The towns are a bit more "developed" than in India.

A feeling of walking into Legoland.

One that we saw hints of previously in SE Asia.

Totally alien and indecipherable to us.

And a mirror.

The arches are for decoration, the roof is flat.

These are at floor level for our inspection.

The halo is of neon lights.

About a half million Buddha images in total.

These four figures look like they are being tortured.

Above (out of sight) are more conventional figures.

Ladies are not allowed to climb.

Laykyun Setkyar.

Perhaps now the tallest after the demolition of the Buddhas in Bamyan, Afghanistan.

But they do.

Yannick towed him.

A difficult tow, even with solid bar, for about 150km.

Repair organised in Mandalay. About one and a half days for clutch and brake linings (needed after tow). Cost about US$330.

Back to the drawing board.

Mandalay is on the Irrawaddy River. The central river of Myanmar.

One of those that flows from the eastern end of the Tibetan Plateau.

The Mekong is not far away now.

A quick phone call to our Myanmar guide for directions and us 5 stragglers set off.

That's Ben, on an Indian Royal Enfield, behind the police.

Had to chuckle at the inflatable advertising reminding us of home.

We didn't see many newsagents in India, though people were reading newspapers.

We've had a few visitors at the sports field. Apparently sparked by a Myanmar Facebook post.

The first entrance we tried was closed to foreigners so we set off walking round to the east gate.

Myanmar used to be the capital.

The area inside the walls is occupied mostly by military.

Mandalay Hill in the distance.

A good place for sunset apparently.

There's a religious area below.

King Mindon moved it to Mandalay. His son built the current monastery from the materials in 1878.

Apparently the only building left standing from the WWII destruction of the palace.

Originally heavily covered with gilt. 

Females not allowed in the area directly in front of the Buddha.

This is the only icon in the monastery.

With carvings.

We don't understand the symbology of one figure above another in all the carvings.

Famous for its representation of the Triptaka Canon, on 729 slabs.

Inside each of the stupas is a tablet with writings.

Just as well we couldn't read the script.

We'd have been here all day reading the world's largest book.

We begin to see western, and Chinese tourists.

The battery on the camera told us it was empty.

Lots of hammering.

Ladies not allowed in the front seats.

Nor people in shorts.

The camera allowed us a few last photos.

Then home. For a rest.

And would you believe "recharge the batteries".

With a bit of help from panadeine we are surviving well.

And the help of good restaurant food and the occasional Myanmar Beer - served in cold glasses with a small pad of ice in the base.