Hard to top this, anywhere on the adventure.

… and on Grand Final weekend, of course … “the most important archeological site in SE Asia”.

From the little Bagan airport we rushed to this temple for a “sunset” view. Along the way passing dozens (hundreds?) of little (and big) temples and stupas. There are 2500 of them at Bagan!

From the top of “Sunset Pagoda”, in fading light, just a few of our photos …

Here, our first taste of Burmese “vendors” … very persistent! Jan bought this sand painting for not very much.

We stumbled down the stairs in the dark and went to stay overnight at the Bagan Lodge … nice …

There are no residents in the fields where all these old relics are, but the land is still farmed … primitively … by people from local villages.

To our first big temple, Ananda Temple …

Inside a maze of corridors and niches …

… (2 of) 4 huge Buddhas …

… and many small ones … and a monk!

Then for a pony cart ride … (after battling past the vendors!)

What a wonderful 45 minutes. Bush bashing amongst the pagodas, with an excellent commentary from the driver, a Mandalay University History dropout, now looking after his mum.

We then drove through his village … a peaceful place housing about 2000 in very clean and tidy bamboo, palm leaf and tin houses.

Jan succumbed and brought a “letter carrier” from this nice fellow.

Then we plunged into the busy town to visit the market. Easily the most fun of all the markets we’ve seen. The “bus” is so crowded the bags go on top and the conductor swings off the back …

The monks have to shop too …

The market was full of colour …

… and interesting characters …

… and some brought the baby to work.

Next to the Shwezigone Pagoda dating from the 12th century.

Jan helped with maintenance, by sticking on some gold leaf.

Then a nice Burmese buffet lunch (with some of the usual suspects).

To a lacquerware factory, where the age-old, VERY labour intensive and time consuming process was explained … very interesting!

We bought some, but not quite this elaborate …

Then on to the Sulamani Temple …

… where outside …

… and inside, the original decorations are more intact …

Then Dhammayangyi Temple (the pyramid of Bagan) …

… where we found more different Buddhas …

… and a monk …

Then for the finale … a climb up this almost impossibly steep pagoda (right of photo) …

… for this 360 degree view … simply amazing!

We had plenty of time here to absorb the wonder of it. Then the 4 hours of bus, plane, bus trip back to the ship.

But sunset over the Irrawaddy River was a fitting close.