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19th day already, not much time left!!
We are on our way to Mrauk U, and it’s time to say goodbye to Ngapali and its beaches, the nicest in South East Asia.
A long boat ride up the Kaladan River - we arrive after sunset. Lunch on the boat, a trishaw ride through the darkened town. All this beauty is tiring and I know sleep will come quickly.
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20th day
Mrauk U is located 70 km from Sittwe. This ancient capital was founded in 1430 by the Rakhine people and conquered in 1784 by the Burmese. We visit Shitthaung Pagoda with more than 80.000 Buddha images!
The many temples are surrounded by lush, beautiful scenery.
Has time stood still?
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In the shadow of the house, in the sun of the river near the boats, in the shadow of the fig tree, Siddharta grew up, the nice son of the Brahman, the young hawk, together with Gorinda, his friend”
“Siddharta”, Hermann Hesse
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21st Our last day – (On this trip!)
Too soon our trip is nearly over - In Sittway with its Indian and Bangladeshi influences, you can feel the nearness of the border. From here we have to fly back to Yangon, where we will spend our last night before leaving Myanmar.
Staff at the Savoy Hotel welcome us and we have a wonderful candlelit diner in the tropical patio next to the pool. Later in the evening we take trishaws and drive to the “Twinkling Wonder” the golden Shwedagon. It is a special night and the pagoda is thronged with worshippers.
Today they are celebrating the famous festival of light, and many pilgrims have made the trip. Every Pagoda in Myanmar shimmers with lights, and families meet around the pagodas to be near to Buddha on this special night. Buddha images and pagodas will be freshly gilded by tiny pieces of goldleaf tonight.
Myanmar is a land of treasures, too many for one trip!!!
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“I travel because I like to travel.
I enjoy the sense of freedom it gives me,
It pleases me to be rid of ties,
responsibilities, duties, I like the unknown.
I have the notion that by travel I can add to my personality
and so change myself a little.”
Gentleman in the Parlour, Somerset Maugham, 1935
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