Apart
from seeing the fascinating view of morning pagodas in Bagan (and its
sunset as well), we have also visited quite a lot of temples. Some are
not splendid enough and some are in ruins. Out of more than 2,000
temples and pagodas in Bagan, Ananda Temple (the meaning is 'endless
wisdom'.) is the only one we visit twice. On the last day in Bagan, we
ride a bicycle for about half an hour from our hotel. But it is of
course worthwhile to do so.
Ananda
Temple is considered to be one of the most surviving masterpieces in
Bagan, known as the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of
the Bagan temples. Just for Ananda Temple and morning pagodas, it proved
worthwhile to spend several days in Bagan.
This
is the main entrace, there is another one on the other side. It is a
very beautiful temple. We have a good impression in Bagan as there is no
beggar in the whole tourist area.
In
2010, it is the 920th anniversary of the temple's construction. But
this is a reconstruction, finished in 1979. The former one was damaged
in earthquake in 1975. The temple spires were gilded. The remainder of
the temple exterior is whitewashed regularly.
There are four buddha images inside Ananda Temple. This is the Northing facing standing buddha - Kakusandha.
East facing standing buddha - Konagamana.
South facing standing buddha - Kassapa.
West facing standing buddha - Gotama.
Sorry, I think of Tamama in Keroro cartoon of Japan.
Reflections of Myanmar Travel 2010
1) Myanmar is a poor and developing country. To compare with Hong Kong, there should be a time lag of at least 20 years.
This is a corner of check-in counters of internal flight in Yangon Airport. Remember this is Yangon.
2)
Corruption is very serious in Myanmar (not to mention other Asian
countries, like this, this and that, ... .), resulting that the country
infrastructure is still in the infant stage.
3) Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar, there is no underground railway, McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut and ... .
4)
Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar. In Mandalay and its
surronding areas, it is quite strange that the large piece of land is
very dusty. This may be because of the geographical location and there
is not much raining, but may also be because they have too limited
number of sweeper. This should be the result of 1) and 2) above.
There is a dust layer on leave surface. You can imagine how dusty the areas in and around Mandalay is.
5)
Street lamp is normally not available, even in the largest city -
Yangon. You can imagine the stage of development in this country.
6)
Burmeses are generally nice and amiable. They are also quite
introverted, maybe they do not have much chance to contact the rest of
the world. Though they are not well-off economically, they should be
well-off in their living in their mind. They always have smile on their
face.
7) It is a valuable and enjoyable trip to travel to Myanmar, we have to thank for all those we met and who helped us.
/Deli Prince Club
