Around Bagan.

Temples.  Lots of them.  They're dotted about everywhere, thousand upon thousands, more than you can shake a stick at, and there used to be about gives times more.  Looting, earthquakes and neglect saw many of them disappear.  It is still a very impressive area to visit.

The best place to appreciate the scale of Bagan is fom the air - so that's what we all did yesterday. The dawn balloon ride was marvellous beyond words.  We all agreed that it was a true 'once in a lifetime' marvel. It was the perfect start to the perfect day.  After breakfast a bit of a rest, we went to a tiny traditional village where we were warmly greeted and invited to look around.  Everyone was so hospitable, rushing to get bowls of peanuts, a crop the grow here, for us to try. Then lunch under the trees and a meander around the temples. Yet another fabulous dinner, by the pool, with everyone wearing longyi completed the day. 

If I seem to be talking about food a lot in these rambles it's because we are being exceptionally well fed  here.  Everyday a fab lunch, and an equally fab dinner is arranged somewhere amazing.  Tonight's is at a floodlit temple. The organisation of this rally could not be bettered, so many fantastic things are being arranged for us and everyone is perfect.  If only they could sort out some decent wifi ~!

Today, there was a drive and a regularity up to Mont Popa.  Car 2 decided to miss that and explore further around the temple area.  One half of the crew got up early for a dawn bike ride with Kate and Simone.   Simone left us after a bit and Kate and I went on getting hopelessly lost, and a bit stuck, down the soft sand tracks.  At one point we were caught up with the balloon landings.  Tractors, pick ups and buses all converging, along with two English ladies, of a certain age, trying to keep out of the way.  It was hard work, especially as Kate then got a puncture, coupled with us going far further than expected, but we had massive fun.  Eventually, we found our way back, feeling very virtuous and in need of breakfast and a little oxygen!

We came across the two ladies in the photo quite by chance.  They were stroking and kissing me but it was me who was the more amazed, surely.




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