Myanmar

Yangon : ( Rangoon ) MYANMAR: ( Journey #2 )

The amazing Schwendagon Pagoda  Rangoon.

Nothing can prepare you for this amazing site..

The many tons of gold glimmer in the bright sunshine

THE ENTRANCE TO THE SHWENDAGON PAGODA

After receiving my visa in Bangkok I got an Air Asia flight to Yangon Myanmar. This was my first stop on my journey around the country..I was disappointed that I could not get the train at this particular time as all was in control of the military..I was extremely happy to be here after a few apprehensions of the political scene at the time.There were just so many exciting places to see and visit here before moving on to my next destination of Bagan further north in the country.
        The Schwedagon Temple .Yangon Myanmar:
   Known as the" Winking Wonder" They say that this is one of the most amazing monuments on earth.When Schwedagon Temple (Umbrella) was repaired it was found that the gold bur at its tip called "The Diamond Bud" was found to be crowned with A.76 carat solitaire diamond and encrusted with 4,350 smaller ones with a total carat weight of  1800 carats.This Temple is completely covered in tons of gold...This is one of the Top Ten Temples in the World and the most amazing Temple to visit. The day I visited it was just so hot..and as they take your shoes ..some of the areas where you walk was very difficult.as even the marble is very hot.. The temperatures are excessive...I've never been so hot anywhere on earth as it is here in Myanmar..To walk among these amazing structures it is hard to imagine the wealth here while the local people are so poor..This is also a Unesco W.H.S.    This is a souvenir card and an amazing stop on my "Around the World by Train" journey  Posted home  25  June 2009.