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Favorite thing: Burmese by nature are a pretty laid back lot. It seems like nothing much upsets them.
There are exceptions however, one major one being if say a white male caucasian fails to pay the Foreigner usage fee that is charged at most of their desinated tourist spots.
Mind you, the usage fee at the Yele paya was only 1 FEC (1 USD), and the collection booth's location was not obvious to the first time visitor (i.e. ME) But, these are lame excuses, which would not hold much water out here....
As I strolled about the island merrily taking a few pictures, I suddenly had the omninous feeling that I was being WATCHed...
Suddenly they made their move... I tried to flee to the temple for sanctuary, but being surrounded, outnumbered, ill-equipped and unprepared, I unfortunately had to surrender my position to the local authorities.. Oh Great Lord, what great crime against humanity have I comitted ?
"You owe us a dollar..."
"Oh, a dollar ??, OK here ya go..."
"Dont do it again or else ! We've been watching you.. Next time, things may not go so easily !!"
"Yes sir yes sir yes sir yes sir..."
Actually, this scenario is actually no so uncommon. I was chased down at another stupa once for a 25 Kyat camera fee. (about 3 cents)
Updated Nov 8, 2003
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Favorite thing: To cross over to the island, there are a number of ferry boats waiting on the shore. The touts will try to steer you to the "safer" boats, which according to their billing aren't quite a susceptible to capsizing in the strong river currents...
The only difference that I noted was that the "safer" boat were empty, due to the lack of passengers willing to pay the surcharge.... I would imagine that their impeccable safety record could probably be attributed to their low usage rate...
Updated Oct 23, 2003
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Favorite thing: Once you reach the river, which is about 12 KM's past the Kyaik-Khauk Paya you will see the Yele Paya looming large on a small river island, about half way across the wide river....
Written Oct 23, 2003
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Favorite thing: See what I mean... It's guilding guilding everywhere...
I think if the Chinese government would see the plethora of gold that abounds in Burma, they would stop and say...
"Hey wait a minute... You guys can go build your own $#%$#$% bridges !!"
Written Oct 23, 2003
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Favorite thing: Along the way to Kyauktan, you will pass the attractive Kyaik-Khauk Paya, which is said to contain two hairs of the Buddha.
This stupa is located a couple of kilometers outside the small town of Thanlyin. And, save a couple of locale kids running around, you are likely to have the whole place to yourself.
I would conservative estimate that in my travels, I have now seen 35-40 hairs and maybe 4 teeth of the Buddha. It may take a lifetime, but eventually, I will see them all....
Updated Oct 23, 2003
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Favorite thing: Well by the looks of the place, I'd say the dollar that I somewhat voluntarily donated at least went to a good cause.
Quite the attactive array of temples and shrines out here in the middle of the river...
Written Oct 22, 2003
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Favorite thing: For reasons that are unknown to the author of this page, it is quite popular to by a bag of fish food, and head to the north side of the island to feed the many catfish that are circling about in the river.
I'm sure that this activity is full of symbolism and has deep religious undertones, but I guess, I just don't know what they are...
I'll be sure to ask next time I'm there...
Written Oct 22, 2003
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Favorite thing: Now, I would like to report that it was quite the arduous trek to make it out to the sacred legendary mid-river Paya...
Alas, it is not true. While I am sure that if you tried to navigate local buses and transportation out here by yourself it would be a bit challenging.
We, however took the high road during this sunny morning excursion by borrowing car, driver, and maid of a friend who lives in Yangon. And with such an imposing support cast, I have to say it was a rather easy journey...
I must be getting too old for the backpack type stuff...
Written Oct 22, 2003
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Favorite thing: To head out towards the mid river paya, first one must cross the Bago river, and then head towards Thanlyin, which is the first stop along the way. This used to involve a ferry ride across the river, but is now spanned by a large bridge across the river, which was donated by the Chinese government a few years back...
One could ask why a country with such an abundance of natural resources would need a donor country to build bridges for them ? I suppose maybe one too many of the local military junta generals has his big fat hand in the proverbial cookie jar...
Updated Oct 22, 2003
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