Woodlands Hotel where we stayed in Mandalay The huge 26ft solid marble buddha at Sandamuni Paya. This was our first stop seeing a great array of sights today. One of the 729 stone tablets, each housed in a separate stupa around the Sandamuni Paya. (these are often called the “Worlds Largest Book” Then to Atumashi Kyaungdawgyi where it was interesting to see the gift stands people had made for the monks. Apparently this was an annual ritual and gifts included everything a monk might need from soap to cooking pots and refrigerators and fancy folded money. Next door was Shwenandaw Kyaung. This was the building King Mindon died in and as it was thought to be haunted it was moved out of the Palace compound where it avoided detraction during WW2 and hence shows much of the original ornate teak carving. detail of wall panel carving at Shwenandaw Kyaung Off down the busy 26th street towards the River We found the ferry terminal and saw the locals washing and drying their clothes Lunch on 35th street and a group of young girl? monks go from door to door allowing people to give. On the main street of Mandalay (78th St) a modern whopping mall nears completion. After taking a wrong turn on our ride south to U Bein’s bridge we followed a small side road though a busy local market. Another shot in the local market We approached the lake along a small dirt road. Our detour had even included single track through farm fields. Approaching Taungthaman Lake and the famous U Bein’s bridge Bus tourists take small boats out onto the lake to see sunset We sat at a teashop having a cold beer And watched the sunset Crossing U Bein’s bridge Crossing U Bein’s bridge We purchased some artwork, a painting of the bridge done using a razor blade technique. And the sunset silhouette was spectacular At night we went to a show of traditional dancing.