MAWLEMYINE 2nd and 3rd FEB MYANMAR

Our trip continues from Bago to Mawlamyine, then Bilu Gyun Island, the Paauk Méditation center and the biggest reclining Buddha in Myanmar. 

First we found a good hotel in the center of town

On the way to visit a pagoda on the top of the hill we came across a Hindu full moon ceremony.

 The man on the left just outside the photo has many hooks piercing  his back to pull the chariot. For this Hindu ceremony, they say that the people who do this don't feel any pain because they are in a spiritual and devotional trance which brings them closer to Lord Murugun .The trance is induced by chanting , drumming and incense. 

Buddistes also celebrate the full moon and 28 chariots where paraded around the streets with Buddah on each one of them each gaily decorated in a  different way. 

Today we cross the estuary to go Bilu Glyn island with our bikes.

Ju was attacked by a pair of geese as we rode down the lane , she took a moment to get past them.

Tar is going to be heated to pour onto the road, others lay big rocks than smaller ones than the tar to finish with a covering of  sand

 Peaceful views of the countryside where there is almost a  hayrick per house.  
Next to a large pagoda we found these statues we think they  represent Mara, the Buddist devil  who represents 
temptation,  sin and death. 

The local hairdresser,  0,4€ for a haircut ! The family is to kind and pass their time learning English with Ju

After 4 hours cycling on the island we crossed back to the continent.

Today it's Mon National day. the Mon is just one of the 7 ethnic tribes in Myanmar. They are thought to be one of the earliest people in Indochina. On their national day they go and visit Buddha. They  dress in red and whiten this special day.  There are thought to be 8 million living in Myanmar. 

A visit at sunset to one of the Pagodas at the top of the hill overlooking Mawlemyine 

 When the sunsets, if you take a photograph os the spire  you can see a buddha near the top. This buddha can only be seen through a camera and is invisible to the naked eye.  

The Paauk meditation center, is the quietest in the world
More than 1000 people, mostly monks but also foreigners stay in a little home and meditate from 4h 30am to 9 pm. Our visit was very peaceful and  calm,  the tranquility of the monastery was very restful.  

Umbrellas are placed judiciously at the bottom of the covered pathway to the meditation hall. 

Some recommandations for the meditation hall.

We arrived at lunch time so were able to visit the meditation hall which had beautifully polished wooden floors. Each meditator has his own mat with a mosquito net , torch and private affairs. 

The hall is very big and is on 2 floors with the outside corridors being used also.  

Buddha in the center at the top of the meditation hall. Written on the walls around the room in English and Buddist Sanskrit are Buddhas teachings : 
one of them being : '"Hatred is never appeased in the world. it is only appeased by non hatred." 

The exterior of the building with gardens and statues. 

A monk's food container which is carefully cleaned after his last meal of the day ( before noon) and left in the sun to dry out.