Final Day in Bagan

Another 5:30 a.m. morning took us to a pagoda with stairs that led to a top level where we could witness the rising sun and the balloons floating by the shrines.  There were lots of people gathered there for the same purpose and at times small conflicts arose while each person was staking out their territory.  The balloons floated by in the distance with shrines poking their heads through the haze.  It was well worth the shortened night of sleep.

We returned to the hotel for a quick breakfast before walking to a nearby shrine where Liza and Ira with the help of a local set up a shoot for us.  Candles were placed at the base of the sitting Buddha.  They had arranged two novice monks to serve as our models this morning.  Light filtered in the door giving us just enough illumination to take some very nice photos.

We gathered for our last critique right after we dined on pizza from the hotel's wood fired pizza oven. It’s hard to believe our trip is almost over.  A scheduled sunset shoot was scrapped in favor of some free time to see the town.  Some headed to the river to see how the locals work and play.

Our small group rented electric bikes to go with a local to see his village and the craftsmen that make the wares sold around the shrines.  His family’s specialty is sand painting.  Several craftsmen were stationed at tables with paintings in various stages of completion.  The designs come from both temple designs and books they copy from. 

Next we walked down the street to a bamboo facility.  Long bamboo sticks that are harvested in the surrounding hills were stacked in racks waiting to be cut into long strips.  These strips can then be woven into mats, wall coverings and lacquer boxes.  We hopped on our bikes to go a short distance to watch lacquer items being created.  The best lacquer takes six months to be completed, with 14 layers of lacquer applied in one week intervals.  Other items such as ground bones and mineral dust is mixed into lacquer at certain stages to make it strong.  In addition to using bamboo, some of the items are made with wood or even woven horsehair (a quite difficult material to weave).  Cheaper versions are also available but the quality differences are easily spotted.

We biked down to the river to see the fishermen and the boats that lined the shore.  Boats leave from here to take passengers on a several hour journey to Mandalay.  The river is used to bath in, as a washing facility and also fishing grounds.  We returned to our hotel tired and ready to eat, pack and hit the sack.  Unfortunately, the festival across the hotel was in its final evening which meant loud music that stretched well past midnight.  The front desk provided ear plugs if the noise was too much, but I somehow slept through most of it needing to catch up from our 5:30 a.m. morning calls.

Next: Our final hours in Myanmar