Just Back From | Myanmar

Our General Manager, Meta, took an enviable river cruise journey through the unspoiled country of Myanmar with Sanctuary Retreats. She returned with tales of kindness and a trove of photos from the enchanting experience. Follow along as Meta captions a selection of photos from her trip that capture the hospitable spirit of her Myanmar adventure.

Enjoy photos of vividly-colored temples, joyful new friends, untainted sunsets and more, below.

Local market in Pagan, known as “Little Bagan”, outside Mandalay.

Left: Young girl and I at Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay, built after the founding of Mandalay in 1857. Surrounding the pagoda are 729 shrines, each containing a single marble slab inscribed on both sides with Burmese script. Together, the 729 slabs are called “the world’s largest book,” each stone slab representing one of its pages.

Right: School girls at a local monastery, near Amarapura Township, Mandalay.

Monk at Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay.

Iconic sunset at U Bein Bridge, Mandalay.

Clockwise from right: Bamboo raft, Irrawaddy River. With school boys, outside of Pagan. Boatman of Longtail boats, the best way to view U Bein Bridge and the sunset. Temples and stupas of Bagan.

Mingun Pahtodawgyi is a monumental incomplete stupa in the Sagaing Region. The ruins are the remains of a massive project begun in 1790 by King Bodawpaya and was intentionally left unfinished after the receipt of a foreboding prophesy. The prophesy stated that if the temple were completed, the country would be gone and the king would be dead. If completed, Mingun Pahtodawgyi would have been 150 meters tall. Now, it holds the record of being the largest pile of bricks in the world.

Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun. The pagoda was built for the Princess Hsinbyume in 1816, who died in childbirth.

Children in the village of Sin Kyun. Andrew Harper's partner Sanctuary Retreats has recently completed a library in the village and continues to work in partnership with the 1,000 residents.

Left: Chef of the Sanctuary Retreats Ananda presenting and explaining indigenous ingredients found in local markets.

Right: Spices in the local market.

Known as the “Westminster Abbey of Burma,” the Ananda Temple in Bagan was completed in 1091 AD. It houses four standing golden Buddhas, and is one of the most beautiful temples in Myanmar.

Left: The best examples of handcrafted lacquerware are found outside of Bagan. This handicraft was adapted from China in the first century, and a single piece can take months to complete.

Right: Buddhist nun at Sutaungpyei Pagoda, atop Mandalay Hill. Sutaungpyei means “wish-fulfilling.”

Panoramic view of Mandalay from Mandalay Hill.

Iconic sunset over the temples and stupas of Bagan.

All photos © Meta Carson.

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