BACK FOR LAST SAIL OF 2015

By Tuesday morning I will have arrivved in Tortola and met the circumnavigating sailboat, Moonbeam and crew. This will be my 6th time onboard and the last leg of a three-year voyage. How lucky have I been to be tagging along in a "dashed line" around the world.

Same 5 crew that departed Marco Island on the first leg, return for this final one.

HOME AGAIN

In all, it was a total of 3 countries, 9 flight segments, plus other travel by bus, private car, taxi, train, river yacht, river boat, long boat, tuk tuk, horse cart. Missed having a ride on this ox cart seen in Mingun. Arrived in Newark safely and happy that Roy was there to meet me.

MINGUN

A cruise up river to the famous Mingun. While motoring on the way, I talked the captain into a turn at the helm. Here are some scenes on the river and arriving.

Arriving at the "port" which has is only a stretch of sand, our boat squeezes in between. To disembark, we cross over a plank onto the boat at left, then a second plank to get on the sandy shore.

And below a view of what it looks like on shore.Note the ox carts with "taxi".

MORE MANDALAY

Busy days as we tour with guide, Kyaw, and driver. I am seriously behind on these posts, but here are a few images until I get better internet and a few moments to recount our travels.

This is Kyaw, our guide. Easy to pronounce his name because it sounds like Joe.

MANDALAY

It has been three interesting and busy days since arriving here Monday morning on that early flight. Surprisingly I made it through the whole day from the 3:45 wake up call. I will admit, mid afternoon, I was feeling a meltdown, but  managed to soldier on. 

A brief visit to my friend Leila's workshop and then off to Sagaing Hill. Thousands of Buddhist pagodas and monasteries, plus a nunnery to see and visit a few. Sagaing, except for a brief period, early 14th century when it served as capital of a powerful dynasty, has since devoted itself to spiritual matters.

We have an English speaking guide, U Kyaw Kyaw, and driver. After parking, we climb up to this nunnery where where the young girls can be seen in their traditional dress of pink robes and shaved heads. Lunch was just finishing and we peeked in at the room. When finished, the girls file out carrying their dishes, slip into their sandals and head off to lessons and meditations.

ON THE ROAD TO MANDALAY

Although a movie title, we will be doing this. Early morning 7:00 a flight has been changed to earlier at 6:00 am. So wake up call for 3:45 and leave the hotel at 4:30. Yikes, after a fabulous dinner and late night with Fr. Jim and Sr. Mary, it is practically time to get going!  

Sr. Mary and Fr. Jim at the great Le Planteur, Yangon.

OFF EXPLORING IN YANGON

Saturday in Yangon. Last time here the highlights for tourists were visited. This time, 2 days free ... With no guide. How did we manage? Just great!

Taxi first to the Thai Airways office to settle some tickets, but was closed. However, anticipating that possibility, a ride on the circular train was planned. This circles the city at a slow pace, taking 4 hours to return to the beginning. Managed to buy ticket for the air conditioned car. The AC was only blowing air, so everyone in train sits and perspires. Hawkers walk through selling water (much welcomed) and more. It is a theater in action as we look at the local people and they stare back at the foreigners.

I had a street map of the city from 4 years ago ... Still good, all roads still the same. Five stops on the train to what was expected to be an interesting area. It was.

Language differences compound the difficulty of getting around. The Burmese alphabet is very beautifully written, but absolutely indecipherable. Signage for station stop on the train:

A bookstore, jewelry for sale and then a popular Thai restaurant rated highly by trip advisor. Wow, we are doing great. Found it all.

After refreshment at the Padonmar restaurant a few turns led us to embassy street. We passed those for Malaysia, Egypt, Indonesia. At the French Embassy, I rang the bell and told an invisible responder that 2 Americans were so sorry for the terror attacks that just happened in Paris. That we offer our sympathy and concern. The voice answered, "thank you."

Finally got taxi back to hotel. Perfect!

HOW MANY BUDDHAs

Buddhism is the main belief of 90% of the Burmese and it permeates every aspect of life in the country. No surprise that there are pagodas, stupas and monasteries in great number. All with Buddha statues. The Koethaung Temple has 90,000 and the Sittaung another 80,000 and more at other locations, but in fewer numbers. A day and a half ends up with a sense of overload, even though each one was unique and interesting. Without identifying which belong to which, here are an assortment.

LOST KINGDOM

Virtually forgotten by the world today, the ancient Arakan  was a powerful force in the Mrauk U region. It was one of Asia's most important, ranging from the Ganges to the Ayerarwady in Yangon area. It's wealth came mostly from trade in the slave business with the Portugese buying. Nothing remains of the royal palace and complex except for some of the city wall and a couple gates and a exquisite Buddha image which was carted away and now resides in Mandalay.

At the peak, the population numbered about 160,000, with a sophisticated culture. 

It has been so hot here and I did not pack any short pants. Some work with a pair of scissors produced these more comfortable cutoffs.

ON THE KALADAN RIVER TO MRAUK U

I do not think this boat would pass US Coast Guard inspection. But it was fine for 5 hours upriver and then for the return. Inside a few plastic chairs and table. We sat up top for the view.

Images Illustrate life along the river: net fishing and shelters....

Rarely spotted, it was a chance sighting of these Burmese cranes. Moving gracefully at the grassy shore, they appear to be at least as tall as a man.

According to Wiki: The sarus crane is a large nonmigratory crane found in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height of up to 5 ' 11" , they habit open wetlands. The sarus crane is easily distinguished from other cranes in the region by the overall grey colour and the contrasting red head and upper neck. They forage on marshes and shallow wetlands for roots, tubers, insects, crustaceans and small vertebrate prey. Like other cranes, they form long-lasting pair-bonds and maintain territories within which they perform territorial and courtship displays that include loud trumpeting, leaps and dance-like movements. 

Our boat kicks up a stern wave.

ON TO SITTWE AND MRAUK U

It was a flight from Singapore to Yangon and then to the Rakhine capital, Sittwe, a town on the western coast in which to pass time between connections with our boat next day. With about 200,00 residents, it is a waypoint enroute, but nevertheless, worth some sightseeing and an important historical port in the ancient region. We visited some museums showcasing old Buddhist items, and the view point for a lovely sunset.

Evidence of British presence from its prominence in the 19th century  ...  the former residence of the governor, now a home for local monks, a lackluster collection of artifacts, and fondly known as the 999 window building.

Point view at sunset, a statue with flute. Lovely first evening in Myanmar.

COLORFUL LITTLE INDIA

Sunday in lthe Little India section of Singapore is always busy. It is the only free day for many and the men are out in force on their day off. More than 70% of the crowd were males today.  But this Sunday, even more so due to the festival which begins in two days. Deepavali.

It was a colorful scene:  the mustafa center, everyone out on the streets. It was difficult just walking around. And, overlooked by more great looking shuttered windows. Lots of energy.

You could buy anything. I got an old lock, about five inches in size with key. Offered at $75, then discounted to 60. I said at 35, I might be interested. Guess what? The deal was struck and it is mine.

I could have had my hands done with a fascinating tatoo or bought one of the handsome gold pieces favored by Indian women, but did neither.

CHINATOWN

This is an energic and busy section of Singapore. Market day seems to run 24/7 and Temple Street where I stayed at The Inn a few years ago, was crowded with shoppers. Not only this street, but others as well, where price haggling was a sport. And bargains are plentiful. Imagine getting 36 of anything for $10, which is about $7.50 USD.

As a backdrop are the beautifully preserved houses, 2-stoies in height, many painted in pastel colors. The shuttered windows stand out and are unique to Chinatown.