I got up at 5.30 a.m., knowing that the Captain would be sure to leave Shwe Kyet Yet River Station before the announced time of 6.30 a.m. I've commented to the Captain before that he's only happy when his ship is moving. Sure enough, shortly after six o'clock we quietly slipped away from our moorings, gently moved astern to get clear of all the barges and tugs moored upstream of us and slowly turned to starboard to face downstream. It was a bright, clear morning promising to be a hot day.
We cleared the two bridges at Sagaing and made good speed, sailing with the current. There was time for a leisurely breakfast and a bit of 'blogging' before the Doctor gave an illustrated presentation on the 'RTM Social Initiative' in the Observation Lounge. This was very well received by an appreciative audience.
On the way to Bagan, we had another chance to admire the new long road and rail bridge that now spans the river. One of my new friends on the ship is a Civil Engineer and he commented that, with its conventional, rivetted steel truss design, the bridge looks like something built in the '30s, rather than something just completed.
I took buffet lunch in the quiet restaurant, although many Guests preferred to take the meal on the Top Deck under the awning. Before 3.0 p.m. we anchored midstream opposite the 'Road to Mandalay' Jetty at Bagan, ahead of schedule. Two local boats were ready to ferry the Guests ashore for an afternoon tour of Bagan.
There were just five of us in coach number 6 with our regular guide, the charming Nang. Shortly after leaving the parking area at the jetty, we passed the Bagan Medical Clinic. I'd arranged to visit the Doctor there on the way back from the tour, so we carried on to the famous Ananda Temple. Well, we got as far as looking at the outside when one of our group decided that a visit to a laquerware workshop was essential so Nang re-planned the afternoon and deferred going inside the Ananda Temple until the next day. Instead, we took some dusty by-roads and stopped next at a smaller temple I'd not previously seen.
I've now visited the Bagan Plain a number of times but I still experience a sense of awe at the sight of hundreds upon hundred of pagodas seemingly scattered at random.
We visited a number of groups of small pagodas, some with wonderful wall paintings, in addition to spending time at the 'Everstand' laquerware factory (where some of the staff remembered me from previous visits).
We finished at the 'Sunset Pagoda' where hundreds of tourists had gathered on the fifth level (the climb was even tougher than I remembered) to watch the sunset effects.
By the time we arrived at the Clinic it was almost dark and I was shattered. The Doctor had a further ten patients to see so I decided to return to the ship since I would see the Clinic in daylight the following day. A quick shower, dinner with Arun, watch a traditional marionette performance in the Observation Lounge and, eventually, to bed.
The following day, Saturday, would be my last full day on the ship and all Sunday would be spent travelling, so I'm not sure when my next post will be.
Photographs:
Shwe Kyet Yet to Bagan, downstream.
Incomparable Bagan.
'Everstand' Laquerware.
Sunset in Bagan.
Marionette Show on 'Road to Mandalay'.
