Mingun

My last day in Mandalay was spent getting to and from Mingun to see a couple of different sites, including the world’s largest uncracked bell. We grabbed the 9am ferry and had 3 hours to explore before it returned to Mandalay. Unlike the awful ferry ride in Maluku, this one was actually wonderful as we sat in the most comfortable bamboo wooden lounge chairs, head rests included!

The first spot we stopped in was the remains of a giant pagoda that was never actually finished. It is my theory that an earthquake destroyed part of the construction and was then never fixed or finished. Had it been finished, it would have been massive. Even though there was a sign stating it was dangerous to go to the top, there was a staircase, new railing and loads of people going up to said dangerous spot. The climb to the top was hot, sweaty, and basically like an unwanted hot stone massage for my feet.  As always, the view from the top was spectacular! I've run out of words to describe these views. Sometimes, Danna and I try to talk out how we will explain what we are seeing, but neither one of us has figure out how to do so.

Next, we did stop at the Mingun Bell and it really is huge! It’s the second largest bell in the world but the largest uncracked one. It somehow survived the earthquake (the one I think destroyed the construction of the above mentioned pagoda) and laid on the ground for years until it was raised and put into its current location. It’s raised enough for people to get underneath. The echoes that occur inside it while someone is hitting it are awesome!

One of the last spots before heading back towards the boat was at a huge white pagoda. It was different from the others I've seen here because it has a wavy, walled design. It was beautiful, but so bright to look at! Before heading back to the boat, we wandered around a few smaller, pagodas as well. In all, it was a lovely day and I do wish we had had more time to explore Mingun!