One hustling day in Mandalay

After shooting few images when the sun still not bright, I walk along the bridge, want to check how long is this bridge? From here, stand and watch those sun rays in the early morning slanting through those floating clouds create those lightening streaks, very great! There few of small boats in the distance, few fishermen are fishing. In the middle of bridge has some resting point. At here, I had enjoy one slice of cold watermelon.

Now, the sun rise high gradually, I come back bridge head. It’s start scattered rain, dark clouds coming up, quite fast. When I approached ground, it becomes big rain pouring down. I run to one eatery nearby, take shelter the rain and seek something to have breakfast.

This is a traditional eatery of Myanmar people with many dishes as noodle, rice, other dishes…I suggest one bowl of noodles mixing and one coffee cup, taking a rest and wait rain stop. Especially, milk tea here is very delicious, it has a characteristic flavor that I am never ever tasted in anywhere. That’s great taste!

I thought that the rain will stop soon, however, it’s keeps persistent from 7h till 12 h noon. I had stayed in the eatery the whole morning, can not go out. Final, I decide must go because I not have much time, whether still raining. I wear the old rain coat bought from a motorbike taxi driver at there with price of 1.000 Kyats, ride back the center in order arrive Mingul village. Fortunately, go a way, the rain stopped and then there a slight sunny…
Mingun – Mandalay Hill

I ride to the pier where there the boats ferrying passengers cross river to arrive Mingul village. However, when I arrive at and got an information said that only one trip from the Myan Gyan Jetty pier arrive Mingun village at 9h morning. The return trip start at 1h in the afternoon. Wow, at that time also near 1h. Some people guide me go by road but must go in the round road so far away, oh! It’s will not be enough time. A little disappointed, I ride towards Mandalay Hill.

Distance of Mandalay Hill and Myan Gyan Jetty pier about 30 minutes ride. On the road has many slopes and tortuous but in general it doesn’t matter to me. I feel here quite like the road leading to Doi Suthep pagoda in Chiang Mai. It’s also go up to the top, you visit the pagoda and watch the whole city from a high position.

Go by horse-drawn carriage in Inwa village

Almost 3h in afternoon when I leave Mandalay Hill. I hurried ride in the direction of Ubein bridge to arrive Inwa village, intend then will come back Ubein bridge to watch the sunset. I go by boat with cost about 1200kyats and take 5 minutes arriving Inwa village. When approach the shore, in front of me is a lot of horse-drawn carriages already wait available to serve tourists. Each carriage only contain about 2 – 3 people, I suggested a few people go by horse-drawn carriage together in order share together cost money (10.000kyats for one trip go around village and 4 sightseeing places), however, no one approved. They all go in separate groups. Fortunately, final also one coachman had accepted ferrying me go alone with price only 5000Kyats.

Horse-drawn carriage is a popular means in Myanmar, especially in some tourist places as Bagan or Mandalay. Go by horse-drawn carriage is also interesting experience that you should try when go backpacking in Myanmar. It’s a gentle feeling, peaceful. It’s also the most reasonable means for you moving in Inwa village because this village absolutely are dirt roads also quite wide. There some sightseeing places require buy tickets (price is quite high) so I only stand and watch at outside.