Need I say it was another early start again this morning? No? I'm reaching pro. level these days thanks to my Kiwi roommate Sue. First down to breakfast too.
Today we cycled 40 km to Mingun, the home of the largest in racket bell in the world until 2000. To get there we cycled through Mandalay following the river to cross it on the new bridge. Quite an education into how the poor live. I've seen tidier and cleaner council rubbish sites, and here were families living, eating, playing and sleeping. Children and dogs roam freely through the busy morning traffic, it's a wonder there aren't frequent fatalities, I'm sure there are, but it doesn't seem to happen when we are around.
Each area seemed to concentrate on one type of goods, so we cycled through the fuel barrels, bambo and wood yards, markets and water melon stacks, all of which were frequently inter dispersed with rubbish tips consisting of plastic bags and broken baskets. Then out would pop a couple of scruffy children waving and cheering at you. Despite everything they looked happy.
Over the bridge we went and on through lively if chaotic villages,
with a drink stop here
and a photo opportunity there.
Until we reached this massive unfinished stupa. See the large cracks? That's the result of a large earthquake.
Where ever there is something to see, there's something to eat
I don't know what this black paste was this old lady was selling.
and there was at the largest uncracked bell in the world until 2000. Going inside the bell wa a treat, covered in graffiti I wonder how C G Johns managed to reach so high up?
Taxi?
No need, we could walk to our riverside restaurant for lunch .
These ladies are weeding the restaurant vegetable garden.
We still don't need a taxi,
because we sailed back to Mandalay.
We also saw the reverse side of this morning's journey. It wasn't an improved view.
I think we all fell asleep onboard, but we didn't need help to plank hop off, despite all the helped offered by little friends....
Be thankful you have indoor plumbing and a washing machine.
Showered and changed I headed off to explore the indoor market. It was amazing! Everything came in huge amounts, piled up to the rafters!
My photographing old scissors had them laughing!
We went up Manderley Hill to watch the sun go down
but it was too cloudy to see much
but there was an opportunity to ring another bell.
Time for the lights to go on, except someone has built a nest in the middle one.
I think if we were staying longer we may have been tempted to try the street food served here!
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