March 17: Salay
It is forecasted to be only 99F today as we walk through Salay, a village of about 30,000, founded in the 13th Century.
Salay Social Aid Assoc.
We visited Mann Paya Pagoda which contains a lacquerware Buddha having virtually no neck and other attributes suggesting a very early Buddha form. This statue was hollow and could be viewed inside from the back.
Man Paya Buddha
The following are views of a monastery in teak designed as a copy of the Crown Prince House of Mandalay. Note that inside and out the wood has a trace of yellow, gold leaf that has been worn away.
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
Yoke SounKyaung Taw Gyi Monastery
In the afternoon, we were taken by van 30 minutes up to Tan Kyi Mountain which has a commanding panoramic view of the Irrawaddy.
Tan Kyi Temple from the boat
Vans await our arrival to take us up the mountain.
View of the Irrawaddy from the temple.
Wooden Bells to call for prayer. The chrysanthemum shaped icon reminds the faithful of virtues Buddhists must attain.
The temple is under renovation.
Now it’s back to the Irrawaddy Explorer for Happy Hour.
Photographic Meanderings/Myanmar and Vietnam 