Golden Cuckoo to the Golden Sunset

After very nice conversation over a yummy lunch of Thai Green Curry we headed out for more sightseeing.

 

By the way it is pronounced Bah-GAHN.  Just in case you were wondering.

Our first stop was a laquerware  workshop, of which there are many in Bagan.  Traditional Myanmar laquerwear is an amazing process that take months to produce one piece.  It's very intricate and delicate work.

 Each detail is carved carefully by hand.

 The artistry is amazing.

 I will not go into all the details, I would like to but I am afraid we have been a little short on time lately and so I will share the highlights as I can.  However, if you ever visit Bagan, drop in at the Golden Cuckoo Laquerware Workshop.  It's well worth your time!

Bagan is set in a plain that is littered with hundreds of stupas, pagodas and temples that are centuries old.  It is absolutely unlike any other place I have ever been.  It felt like being in an Indiana Jones movie!  In fact, It would make a great place to set a film!  I will share just a few pics with you.  This is Ananda Paya.  It is almost one thousand years old. 

 

Notice the excellent droolage on this ancient statue:

 

 The temples are scattered everywhere and the people live and work among them.

 After seeing a few of the more important structures we raced to the Sunset Pagoda to see the...you guessed it....The Sunset.  The name kind of gave it away.

And it was a beautiful sunset!

 Recognize these two adventurers?

 Told ya it's like an Indiana Jones movie.

Well, that was the end of, ONE day.  Yes, all the adventures from the bus to the sunset took place in 25 hours. Ok, one day and one hour.   Phew.  We were a little tired.  I lie.  We were totally wiped out!  So we went to bed (after a nice meal with a puppet show)  and the next day came bright and early!