Temple 1: Mandalay, Sagun and Inwa

We altogether flew from Bangkok to Mandalay and stayed again at Golden Mandalay Inn. First night we ate at the Green Elephant, which is expansive, but worth the money, as the food is good and you can sit in a nice garden. Despite the rain we climbed the Mandalay hill, but being here the fourth time, I admit, that it is better in dry season...  I was three times in the dry season in Mandalay and now the first time in the rainy season. So it is always different.

Next day we hired a car for a day (35000KYT) and we drove to the U Bein bridge. What a difference between rainy and dry season. A lot of the land was flooded and the water was quite high:

Nearby is also a great monastery, with thousands of monks. So they have to cook and wash big...

For Inwa we had to take a little boat, which is really fun. Like so often in Asia they mount a strong engine without a gear box (and no exhaust) at the end of the boat, hook a propeller on the engine and voila:

We had also to transport four bike form other tourists, but everything goes in Asia...

In the afternoon we drove to Sagun, which was again wonderful and magic. Several monasteries are build on the other side of the Irrawady at several hills and you have a splendid view.

What I really like is the fact, that many Burmanese people practice were religion and you always see them praying and sitting on their knees in front of a a small or giant Buddha:

2017 – The Asian River Tour, unique villages and Temples

River 1: Bangkok

After the Abi-Feier from Adrian we flew the next day to Bangkok. Despite the lovely service of Thai Airways we were dead tired and fall asleep at the pool of the Chatrium. In the afternoon we explored the great rive of Chao Phrayain Bangkok. There are regular speed boats and the tickets only costs 18THB. The boat arrives fast, a series whistling (Trillerpfeifen)  from the the boatman helps the captain to maneuver his boat, when the boatman jumps off with a rope and holds the boat, before people quickly depart the boat and other people arrive. You have to be quick, because the next whistle comes fast and the boat engine starts roaring.

The ferry is fast, there is no traffic jam and it is cheap. We really enjoyed the boat rides and I believe this is a good start to see Bangkok!

A good starter to Asia is also a visit to China Town:

In the evening we met Grace and Mary and we had a great dinner in one of the many street restaurants. Unfortunately this was the only good moment with them...

Nevertheless we enjoyed the marvelous view from the 28th floor of the Chatrium: