Upper class!
We were meant to pay $10 each to get into the historical sites, but our guide very kindly took us to the non paying sites and snuck us into the one paying pagoda. It was interesting to hear his opinion on how the military government is taking advantage of tourists and pocketing the cash. So instead at each stop we made sure to put the money directly into the temples/monistaries donation boxes
Scott the percussion man ringing the bell
Super tall pagoda/paya
This was the only pic we took at the first monistary we visited...as a form of protest! While there the Buddhist monks assembled for their 11am meal. The funniest thing started to happen though...all the other Asian tourists were buying notepads, pens, packets of noodles and sweets from local sellers in the monistary. Then they all jostled to line up along the pathway. As the monks walked past the tourists piled all their donations into the monks bowls they were carrying. Needless to say many a photo was taken during this. We stepped back from the mayhem and bumped into an older Indian gentleman...his comment was the same thing we had said...all these torists were giving these monks was higher chances of diabetes! (I love Indians' sense if humour...it's the same at our church)
Snake monistary...there is an even bigger snake that we didn't see...guide book says they built the monistary around it!
So many Buddhist monks (kids and adults) eveywhere! Also walking on the streets from business to business asking for donations. Buddhists' believe that giving donations gives you more points towards a better reincarnation.
Stray, mangy dogs everywhere...a lot looked like pitbulls so we didn't even try touch one!
One of 4 reclining Buddhas
Seemed to be a lot of buddahs under snakes! always wondered if there were anacondas in the lakes surrounding these statues!
Lunch by the train station
At this temple only the men were allowed to climb up to the higher level...not that I was complaining! Had to walk around barefoot on the hot, rough gravel floor...but nice to finally be in a quiet temple!
Tea while waiting for train to depart
Felt a bit woozy on the ride home so took my trusty charcoal tablets from Malaysia! Was quite grateful the train guy mixed up our request and we sat in upperclass again. There were many people standing at the door eyeing any possibly empty seats as there is only one upper class carriage
Never been on such a bumpy ride before...and the lower class carriages were even bumpier and had wooden seats! Thought we might fly off the track!
Poorer neighborhoods close to town
Train station
The only way to survive food in Asia is with coke
After recovering on the bed we had early New Years celebrations over dessert and the a taxi bicycle ride! Driver has a side cart with a forward and back facing seat. Driver took us around the block, and though he couldn't speak much English he got on board with Scott shouting happy new year to everyone, and made sure to take us past groups of people and/or point out ones to us we could shout to
