While riding around Bagan, we spotted some farmers harvesting sesame seeds. Wow, were we lucky to have such a majestic background.

 

       

Our next stop was Khay-min-gha. Here we walked among the leaning and the restored pagodas.

      

We then met the “Keeper of the Keys” (to the small pagoda) who is known for her ever-present charoot and coconut shell ash catcher.

   

She then introduced us to her granddaughter and they posed for us next to the Buddha in the temple.

   

The market at Nyaing Oo

           

I am not sure if this woman was just emptying the water after cleaning the chickens or she was washing her feet.

You have to love the combination of fabrics and patterns in the outfits.

   

 

 

Another interesting and colorful outfit.  

I do not remember actually seeing this.

These two women were fast asleep but when I took my first photo the one woman woke up and smiled!

Ananda Pagoda

   

We went to Bulethee Pagoda to view the sunset from there. As you can see people have climbed up to get a better view of the sunset in Bagan.

   

On our way into a restaurant, we saw these umbrellas in front of a shop.

This is   Nanda Puppet Theatre, where we ate dinner and watched an excellent marionette show.

        

Nyaung Oo Township – a rural village outside of Bagan

The water supply is so scarce that farmers have to come to this water station twice a week to pick up water for home, personal, and farm use.

  Each waiting his turn.                    

And finally an interesting look at an ox cart wheel.

Mt Popa

 

In this town the monkeys rule… They were quite aggressive and seemed very dirty.

My shoulder hurts just looking at this. 

We had lunch at an elegant restaurant with a great view of Mt Popa and an entertaining elephant at the entrance.

 

This is Sulemani Pagoda (circa 1182) and a monk who was a pleasure to photograph.

   

Inside of Sulemani Pagoda there are beautiful frescos and seated Buddhas.

Here we encountered a herd of oxen being herded in front of Sulemani Pagoda.

  

In New Bagan we visited Manua Paya with the very large reclining Buddha cramped into a tiny building. Manua was the Mon king imprisoned here by King Anawratha. His Buddha in Prison Paya demonstrated his feelings.

Notice that from one direction the Buddha looks to be smiling but from the other direction you see a frown.

 

Some final photos in Bagan.