Today I took the 9AM ferry up the Ayeyarwady River. From a distance I could see the Mingun Paya, the biggest single construction project in the history of this country. It dwarfed everything else around it. When I got off the ferry boat, I was able to see the remains of two of the largest stone lions I’ve seen in the country. They are guarding the entrance. I had three hours to explore.
I visited Hsinbyume Paya and then the Mingun Bell (2nd largest in the world), and finally walked up the 50m tall base of Mingun Paya. Construction stopped after 20 years on this brick structure, but the original plan was to build a 150m tall pagoda, the largest in the world. And this was over 200 years ago. It seemed a little dangerous to walk up here. No hand rails and there are giant cracks everywhere from past earthquakes that you have to step over. Plus you have to do this all barefoot, which seems to be the rule most places in this country.
I also saw a sign that said Computer Class, so I looked and talked to the principal of this school and saw some kids learning on computers which was interesting way out here.
It was a relaxing boat ride back to Mandalay.