Pagodas in a desert like landscape as far as one can see: small ones and big ones of very different shapes. That is Bagan. We reach the old town and former King’s residence right at sunset which pours its red light all over the pagodas.
Only the next day we start to realize how huge this area of temples really is as we cycle through the pagodas on small and dusty dirt roads. Of the original number of 6,000-10,000 pagodas nowadays about 2,000-2,500 are still existent on an area of 36km². And they are all different: some are massive golden stupas, some are big square shaped brick buildings you can enter, nearly like pyramids and others are small and simple. At the time of Bagan’s prosperity (1050-1300 AD) everybody who could had built a pagoda here. At that time Bagan was not only the centre of Myanmar’s Buddhism but also one of the biggest cities of the medieval times.
At the end of the day we can only explore a small part and would have stayed longer, but the day ends with a nice boat trip and a cold Myanmar beer on the Ayeyarwaddy river.
The next three days we cycle via Mount Popa to Lake Inle. Again we take small roads through paddy and vegetable fields. And also when we rest for lunch there is a lot to see. At one place for example we get real typical food at a family’s home while watching how they produce incense sticks and bamboo products.
Mount Popa is considered to be a holy mountain in Myanmar and it is no surprise that a famous temple is located at one of the summits. Here one can see the mixture between Buddhism and the belief in spirits (nats) very clearly. This is very common in Myanmar.
On the last day we continue downhill almost the whole day to Lake Inle. Although the region is very touristy by now it still a wonderful experience to be on Lake Inle by boat. Besides the noisy motorboats there are still the famous fishermen who steer their boats with one leg, while bringing out their nets. It is fascinating to see that about 17,000 people live in several villages in the water of the lake.
The cycling tour was really worth the pain, a very special and intense experience. For some days we stay at Lake Inle before we set off to our last stage in Myanmar.
