Bagan

Bagan is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar.  The over 2000 pagodas which cover the river plain were allowed to fall into ruin but recently the government has done some restorative work.  Archaeologists say the work is shoddy and does not conform to the way buildings were meant to be.  Bagan is soon to be Myanmar's second World Heritage site

Inside a pagoda

People leaving money for the nats.  The nats are Hindu gods replaced when Buddhism became dominant centuries ago but still revered

A case full of nats and one outside with money 

A Bagan view from high up a pagoda.  See all the pagodas in the background and the goods for sale in the foreground

Andy in a teashop for lunch.  Note the typical dispenser of toilet paper which serves as napkins.  Also note the blue string to the right. A lighter is tied to its end for use by smokers!

Puppet theatre of traditional legends are common in Bagan and Mandalay.  Here are waiting puppets!

Bagan view

Youth play the traditional ball game, a bit like hacky sack.  See the ball to the lower left of the window of the pagoda

We climbed up to watch the sunset but there were so many people we came down early!

View as the sun went down

Again a view at sunset.. almost!

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