Myanmar: BAGAN

February 12, 2014August 30, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

For these few days (as you may notice because of my blog absence) I was in Bagan- the town in the centre of Myanmar. It’s known for the 3000 pagodas that are spread all around the place. To see the city in it’s whole beauty, we had to fly up with a hot air balloon- the flight together with British pilots was a experience to remember for whole life! Later, we saw around 15 pagodas and temples that have so strange names, that would be a non-sense to list them all. Although, one of them- Ananda Temple- definitely showed off most with it’s beautiful Burmese architecture and four huge Buddhas. Although Bagan is very beautiful and silent, I must admit all these pagodas make my head burn. And temples/monasteries! All made from tick or brick. And most of them look pretty same, keeping it’s adorable peace. But- still, this amazing architecture and atmosphere can be met only here!

Myanmar: ANISAKAN WATERFALL

February 8, 2014February 8, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Anisakan Waterfall is the biggest, and the most spectacular waterfall in the whole Myanmar. Located 40km from Mandalay, this place is situated in a deep jungle- to go there, you must go down from a steep mountain for approximately one hour. What’s more, there is a little Pagoda next to the waterfall, and you may see how the monks are working. This place will make your day in Burma a real paradise escape!

Myanmar: TRADITIONAL STUFF

February 8, 2014February 8, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Myanmar is not only famous for it’s Pagodas and beautiful sunsets, but also for wood carving and amazing embroidered decoration. Today I had a chance to visit a huge store full of souvenirs and beautiful stuff that made me want to buy everything- teak Buddha’s, monkey-skull necklaces, pig teeth bracelets, embroidered cushion covers and silk longis. In other words, a fantasy for souvenir-buying monster. And by the way you could see how the wood is carved in traditional, Burmese way!

Myanmar: AROUND MANDALAY

February 7, 2014November 1, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Mandalay, the city of thousand of pagodas, is one of the most beautiful places in whole Birma. However, it also has many other amazing towns on it’s outskirts: Mingun, the little island where you may ride a taxi in posture of a cow carriage and see the biggest bell in the world that weights 101 tons. Then, Ava (Small River)- another jungle-like town, where the teak Bagaya monastery is located within wild flora of this place. And the third awesome place is Amarapura. It’s 12 km south of Mandalay. There, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset from the lake, or from the teak wood U Bein bridge. And photos taken from there are as impressive, as the place itself. Unforgettable experience.

Myanmar: MANDALAY

February 7, 2014February 7, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

That was a very busy day in Mandalay for me… This town can really mix up you with all these 2000 pagodas that are located here. First we visited the Shwenandaw monastery, that is totally made out of the teak wood in a carved technique. What’s more the, Kuthawdaw Pagoda, that contains the largest book in the world (owned by UNESCO) is so mind-blowing, that I am still overhelmed. In Mandalay city, I saw so many amazing things you won’t find anywhere else (note the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, where a sitting Buddha sits carved in one single piece of marble, weighting 900 tons)… So here are my photos!