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SOUTH-EAST ASIA 2009-10

  MYANMAR. BAGAN
Myanmar
Panoramic view of Bagan, where 4400 temples built around 800 years ago are packed into 42 sq km
Myanmar
This guy was watching his goats grazing nearby
Myanmar
Buledi Paya, where it's possible to enjoy great sunsets without crowds
Myanmar
Our first sunset
Myanmar
Next morning, Mike and I cycled to Old Bagan to watch sunrise
Myanmar
There are hot air balloons flying over Bagan every day after sunrise. It costs $295
Myanmar
Gaw Daw Palin Temple is 60 meters high
Myanmar
Bagan was hit by a 6.5 earthquake in 1975. Many temples were badly damaged but later reconstructed
Myanmar
Many bigger temples are busy with tourists, but the smaller ones have nobody around
Myanmar
Bagan is not a UNESCO heritage site, mainly for political reasons
Myanmar
I didn't want to buy postcards, and she said: "you should buy, because you are rich man"
Myanmar
There are hundreds of children selling postcards, I can't buy from all of them
Myanmar
This was the only wooden monastery we saw in Bagan
Myanmar
A group of tourists arrived by bus especially to watch the annular sun eclipse
Myanmar
This was the longest annular eclipse until the year 3043. And we were on top of Mi Nyein Gon Pagoda watching it!
Myanmar
Shwesandaw is always packed for sunset
Myanmar
Next day I was on top of Mi Nyein Gon Pagoda for another sunrise. Amazing!
Myanmar
It's cold in the morning, but vendors are not deterred
Myanmar
Morning view of Bagan from Mi Nyein Gon
Myanmar
Locals are working, tourists are flying, and pagodas are simply standing still
Myanmar
Almost every pagoda has it's Buddha image
Myanmar
This one was unusual - male and female Buddha
Myanmar
Majority of tourists get around Bagan by horse cart. We had more freedom cycling
Myanmar
There are many villages in Bagan Zone. It's not just temples, but simple, everyday life of local people
Myanmar
Check out huge cigarette the 2nd woman is smoking!
Myanmar
Women work at least as hard as men
Myanmar
Sulamani Pahto in the Central Plain, one of Bagan's prettiest
Myanmar
Frescoes inside Sulamani Pahto
Myanmar
Locals women with goats amongst Bagan's temples
Myanmar
A typical resting place with a jar of drinking water. We never drank it for fear of stomach problems
Myanmar
Some pagodas only have numbers. The one on the left was 1555
Myanmar
Approaching Shwesandaw Paya. If cycling, a bike with wide tires is best for those sandy roads
Myanmar
Outside Htilominlo Patho. Here we bought our souvenirs
Myanmar
After Ananda, this was the biggest souvenir shop in Bagan
Myanmar
Sand paintings. On a canvas is a fine layer of sand where different motives are painted
Myanmar
Finally, a collection of Buddha images from different temples