The program today was rather full so we had a reasonably early start. Our first port of call was to a factory where people weave the cloth for longyis. Unfortunately we didn't stay long so I was only able to buy  a few for gifts but none for myself.

The reason for the lack of time was our visit to the Mahagandayan Monastery. More than a thousand monks live and study there and our visit was to coincide with the monks second meal of the day. There were numerous tourists around, some of whom were not following the rules.

NOTICES

1. BE QUIET.
2. PLEASE DON'T CROSS THE LINES OF MONKS
3. KINDLY REFRAIN FROM SMOKING IN THE CROWD.
4. PLEASE WEAR THE MODEST CLOTHING HERE:

• NO MINI OR SHORT SKIRTS.
• NO BARE SHOULDERS.
• NO EXPOSED CHESTS.
• NO EXPOSED STOMACHS.

Monks of all ages line up with their bowls to accept offerings of rice, vegetables and soup.	Children spend time in the monastery studying.	Kitchens need to be large to cater for such large number.

From the Monastery we drove to a two hundred year old teak bridge where we were accosted by groups of children selling postcards and trinkets. They were very persistent even following us as we walked along the bridge. In the end I gave in to pressure and bought far too many postcards.

After all that exercise we needed a freshen up and something to eat. Then it was off to Pyin Oo Lwin, a two hour drive into the hills north of Mandalay. Pyin Oo Lwin is a Hill Station that was frequented by the colonial British when they wanted to escape the heat of Mandalay.

The Kandawgyi Hill Resort, one of the many colonial buildings in Pyin Oo Lwin.	Margaret's room was on the left and mine was on the right.

Dinner served under the stars was a very pleasant meal. After eating I collapsed into one of the three beds in my room.

Last changed: Saturday October 18, 2014