We departed from Chiang Mai by Air Mandalay 6T-012 at 2:25 pm and reached to Mandalay at 2:50 ( local time ). Myanmar arts and crafts, the old Mandalay palace and moat, many of Buddhist monuments and the daily life style of upper Myanmar can be seen in Mandalay. Our group enjoyed studying gold leaf beating, tapestry, turnery, marble stone carving, silk weaving and gold smiths.We also had a nice time visitng Maha MyatmuniImage, brought from Rakhine state at the end of 18th Century and weighs about 7 tons and Shwekyaung monastery,which is built from teak and artistic woodcarvings can be seen in this Monastery, depicting Buddha's life.

We also paid a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's biggest “book”, carved on 729 marble stone slabs in Pali language and Mandalay palace, a nice spot in town with the surrounding moat Then we resumed our journey to Pyin-Oo-Lwin.

Pyin Oo Lwin is situated about 70 kilometers (2 hour drive) from Mandalay , up into the Shan Plateau at an altitude of over 1000 Meter above sea level. Pyin-Oo-Lwin is the most favorite and ideal place for visitors during the summer to escape from the heat. The town is known as gardening town due to growing various kinds of flowers. Coffee plantations are located around Pyin Oo Lwin. The town is a transit point on the former “ Burma Road ” which leads to Muse to the Chinese Border via Lashio. Unlike horse carts in other places in Myanmar , the cabins of horse carts in Pyin-Oo-Lwin are closed, like one would expect them in an old western movie. You can rent them for a trip, or for a certain time.

After settling our things at the Pyin Oo-Lwin Hotel, we went to Botanical garden. It is a nice and green garden, which stretches over a wide area just on the outskirts of Pyin Oo Lwin. It was recently refurnished by a private company and is worth the entrance fee. There are different “theme gardens”, some birds and nice walkways around the pond and in the forest. A silent open “car” can take you around. If you prefer to enjoy the quietness in the garden, the late afternoon on weekends or on weekdays might be the best time for a visit.

There are 2 waterfalls around town.
Anisakan is a really beautiful one. It can be reached after descending for about 1.5 hours (nearly 300 meters difference in altitude) through a densely plant covered ravine on a narrow and in parts steep path down. The view on arrival is stunning, the waterfall comes down to you from a cliff, and there is a pool on the bottom.
The Pwe Kauk waterfalls are very close to the road. It is a short walk to a small and a larger waterfall, which are less scenic than Anisakan but a very popular picnic spot with local people.

There is Peik Chin Myaung cave around 45 minutes away from Pyin Oo Lwin towards Lashio. It is a stalactite cave and contains many small Buddha Images. The cave is easily reached but in times slippery, as usual shoes must be taken off.

We then came back to Yangon by bus on Thursday March 23rd 2006.

Ms. Khin Aye Cho (LL 9)
Language Teacher and Grade 10 students,
No.2, Basic Education High School, Dagon Township,
Yangon, Union of Myanmar.

hs2dgn@gmail.com
khinayecho@gmail.com