Not sure if you've read my Bagan Temple Tour post (whyyy, you must read it guys, wahaha), but this is the last installment! Our scheduled bus trip to Yangon was leaving at 8pm, so we had a few hours to spare. We decided to spend them driving around, discovering new temples, chilling and watching our last Bagan sunset on top of Shwesandaw Pagoda. I could honestly say that this was one of the best trips I have ever done and one of the best places I have ever seen. The whole place and the whole experience was so unique, so different and I could not wait to see it's magnificence again. Photos and stories below...
This temple, also known as a popular pilgrimage center, is very much similar to Burmese stupas, and consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. The pagoda is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Within the compound of the Shwezigon Pagoda is a stone pillar containing Mon language inscriptions dedicated by King Kyansittha.
Located in the Myinkaba Village south of Bagan, this temple was built in 1113AD by Prince Yazakumar, shortly after the death of his father, King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The temple is notable for two reasons. First, it contains a large array of well-preserved frescoes on its interior walls, the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan. All of the frescoes are accompanied by ink captions written in Old Mon, providing one of the earliest examples of the language's use in Myanmar.
Second, the temple is located just to the west of the Myazedi pagoda, at which was found two stone pillars with inscriptions written in four, ancient Southeast Asian languages: Pali, Old Mon, Old Burmese, and Pyu. The inscription on the pillar displayed by the Myazedi pagoda has been called the Burmese Rosetta Stone, given its significance both historically and linguistically, as a key to cracking the Pyu language.
It was super hot that day so we had to stop on the side of the road to check our map and also our Lonely Planet guide. Nico and I decided to take a break from the heat and mag chill muna at this cafe/resto we saw along the way...
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel, collected our things and waited for our service going to the JJ Express bus station. The pick-up service was free na if you book a reservation. Oasis Hotel was the one who contacted them for us. :)
The bus ride from Bagan to Yangon takes about 9 hours. The bus leaves at around 10-11pm and arrives there ng 6am. It is a nice way to save on accommodation too. The whole trip was pleasant and we were asleep for the duration of the ride. I highly recommend JJ Express! :)
Will blog about Yangon next and Malaysia. This is so overdue but it's hard ha! Haha. I still have Macau and Japan to finish. Waaah. Thanks for reading and hope my posts inspire you to get out there, travel and explore new places. Love you all!
Rented an e-bike again, but this time si Nico nalang nagdrive.
I'm just a passenger now! I can't drive anymore. Anlaki ng pasa ko sa legssss.
On our 2nd day of touring temples, I decided to be an e-bike passenger nalang. Driving a scooter for almost 10 hours the day before slightly drained me. I even got a bruise on my right leg as big as the world map. This might be slightly exaggerated or it might be slightly true. Haha. Got it from the stationary pedal of the bike. Every time I hit on the brakes, it rubs and bumps on my leg. Ayun. Haha. It's also funny how even after falling asleep, it felt like I was still driving and wobbling! I was jerking the whole time daw according to Nico. So funny!
Tried Aroma 2 Indian restaurant for lunch! Sa wakas open sha!
Menu and Prices
Forgot what we ordered but I think this is Chicken Tikka Masala?
Love this! If you didn't like the food, you have the option not to pay. Pero shempre mahiya naman tayo if naubos mo naman. Haha!
After lunch, we immediately went temple hopping. We decided to explore other areas naman. This time, we decided to check-out temples in Nyaung-U, the area where the restos & most hotels are located.
First Stop: Shwezigon Paya Temple
This temple, also known as a popular pilgrimage center, is very much similar to Burmese stupas, and consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. The pagoda is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Within the compound of the Shwezigon Pagoda is a stone pillar containing Mon language inscriptions dedicated by King Kyansittha.
Barefoot dapat sa buong compound
Upper terrace closed to the public
2nd Stop: Don't know the name of this spot:(
3rd Stop: This old abandoned wooden house we discovered on the side of the road
So nice! Couldn't get inside though because it's closed.
4th Stop: Gubyauk Gyi Temple
Located in the Myinkaba Village south of Bagan, this temple was built in 1113AD by Prince Yazakumar, shortly after the death of his father, King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The temple is notable for two reasons. First, it contains a large array of well-preserved frescoes on its interior walls, the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan. All of the frescoes are accompanied by ink captions written in Old Mon, providing one of the earliest examples of the language's use in Myanmar.
Wasn't able to enter because there were people praying inside
Second, the temple is located just to the west of the Myazedi pagoda, at which was found two stone pillars with inscriptions written in four, ancient Southeast Asian languages: Pali, Old Mon, Old Burmese, and Pyu. The inscription on the pillar displayed by the Myazedi pagoda has been called the Burmese Rosetta Stone, given its significance both historically and linguistically, as a key to cracking the Pyu language.
It was super hot that day so we had to stop on the side of the road to check our map and also our Lonely Planet guide. Nico and I decided to take a break from the heat and mag chill muna at this cafe/resto we saw along the way...
Mingalarba Food Corner
Ordered watermelon shake and banana fritter with honey!
After our meryenda we decided to go back muna, eat lunch and rest for a bit before our last sunset session in this beautiful place...
Drove back to Nyaung-U
Decided to check this popular resto which we also found in our Lonely Planet book and #1 in TripAdvisor!
Weather Spoon Restaurant & Bar serves Western, Italian & Asian food
Ordered their best-selling Weather Spoon burger (dubbed as the best burger in Asia) and it was delicious! I've been craving for a burger and I'm so glad I found this resto. Sarap sobra guys. It's 4,900 kyats or P190.
Those guys in yellow & blue are the owners, I think:)
Aside from the nice food variance, the place also feels super chill, homey and has fast wi-fi! Yey! Can't wait to go back and try their other cuisines. Anyway, after eating we went back to the hotel and rested for a bit sa common area since we already checked-out. Left again at around 5pm and headed back to Shwesandaw Pagoda for our last Bagan sunset!
Take the stairs near the restrooms! It's least crowded one. Nasa right side sha banda.
It's so steep! If you're scared of heights, don't look down.
The climb was worth it:)
Breathtaking view:)
I love you, Bagan:) You still have my heart:)
A kind tourist took our photo! Sa wakas may couple pic din hahaha.
Found our sunset spot
Sila din daw patingin ng sunset. Waah!
Look at all those tour buses
And then there was silence. So beautiful. :) Stayed here for almost an hour just enjoying this view. So lucky to have experienced this. It was magical.
Time to go down!
Drove back to Nayung-U again, near our hotel, to eat dinner naman...
Everything is so charming in Bagan
Decided to go Italian for dinner! We ate at La Pizza resto which you would immediately see on the side of the road in Nyaung-U.:)
Also bought pasta naman from this Italian resto named La Terrazza across the street!
Wood fired pizza is the best. Grabe naubos namin lahat!
Pasta was delicious!
After picking up a few more passengers, we arrived here!
We paid for our tickets. One-way VIP ticket from Bagan to Yangon costs 18,000 kyats or P720.
Our bus! Ang kulit may Mr. Bean pa sa harap. Haha.
Our seats!
Aliw na aliw si Nico sa TV
We were also given blankets. Yey.
After a few hours, we stopped at this place called Feel Express. It is where bus drivers and the crew freshen up and eat. We were all given 30 minutes to do the same. No one was allowed to stay inside the bus, I think to prevent theft.
Restroom break + quick meryenda
I don't know what Nico ordered haha
I ordered pancit because I was scared of rice meals na. I'm not very fond of Myanmar food. Huhu. This one tastes nice!
Back in our bus, we were given snacks and free water.
We have a stewardess! So cool.
Will blog about Yangon next and Malaysia. This is so overdue but it's hard ha! Haha. I still have Macau and Japan to finish. Waaah. Thanks for reading and hope my posts inspire you to get out there, travel and explore new places. Love you all!
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