Day 8-9: Yangon
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon |
A mixture of colonial and Burmese at Maha Bandoola Park |
Colonial Architecture |
The Strand Hotel, Yangon |
Sunset over one of the city’s many pagodas |
Inside the Shwedagon complex |
Our last day in Yangon was to be spent visiting a few of the remaining sights while preparing for our various journeys back to Hong Kong (our group of eight would be returning along four different routes – two of the group had left last night). After an interrupted night’s sleep in the unforgiving tropical heat, we rose late and got taxis north to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda – the most important temple in the country and one of the most impressive religious sights in the world. I had passed nearby last night to watch the sunset but wanted to return to go inside. At US$8, the pagoda is probably the most expensive attraction in all of Burma, but once you are inside and you see the sheer quantity of gold that makes up the network of stupas and shrines (not to mention the central pagoda itself), you start to understand why. Unfortunately, having had to take our shoes off, we spent much of our visit running between shadowy areas as the stone floor must have been reaching temperatures high enough to fry an egg. Local worshippers and monks were not spared from this either – definitely one of the design flaws in Buddhist temples.
Outside Aung San Suu Kyi’s house |
With the Shwedagon seen, we felt we had done a good enough job of Yangon to do a bit more casual wandering before scuttling back to the hotel to make the most of the air conditioning during the unbearable afternoon heat. By the time late afternoon had come around it was time for myself and Jeremy to say our goodbyes and make our way to the airport. We had arranged for the company who had provided our driver to give us an airport transfer and were delighted to find that it was Jimmy, our driver for the whole trip, who came to collect us. We weren’t particularly pushed for time and as we made our way north to the airport we asked Jimmy to briefly stop by at the house of Aung San Suu Kyi – where she was placed under house arrest for all those years. Situated in a quiet, wealthy area, the house has no particular marking except for a range of flags and banners dedicated to her NDP party. It was worth stopping by however as it is a place of great importance in Burmese history and something of a pilgrimage for admirers of the Lady herself. Jimmy was obviously a massive fan – giving us a massive grin and thumbs up when we pulled up outside. It was a fitting end to our time in Burma and very much felt like we were seeing part of a story that is still in progress. I hope to be back.
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