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364--Myanmar: Golden Palaces and Dark Caves @ CherieSpotting     Jul 26 2006 - 10:13 PST Cherie writes: In the mountains near Mandalay rests a town called Pyin Oo Lwin. A short drive from the city is a cave called Peik Chin Myaung or Maha Nadamu Cave. Pilgrims and local villagers come to the caves to bottle up the healing water and take it home to their elders. The medicinal water is filtered through the holy ground which means it is believed to heal almost any ailment. Inside the cave, there are hundreds of Buddhas that are enshrined by stalactites and stalagmites. Out of respect, visitors remove their shoes before entering the cave. The rushing streams tickle your bare feet as you walk through the cave and admire the Buddhas that are tucked into almost every crack and crevasse. The last sovereign King of Myanmar, King Mindon, made Mandalay the capital city of his country and built what is now known as Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace. Constructed of teak on brick, much of the palace is covered in a thin skin of gold. Former home to King Thibaw and Chief Queen Supayalatt, the palace was destroyed by fire in WWII. The government finished reconstruction in 1995, and the buildings are now open to the public. Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 4862    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   We became a part of history dressed in traditional clothing at the Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace, near Mandalay, Myanmar. Jean and Cherie, all dressed up and no masses to dominate. Jean shows off the historic Burmese shoe fashions. Commander Cherie armed with a sword. *Photo by Jean. Don't mess with Aunt Lynda. *Photo by Jean. The female prevails! *Photo by Jean. Fighting never solves anything. *Photo by Jean. Cherie and Lynda at the Golden Palace. *Photo by Jean. It sure seems like a lot of clothes to wear in a tropical climate. *Photo by Jean. A sword always makes a perfect gift. *Photo by Jean. Off with your costumed head! *Photo by Jean. Perhaps Cherie was a commander in a former life, as she often enjoys ordering people around. *Photo by Jean. Simple green. *Photo by Jean. Jean fans the king. The bell-ringer. Jean listens to the history; Cherie photographs the present. Pure white temples. The Chief Queen of Thibaw. Our own personal king. Our gang looks pretty good, eh? Aunt Lynda. The courtyard at the Golden Palace. Can I be someone in a former life who wears a more comfortable hat, please? Cherie and Jean. Monks rest near a waterfall. Are you sure this is the "official bridge"? You either need faith or balance. Jean braves the journey. No fear, no fall. A waterfall. Aunt Lynda. Cherie near the water. *Photo by Jean. Cooling off or washing off. Ever have someone photograph your bath? Cherie at the entrance to Peik Chin Myaung Cave. *Photo by Jean. Jean lets the cool water refresh her. Pilgrims and local villagers come to the caves to bottle up the healing water and take it home to their elders. Aunt Lynda. Buddha kicking back in a cave. Jean near the Buddha statues. Fake trees inside a real cave. The Buddha and the breadfruit. Out of respect for fellow Buddhists, visitors remove their shoes before entering the cave. The rushing streams tickle your bare feet as you walk through the cave and admire the Buddhas that are tucked into almost every crack. Cherie sets up a shot. *Photo by Jean. This Buddha needs a tan, he's a bit pale. *Photo by Jean. Praise for the elephant. *Photo by Jean. Inside the cave, there are hundreds of Buddhas that are enshrined by stalactites and stalagmites. At each bend of the cave there is a new shrine to the Buddha. Cherie in the Peik Chin Myaung or Maha Nadamu Cave. (Why have two long names for one cave?) *Photo by Jean Leitner. The Buddha. * Photo by Jean Leitner. Peaceful view. Jean and Lynda. The dragon.