Bagan Temples of Myanmar

With my friend Jane living in Myanmar working for the United Nations, I didn't want to miss the chance of being so close but not visiting.  Jane took me to the Bagan Archaeological Zone, a region in central Myanmar studded with 3000 temples built mostly between the 11th and 13th centuries.  

Erica and Jane at Tharabar Gate

Many of the temples were Buddhist and received the faithful bringing offerings and performing worship.  I participated by applying a piece of gold leaf to a Buddha statue.  This act of merit-making supposedly improved my changes of reaching a better future life.

Erica earning merit

The temples also provided rich fodder for fun photos.  Jane assured me that doing silly poses in front of the Buddha statues would not reduce the merit I had just earned with the gold leaf.  Actually, she didn't say that, but she promised it wouldn't be seen as offensive, so I forged ahead!

Erica losing merit??

The most-touristed temples were large and grand, with carvings, morals, and Buddhas galore.  These temples often had impressive golden spires with maze-like inner passages winding past endless Buddha images.

Ananda Temple

As part of our Bagan experience, we rented e-bikes - electric-battery-powered motorbikes.  Although I had driven a moto around a parking lot once while living in Cambodia, this was my first time really driving a motorbike, on real streets with other real vehicles.  Granted, these e-bikes topped out at 30 mph, but even after 6 hours, I still never executed smooth turns or conquered my fear of wiping out disastrously.

First time driving a moto!

Despite my uneasiness about the e-bike, it was the highlight of the trip.  Because the real beauty of Bagan was in its atmosphere:  cruising down quiet tree-lined paths; admiring the surrounding landscape sprinkled with small, unnamed temples; suddenly seeing one of the larger temples pop into view; soaking in the peaceful spirit of the area.

Erica enjoying the peaceful beauty of Bagan