Our plane from Kunming to Mandalay was a rather small one, and it's funny too-- I've never seen such a plane which have some peony painted on. There weren't so many people on board, only a small Chinese travel group and some Chinese Burmese,and us. We had had some talk with one of Chinese Burmeses in the waiting hall. And she had promised to help us getting to the city center when we arrived Mandalay.
The plane took off at exactly 12:20p.m.. But landing at 12:10 p.m. Yah...I know, it's because of the time zones. But it still produced some strange sense in me. Actually, when I caught the first glimpse of Burma, I started to feel that the plane was really a time machine, taking me from 21th century to a few decades ago.Men worn some traditional clothes, just like a long skirt, which I later was told called longyi, and women walked in the street with a big jar carried on the head. There were coconuts, blue sky, dusty street with few cars(sure only in the suburbs)
The Chinese Burmeses we talked with before gave us a ride to the city center finally. It was not free, but much reasonable than the price offered at the airport. The cab drivers waiting outside usually charge foreigners twice as much as the price that should be, and you would have no other choices except our case, because the Mandalay Airport was very desolate.You can find only few airport staffs and cabbies.
So, the Chinese Burmeses' santana was crammed into 7 people, herself and her sisiter and brother, us and another backpacker we met at the airport.
On arriving the city center, we went to the railway station in the first instance. We planed to take tonight train to Pagan. The train leaves at 9:00p.m. ,and we got the whole afternoon to get around. So we went to Mahamuni Paya, and then Shwe in Bin Kyaung.
Mahamuni Paya had lots of visitors. There were a big gold statue of Buddha in the center building, but only men are allowed to go inside and touch it, or maybe put some gold on it. It is known as the most famous one in Burma. And yes, it was gorgeous. But I like Shwe in Bin Kyaung more, it was more peaceful and isolated. Actually, we were the only visitors there, and the architecture was unique and nice. The monk there had good English and big smiles, very kind.
After the visit, it was nearly 6:00p.m. According to the lonely planet, we stopped by the too too resteraut for dinner. It was a typical Burmese, a lot of wild vegetables with curry and other sauces. It was delicious to my aunty and uncle,but strange to me. The boss and waiters were very kind, always smiling at us, though we have communication difficulties. We converted some dollars there.
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