriving in clusters. Foreign tourists had yet arrived but the temple was already quite lively. Without a guide this time, we had the freedom to wander around the temple to absorb the spiritual atmosphere and take photographs. Keeping our departure time in mind, we headed back to Oasis Hotel via the same route. We had a quick sip of coffee at Oasis before the taxi arrived. At the airport, we soon found out that there was an issue with the incoming aircraft and our 9am flight was delayed until 11:30am. We chose to stay at the airport to write postcards and waited for further news. Fortunately the aircraft did arrive and we had no trouble to catch our connecting flight at Yangon back to Hong Kong.
That concludes the posts on our 3-day trip to Myanmar in December 2017.
At 7am, we walked into a quiet residential neighborhood of Nyaung-U heading towards Shwezigon Paya, the largest temple in Nyaung-U.
Finding our way with Google Map on our phone, we passed by small shops and streets out of the tourist areas.
In the early hours, the town was extremely peaceful and there were hardly any people on the street.
As we approached the town largest temple, we could see much more activities on the street.
We arrived at Shwezigon Paya from a different entrance than where Win Thu , a guide, brought us to two days ago.
Devoid of foreign tourists, Shwezigon Paya appeared to be much more spiritual under the soft light of the morning sun.
At the temple entrance hallway, vendors were starting their busy day.
Stalls selling local snacks in bamboo skewers and bowls of colourful sauces were set up at prominent spots.
Without the tour groups we had a better chance to photograph the locals and entrance hallway at Shwezigon Paya.
Floral offerings were particular popular with worshipers at the temple entrance.
On our way back, we passed by an unused entrance hallway of Shwezigon Paya.
A cute little girl caught our attention on our way back to the hotel.
The short walk also led us to pass by less known stupa in the quiet neighborhood.
Some locals were burning trash at a street intersection.
Beautiful morning sun led our way back towards Oasis Hotel.
We passed through the sleepy Aye Nyein Thaya Park on our way back.
This short morning walk gave us a more domestic look at Nyaung-U, the commercial hub of the Bagan area.
At Nyaung-U Airport, we were told that our flight was delayed for two hours.
Before noontime, we were finally up in the air over the arid plains of Bagan towards Yangon. Two days of temple and pagoda hopping provided us a memorable introduction to the spectacular wonders of Bagan.
It wasn’t long before we arrived at Yangon International Airport and transited to our return flight back to Hong Kong. Although short, the trip to Yangon and Bagan gave us a remarkable getaway from the often commercialized and overwhelmingly busy Christmas scenes of the city.
* * *
Blog posts on Myanmar 2017:
Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT BURMESE CHRISTMAS VACATION
DAY 1: WALK TO 999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
DAY 1: SULE PAGODA
DAY 1: COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
DAY 1: BUSTLING STREET LIFE
DAY 1: GOLDEN WORLD OF SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE, Shwedagon Pagoda
DAY 1: EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A FESTIVE NIGHT
Day 2: Bagan
DAY 2: SHWEZIGON PAGODA, Nyaung-U
DAY 2: HTILOMINLO AND UPALI THEIN
DAY 2: ANANDA PAHTO
DAY 2: SUNSET AT OLD BAGAN
DAY 2: SILENT NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 3: Bagan
DAY 3: MAGICAL SUNRISE, Old Bagan
DAY 3: NYAUNG-U MARKET, Nyaung-U
DAY 3: SULAMANI TEMPLE
DAY 3: DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE
DAY 3: THATBYINNYU TEMPLE
DAY 3: NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba
DAY 3: SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan
DAY 3: FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 4: Farewell Myanmar
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR
DAY 3 (8/8): FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U, Myanmar, 2017.12.25
In the evening, we returned to Sanon Restaurant in Nyaung-U for dinner. After dinner, we walked to the commercial street of Nyaung-U. Souvenir vendors, hotels, pubs and restaurants lined up along Thi Ri Pysitsaya 4 Street, which, as our guidebook described, provided simple nightlife to the foreign tourists. Foreign tourists concentrated on a few of the restaurants that served fusion cuisine (Chinese, Thai and Myanmar). The decor were mainly causal and colourful. For us, the most eye-catching scene was a traditional umbrella showroom with a variety of colourful and translucent umbrellas lighted up from behind.
We passed by the Sapada Paya once again at the road intersection on our way to Sanon Restaurant.
Simple Christmas decorations lighted up building facades along the main road of the town.
Another satisfying meal at Sanon Restaurant.
Most shops along the main street in Nyaung-U offered e-bikes hire for tourists.
It was about 9pm and most tourists had already returned to their hotels.
Some shops offered contemporary bags and accessories with a Burmese touch in design.
Some were still checking out the souvenir vendors.
The most attractive shop was an traditional umbrella store.
Several local children circling around a fire reminded us that Bagan was still a less privileged rural area in Myanmar despite recent development of tourism.
* * *
Blog posts on Myanmar 2017:
Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT BURMESE CHRISTMAS VACATION
DAY 1: WALK TO 999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
DAY 1: SULE PAGODA
DAY 1: COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
DAY 1: BUSTLING STREET LIFE
DAY 1: GOLDEN WORLD OF SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE, Shwedagon Pagoda
DAY 1: EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A FESTIVE NIGHT
Day 2: Bagan
DAY 2: SHWEZIGON PAGODA, Nyaung-U
DAY 2: HTILOMINLO AND UPALI THEIN
DAY 2: ANANDA PAHTO
DAY 2: SUNSET AT OLD BAGAN
DAY 2: SILENT NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 3: Bagan
DAY 3: MAGICAL SUNRISE, Old Bagan
DAY 3: NYAUNG-U MARKET, Nyaung-U
DAY 3: SULAMANI TEMPLE
DAY 3: DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE
DAY 3: THATBYINNYU TEMPLE
DAY 3: NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba
DAY 3: SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan
DAY 3: FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 4: Farewell Myanmar
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR
DAY 3 (7/8): SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan, Myanmar, 2017.12.25
Our car sped through the dusty country road towards one of the designated viewing platform in Old Bagan. It was our last chance to enjoy the sunset scenery over the pagodas of Bagan. We thought we were late, but instead we were among the first few to arrive at the viewing platform. We picked out spot to view the sunset in front of the golden fields, romantic pagodas and distant mountains. We were occasionally distracted by the passing cattle and humble shepherds. As the sun set behind the surreal skyline of Medieval pagodas and spires, we knew that our brief tour of magical Bagan was coming to an end. It might have been too much history and Buddhist philosophy to take in in less than two days, but the experience did prove more than worthwhile for a spiritual journey to the religious and historical heartland of Myanmar. After the sunset, Win Thu and our driver dropped us back at Oasis Hotel. At the parking lot, we went through the formality of payment and tipping, and earnestly thanked them for introducing us the wonder of Bagan.
We passed by a number of fascinating pagodas on our way to the viewing platform.
The late afternoon sun was gorgeous, casting a beautiful orange glow on the bricks of the pagodas.
The platform was just a earth berm in the midst of grass fields and pagodas.
The sun was still high above the pagodas when we arrived.
A number of pagodas stood out in front of us.
Another marvelous temple was partially covered by scaffolding.
The shrubs right in front us began to glow under the golden sun.
The silhouette of pagodas and spires formed a romantic skyline in front of us.
Our focus shifted to the cattle passing behind us.
The white cattle and the red pagodas together formed a surreal picture.
The view of the shepherds and cattle was a great bonus for us.
The cattle gradually disappeared beyond the woods behind us.
It was a perfect day to watch the sunset.
We stood silently to watch the sun lowered behind the distant mountains.
Once the sun was gone, most tourists soon left the platform. We stayed for a little longer to absorb the tranquil atmosphere of Bagan.
* * *
Blog posts on Myanmar 2017:
Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT BURMESE CHRISTMAS VACATION
DAY 1: WALK TO 999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
DAY 1: SULE PAGODA
DAY 1: COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
DAY 1: BUSTLING STREET LIFE
DAY 1: GOLDEN WORLD OF SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE, Shwedagon Pagoda
DAY 1: EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A FESTIVE NIGHT
Day 2: Bagan
DAY 2: SHWEZIGON PAGODA, Nyaung-U
DAY 2: HTILOMINLO AND UPALI THEIN
DAY 2: ANANDA PAHTO
DAY 2: SUNSET AT OLD BAGAN
DAY 2: SILENT NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 3: Bagan
DAY 3: MAGICAL SUNRISE, Old Bagan
DAY 3: NYAUNG-U MARKET, Nyaung-U
DAY 3: SULAMANI TEMPLE
DAY 3: DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE
DAY 3: THATBYINNYU TEMPLE
DAY 3: NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba
DAY 3: SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan
DAY 3: FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 4: Farewell Myanmar
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR
DAY 3 (6/8): NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba, Bagan, Myanmar, 2017.12.25
After Sulamani, Dhammayangyi and Thatbyinnyu, Win Thu suggested we could shift to see some smaller and unique temples in the nearby area. We headed south from Old Bagan to the village of Myinkaba. We first stopped by Napaya Temple to check out the Brahma sculptures. Instead of Buddhist images, Napaya is famous for its Hindu wall relief. The temple was smaller than what we imagined, but the relief was quite remarkable and unique. We stayed in Napaya for a short while, then moved on to Manuha Temple, one of the oldest temples in Bagan. Manuha was quite interesting for us because firstly it still remained as an active worshiping place and secondly it housed several prominent Buddhist statues. Lastly we dropped by the Gubyaukgyi, another small temple famous for its Jataka murals. Luckily temple keeper was around and we were allowed to get into the temple.
With the small openings on the brickwork, Napaya Temple was small and dark inside and we were the only visitors.
At the centre of Napaya, there was the main altar surrounded by the Brahma relief sculptures.
Though not pleasant to the eye, the metal sub-frame inside Napaya Temple helps to prevent further deterioration of the original structure.
Near the Napaya, the Manuha Temple offered a completely different picture: a busy place of worship full of local visitors.
There are several buildings and four different images of Buddha at Manuha Temple.
The largest seated Buddha image is located in a building at the centre of the temple complex.
A large crowd of worshipers gathered at the base of the Buddha statue. They placed their hands and faces onto the golden statue, and murmured prayers with their eyes closed.
We were overwhelmed by the scale of the Buddha when standing right in front of the statue.
We stood behind the worshipers. Through the entrance archway, we could only see the base of the Buddha and his crossed legs.
Right across from the seated Buddha, there was huge golden alms bowl on display. Visitors lined up to climb a ladder and look inside the bowl.
In another building, we came face to face with a 90 foot reclining Buddha, a fine example of the iconic posture of the Buddha lying on his right about to enter the parinirvana.
The reclining Buddha is housed in a simple shelter just large enough to cover the lying statue.
A group of young monks walked past the building that houses the reclining Buddha.
Young monks is a common scene throughout Myanmar.
After Manuha Temple, we followed Win Thu back to the sleepy village of Myinkaba.
The village of Myinkaba is famous for traditional lacquerware.
The last temple we visited in Myinkaba was Gubyaukgyi Temple. We came to see the well preserved frescoes made by the Mon people.
Built in 1113 AD by Prince Yazakumar, Gubyaukgyi Temple is another small gem with fine examples of Indian and Mon architectural ornaments.
We were lucky that the temple keeper was around to let us in to check out the frescoes. Outside the temple, souvenir and puppet vendors gathered under the late afternoon sun.
The sun was already quite low after our visit of Gubyaukgyi, urging us to find a good spot to watch Bagan’s sunset one last time.
* * *
Blog posts on Myanmar 2017:
Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT BURMESE CHRISTMAS VACATION
DAY 1: WALK TO 999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
DAY 1: SULE PAGODA
DAY 1: COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
DAY 1: BUSTLING STREET LIFE
DAY 1: GOLDEN WORLD OF SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE, Shwedagon Pagoda
DAY 1: EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A FESTIVE NIGHT
Day 2: Bagan
DAY 2: SHWEZIGON PAGODA, Nyaung-U
DAY 2: HTILOMINLO AND UPALI THEIN
DAY 2: ANANDA PAHTO
DAY 2: SUNSET AT OLD BAGAN
DAY 2: SILENT NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 3: Bagan
DAY 3: MAGICAL SUNRISE, Old Bagan
DAY 3: NYAUNG-U MARKET, Nyaung-U
DAY 3: SULAMANI TEMPLE
DAY 3: DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE
DAY 3: THATBYINNYU TEMPLE
DAY 3: NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba
DAY 3: SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan
DAY 3: FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 4: Farewell Myanmar
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR
DAY 3 (5/8): THATBYINNYU TEMPLE, Bagan, Myanmar, 2017.12.25
Another prominent structures that we visited in Bagan was Thatbyinnyu Temple. Before entering the temple, our guide Win Thu led us to climb onto a long earth mount. We soon found out that the mount was part of the old city wall. We walked on it for a little bit. From the old wall, we enjoyed the fantastic views of nearby pagodas and the Thatbyinnyu. Built in mid-12th century, the 60m+ pagoda of Thatbyinnyu Temple is one of the tallest monuments in the area. We followed Win Thu into the temple, circled the interior passage once and stopped a few times to listen to our guide’s Buddhist stories.
From the entrance road, we were impressed by the splendid architecture of Thatbyinnyu Temple.
The ruined brick wall in front of the temple was the southeastern corner of the old city wall.
We walked the former city wall for a little bit.
From the wall, we could see various pagodas nearby.
The Thatbyinnyu stood beautiful just a stone throw north of the ruined city wall.
We followed Win Thu to find the main entrance of Thatbyinnyu.
Inside the temple, the first thing we saw was a prayer hall. For some reason, everything in Thatbyinnyu seemed to be light in tones, especially compared to the dimly lit interiors of other temples such as Dhammayangyi and Sulamani.
Much of the interior of Thatbyinnyu was repainted in a light beige colour.
Only small portions of the original fresco survives.
There were many worshipping niches along the wall of the passages.
We stopped at the statue of the Buddha with his hands resting on his chest. Win Thu told us the story of Buddha returning home to his wife and son after years of traveling and teaching.
Outside a temple archway, a local sand painting artist demonstrated the local sand painting techique to us.
We exited Thatbyinnyu from another crowded prayer hall.
* * *
Blog posts on Myanmar 2017:
Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT BURMESE CHRISTMAS VACATION
DAY 1: WALK TO 999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
DAY 1: SULE PAGODA
DAY 1: COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
DAY 1: BUSTLING STREET LIFE
DAY 1: GOLDEN WORLD OF SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE, Shwedagon Pagoda
DAY 1: EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A FESTIVE NIGHT
Day 2: Bagan
DAY 2: SHWEZIGON PAGODA, Nyaung-U
DAY 2: HTILOMINLO AND UPALI THEIN
DAY 2: ANANDA PAHTO
DAY 2: SUNSET AT OLD BAGAN
DAY 2: SILENT NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 3: Bagan
DAY 3: MAGICAL SUNRISE, Old Bagan
DAY 3: NYAUNG-U MARKET, Nyaung-U
DAY 3: SULAMANI TEMPLE
DAY 3: DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE
DAY 3: THATBYINNYU TEMPLE
DAY 3: NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba
DAY 3: SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan
DAY 3: FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U
Day 4: Farewell Myanmar
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR
Blue Lapis Road 