Mandalay, Myanmar

We arrived in Mandalay, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on April 26. We were really looking forward to seeing Myanmar because there aren't hoards of tourists there. Yes, I know we are tourists but we have found that when there are a lot of tourists in one place, the locals get a little pushier. Mandalay was a nice town - one of my favorites actually because the locals were friendly and especially because they all thought Paul was a celebrity...which made me even cooler for scoring a big American white guy celebrity. I got a lot of thumbs ups and big smiles from the local girls and women.

Country #8

When we arrived, we found a taxi to take us to our place for the night.

Paul and Capt'n enjoying the scenery

After resting for a couple hours, we got a driver to take us up to Mandalay Hill (we didn't realize we were going to a temple) and then to Amarapura to walk across the U Bein Bridge and watch the beautiful sunset on Taungthaman Lake.

Driving by some temples 

We arrived at Sutaungpyai Pagoda where we encountered the first of the giggling crowds who loved to stare at Paul (Paul is convinced they were all saying, "look at the hairy monkey man!"). After walking around the temple a few times and experiencing the first of many dirty feet episodes, we headed to U Bein Bridge.

Locals praying

Walking around the temple

Stupa

The view from the hill/temple

Another view of Mandalay

A different perspective of buddha

U Bein Bridge is the longest teak bridge in the world and the location of where a few locals asked Paul to take a picture with them. They included me too so my feelings weren't hurt (at least that was my theory). I'm sad that I didn't ask them to take a picture on my camera too. But I knew Paul just wanted to just get to the other side because this wooden footbridge, around 200 years old and 1.2 km long, was scary to walk on. The bridge was wobbly and it didn't help that people would whizz by on their bikes. I'm not sure how well it is maintained but we made it across safely so that's all that matters!

U Bein Bridge

Locals were fishing

Lake Taungthaman

Paul was looking under the bridge because a cow was mooing

I loved taking these reflection shots

More reflection shots of locals

Self portrait - Paul is really getting good at these!

Another boat

I liked the colors in this shot and you can see a stupa in the background

We decided to take a boat back across since it was questionable walking across the first time. Plus, the sun was setting and it only cost 5 USD!

And I got photos like this so it was well worth it!

More of the calm lake

The sun is starting to set

Paul is contemplating life

Paul took this pic

More sunset shots

I like this one with our boat and reflections

There were a lot of other folks with the same idea

This is one of my favorites

This one too! It was just beautiful on this lake.

Another one with the boat but with the bridge and sun setting in the back

I liked this one that Paul took too

This one makes me laugh

We headed back to the Peacock Lodge to get cleaned for dinner before heading to see the Moustache Brothers - a live performance by two brothers and a cousin (as well as many other family members) that include some cheesy jokes, videos that feature the famous group (the movie "About a Boy" mentions Par Par Lay), cultural dancing, and subtle criticism of their government. Par Par Lay, Lu Zaw and Lu Maw are the Moustache Brothers (Par Par Lay and Lu Maw are brothers). Par Par Lay and Lu Zaw served about 6 years in a labor camp after criticizing the government in a performance at the home of Aung San Suu Kyi in 1996. They are only allowed to perform for foreigners in the garage of their house. Here are a few snapshots from the performance.

This is the stage where they perform

This is Par Par Lay

Lu Maw and his wife - who was on the cover of Lonely Planet circa 2003 (ish)

This is Lu Zaw and Lu Maw

The cultural dancing is a family affair

We were beat by the time we got back to the Peacock Lodge - close to 11pm. And lucky us, we had a 6am pick up for a flight to Heho where we visited Inle (aka Innlay, Inlay) Lake.

Bangkok had us...

On April 22 we took a short flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. We decided to stay for 4 nights since we had laundry to do and errands to run (we had to get our Myanmar visa before our flight on April 26). We arrived in the evening and just took it easy since the plan was to get up early to head to the Myanmar Embassy. It was morning rush hour on the train so it was packed...

Crowded doesn't quite describe the scene

Paul was the tallest guy there...some were staring

Here's another person looking at Paul

Paul needs more room...

Finding The Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (what a mouthful!) wasn't too hard and the line was thankfully not too long. We were in and out within about 1.5 hours. But before we got in line, Paul needed to get photos for the visa since he looks a bit different from the photos we took back in November 2012..since Capt'n (his scraggly beard) came into our lives. I still can't stop laughing at this photo - there are so many things about it that make me laugh but what stands out the most (which I'm sure you will all agree) is the image of his floating head.

My son, you do not remember me, I am Jor-el. I am your father. 

Now, was a white t-shirt a good choice against a white background? The answer is YES! because of how much joy this photo gives me. Surprisingly, the Myanmar embassy accepted it and we were scheduled to pick up our passports in a couple days.

After a lazy afternoon, we were excited to meet up with our friend, Kelly from New York (a fellow Westside Tavern patron) who moved to Bangkok on a 2 year teaching assignment. We had dinner together and then headed to watch some Muay Thai at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium!

Excited about muay thai

I tried to take a picture of the 3 of us but just got Paul and Kelly

Here is the 2nd attempt...you can kind of see us...?

One of the many matches we watched

There were many supporters for the blue corner here...

Paul was very excited

Me and Kelly

More muay thai

These guys started young

The guy in red was KO'd. He was out for a good 10 seconds and then put in a wheelchair.

Afte the match, we strolled through Soi Cowboy (Cowboy Street). There are no words to adequately describe it...but this is the street they filmed the fight in Hangover 2 if that helps.

Paul was afraid walking down this street

After Soi Cowboy, we went back to the hotel...along the way, these VW bar vans were set up

So, we stopped to have a drink!

Yes, it is a VW bar van!

Then we had a nightcap at our hotel bar

The next day we took it easy - did our laundry and had a nice dinner. Our last day in Bangkok we finally did some sight seeing after dragging ourselves out of bed. And the only motivation we used was the fact that we had to pick up our passports between 3:30 and 4:30pm...

So, on April 25, we made our way to the Chao Phraya River for a boat ride along the river and within the canals - including a stop over at the famous temple, Wat Pho. We felt like JCVD in Kickboxer.

You can't quite see the engine in this picture but trust me, it was hefty. 

I love Paul's hair in this shot

Along the way we were able to see all the residences along the river

It was a nice boat ride

P-Rex pointing out the different highlights of the river

Floating Market

Floating Market making a sale to Paul - a beer for our already drunk boat driver

Another shot of the river

Wat Arun from the Chao Phraya River

We made it to Wat Pho!

To see the reclining buddha

5 meters high and 43 meters long with his right arm supporting the head.

Can you tell it was hot that day?

With Buddha's feet in the shot

And, a shot from behind

With his right arm holding his head up

Heading back

For our last night in Bangkok, we met up with Kelly for dinner. It was great to see someone we knew since we're closing in on 4 months away from the states. Plus, Kelly was nice enough to let us do our laundry at her place not to mention provide great travel tips for Thailand and Myanmar. Thanks Kelly for making us feel a little bit at home on the road!

We ate at Zaks Wine Bar two nights in a row - the chef is from New Hampshire!

The next day we were back on the road again - headed to Myanmar!