The fingers of the Mandalay silk weavers work so quickly with the shuttles that they are a blur. The ladies pair up to make traditional patterned weaves on wooden looms and are happy to carry on giggling and smiling whilst we watch over them. Our guide Khin Nyein Thu was happy to show us inside a casting […]
Take yourself to Gaw Wein Jetty on a Saturday and watch the local women hang out their colourful washing to dry. Climb Mandalay Hill or take a taxi to the top, hop on the escalators for a fantastic view of the city from Su Taung Pyai Pagoda. Watch the sun set at U Bein bridge in nearby Amarapura. Admire the […]
Most people travel to Bagan to see the mind blowing Bagan Plains, these need to be viewed at different times of the day to see the changing colours and the sun set. There are some raised areas which lend themselves to sun setting scenes. Grab yourself a horse and cart ride to see the temples up […]
Sagaing is south of Mandalay on the River Irrawaddy and was the first port of call on The Grey Traveller cruise from Mandalay to Bagan with Sanctuary Retreats. I couldn’t help but be impressed with the dazzling gold stupa even if the soles of my feet were burning! It’s customary to take off shoes and cover knees […]
Maybe I was charmed by the deep orange colour or the colonial history – I don’t know which ……but I do know the bar man on the cruise ship Ananda is a skilled mixologist. The cocktail is a blend and shake of gin, cointreau, bitters and lime juice named after the Pegu Club in old Rangoon……….. you […]
The Irrawaddy is at its lowest during April as the weather has been hot and dry for some months…in fact when I was there it reached a staggering 102F. With the water low the sand bars and river banks are revealed and on day three of The Grey Traveller’s Irrawaddy River Cruise we were invited to a BBQ dinner […]
On a cruise down the mighty Irrawaddy I found myself in Nyaung – U a district of Bagan. The market there was enticing as I smelt all types of spices before I had even entered. The market seemed to be mainly operated by women selling dried fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, clothing and sweets and often […]
My first excursion from Sanctuary Ananda cruise ship in Myanmar was to the town of Sagaing south of Mandalay on the Irrawaddy River and it was there I visited a monastic school. There are three types of education; private which parents pay for, public which is provided freely by the government and monastic where children are taught […]
On my third day of a Sanctuary Retreats Irrawaddy River Cruise I found myself at Tan Chi Taung where along with my guide Khin Nyein Thu I climbed high to a beautiful pagoda and golden stupa. Once I had oohed and ahhed at the shiny temple and views I got to see a traditional elephant dance put on […]
On the first day of The Grey Traveller’s trip on the Ananda cruise ship (Sanctuary Retreats) we explored Sagaing and Amarapura south of Mandalay. We had seen Sagaing and its beautiful temple and visited a monastic school. With monsoon season fast approaching the heat was fairly intense so when our wonderful guide Khin Nyein Thu brought us to the cooler […]
