Rush hour on the circle line - Burmese style - Yangon - Burma

Rush hour on the circle line - Burmese style - Yangon - Burma

Rush hour on the circle line - Burmese style - Yangon - Burma

"At last!" I think to myself, "the perfect Ox-Cart in the perfect place!"
"Where are the others I wonder...?"
Inwa - Burma.
Made completely from wood... somehow it just feels right!
Bagaya (Teak) Monastery - Ava (Inwa) Ancient City - Burma
"Your teacher will never be this awesome..."
Abbot at Bagaya Monastery - Inwa - Burma.

'How many chrysanthemums can you get on a motorbike? Well, how many have you got?'

Early morning flower market, near Mandalay, Burma.

"No, I only sell Cabbages," I Imagine him saying to my un-asked question. 'I Love Cabbages I do,' he adds in a Monty Pythan-esq voice!
Cabbage Stall - Pyin U Lwin Market - Burma.

Not just for tourists! 

These traditional Victorian miniature horse drawn stagecoaches (used as taxis) wait for the locals outside the market in Pyin U Lwin - Burma.

Nazi helmet while fishing - strange you might think? But actually it's a motorcycle helmet with the buddhist Manji symbol (Svastika in Sanscrit). In buddism this represents the harmonious interplay of the many opposites in life; heaven and earth, day and night, etc. (unfortunately, reversed and turned on it's axis the symbol was corrupted by the nazi regime forever). Perhaps no one told the Burmen...
Dusk - U-Bain Bridge - Burma.

"Sun Like A Bauble...", Kevin Coyne once sang to me in a Dark Dance Hall, I suddenly realised that he wasn't lying but then he never did!
U-Bein Bridge - Burma.

Pondering eternity? Or just admiring the view? You will find lots of Buddhist monks at sunset on U Bein Bridge - Near Mandalay - Burma

'Wait', I said, 'the sunset will be surreal' but when I turned around they were gone, for dinner beckoned and they were hungry, I suppose.
Sunset over the ancient city of Bagan - Burma.
"I don't know why, but you just sold it to me," I thought.
Souvenir seller - Bagan - Burma.
“It is better to travel well than to arrive.” Said the Buddha, something I also have tried to apply to my travels. He also said; 'No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.' Umm must remember that one for that Sunday morning knock when I get home...
Bagan - Burma
 
Mount Popa was Built on top of a Volcanic pipe, in Burma.
A long climb and an interesting experience but beware the monkey...

On no account should you attempt to eat snacks while walking the 700 steps up to Mt. Popa. No good will come of it for man or monkey!

Once upon a time, you could donate a Buddha statue in this cave to secure your passage to heaven but alas now you must take the longer route to heaven.
Cave of a thousand Buddha's - Pindaya Caves - Burma.
'Well, I had to amuse myself somehow while waiting for my breakfast pancakes to arrive...'
Kalaw at sunrise from the Pines Hotel - Burma.

Kids hard at work in the local school. Well, they were until we arrived... 

Pein Ne Pin - Paluang Hill Tribe Villiage - a morning trek from Kalaw - Burma

We don't speak the same language but with humour, we reach across the cultural divide. Pein Ne Pin Tribes, where the smoking of cheroots is very much a way of life. 
Paluang Hill Trib Villiage - Burma.
'Yes, turn the ISO up to 800', I tell myself, 'well I should have brought your tripod after all', I secretly think!
Dusk - Kalaw - Burma.
Giggling Novice Monks - Giddy On Good Karma, perhaps?
Thein Taung Pagoda Monastery - Kalaw - Burma.
Traditional Fishermen Pose for Photographs... 
"When will this shameless exploitation of tourists ever stop...," I muse.
Lake Inle - Burma.
Believe me this is as hard as it looks...
Intha Fishermen - Lake Inle - Burma.
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