My unforgettable travel story

My name is Pand Chandrakaeo.My nick name is Big-M .

I'm 23 years old.Country: THAILAND

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My unforgettable travel story

          I love traveling and searching for new experiences. It seems like everywhere I went to is uniquely different. Each place was meaningful and unforgettable. For example, sea travel made me see the beautiful fine sand of the beach lining besides the perfectly emerald green water. I had a great opportunity to go to Korea where I found nice people from Asia joining the same trip. We were also allowed to use the best airline. There were delicious food and spectacular places in Korea that an ordinary one like me had never seen before and will never forget. In the future, I hope that I would get such a great trip again.

            But the experience I'm writing is one of neighboring countries of Thailand, "Myanmar".
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Once upon a time in Mon. 
          I went to travel in the third biggest state of Myanmar, Mon state. For this state, Mawlamyine is the important capital. When I stepped on that land, I suddenly realized that Mawlamyine must have something special more than I had seen. From sightseeing, there are 5 impressive things I would like to share.

1. Geography

          Mawlamyine is the administrative and commercial capital of Mon state consisting of European-inspired architectural buildings. All the houses, religious places looked distinct from some other places I had visited. Mawlamyine people believe in various religions i.e. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. From the viewpoint of Kite tan lan pagoda, we could see the whole city including Thalwin Bridge, Moke ta ma, and Sittoung River. Especially the Sittoung river, it rises on the edge of the Shan Plateau and flows south 420 km. into the gulf of Martaban of the Andaman Sea. The powerful scene of the river made me think of Chao Phraya river in Bangkok, and also the Hun river in Korea. Moreover, standing beside Sittoung river in the evening is the best time for lovers to see the sun set. And it's normal for single ones to feel alone. The fresh air always makes us delighted and relieved.

2. People

          There are many ethnic residing in Mawlamyine comprised of Mon and Bamar and Kayin and several other ethnicities, but Bamar is majority. The special symbol representing Mawlamyine, and the whole Myanmar, is Thanaka. It is the yellow powder for applying on the face or using comb to form dashed line on their cheeks.Its properties must be so useful that everyone has been using it for a long time. I confess that I once tried it with satisfaction. All the people really impressed me with beautiful smiles and kindness. They enthusiastically treat tourists very well. Moreover; I was taught how to wear galoute, the Myanmar national costume.

3. Myanmar national costume

          The panung Myanmar men regularly wear is called "galoute mon",and "ganame mon" for woman. I once tried this costume with the shorts hiding inside because I was not sure if it would slip out. As the matter of fact, this costume style is called "Longyi" in other area of Myanmar, and galoute for only Mon state. The costume is comprised of various color. However, Mon people like to wear only bright-red color because it means the braveness. Mon's galoute also has the white central band different from the one without band of others. The costume plays an important role in every great opportunity all year. 

4. Food

          From my experience, sea food wasn't expensive as I thought. I ordered Thai food with the thought that the one served in Thailand must be more expensive about 3 times. When it comes to Myanmar food, I love Mow Sa because it is similar to Thai food called Kanom Jean. Mow Sa is the white noodle poured on top with curry. As the matter of fact, the ingredients of curry consist of banana trunk, eggs, flour, and vegetables, seasoned with chili, sugar and fish sauce. The second favorite menu of mine is boiled bamboo shoot with krajeab leaves. A little sour flavor makes the menu so tasty. Regularly in the morning, people have coffee or tea with deep-fried dough stick or bread. However on Buddhist holy day, all shops are always closed because people go to make merit at the temple

5. Temple

          One thing that impressed me when I was in Mawlamyine is visiting temple. All the temples there were very unique and outstanding. It's admirable that Myanmar people have been keeping their valuable historical heritages from generation to generation. I had a chance to donate for maintaining old temples. Because taking shoes before going inside the temples was requested, I took off my shoes keeping them in the car before I went inside. 

1. Win Sein Taw Ya

          This temple has the world's largest reclining Buddha Statue, towering 180 meters tall, and 400 feet long. More than 100 smaller Buddhist statue surround the entrance of the temple. In addition, hundreds of pilgrims came daily. On New Year's Day, visitors came for blessing from cities around the country. The cave inside the huge statue shows the Myanmar king's history, and also the karma pictures. The temple nowadays is building another large reclining Buddha statue, but the feet of the statue will lie down to the other side. 

2. Uzina pagoda

           I think Uzina was very amazing and outstanding. The bright golden color makes it so extraordinary. In the center of temple courtyard stood the temple bell. Near to the left was the square shrine topped with a stupa. Behide the bell I could see a wooden temple, ornatedly decorated eaves and gables and a tiered rooftook representing Burmese religious architecture. I took a walk around pagoda so I could see the view in the other side of Mawlamyiane. 

3. Oo khan te ma har myat mu ni pagoda 

          In the picture is Ma Har Myat Mu Ni . This temple was built during the british colonial time by the Oo khan te monk. Each pillar were different by being made of iron from Mandalay. 

4. Kite tan lan pagoda 

          Kite tan lan pagoda is the large temple on mountain top. In the past, pilgrims had to take thousands of steps to reach there, but at the present there are elevators servicing. On the top of temple, I could also see the view around Mawlamyine. Moreover, Inside the pagoda housed with the holy hair of Lord Buddha, and his holy teeth has also housed in the cage outside. In addition, The Kite tan lan is the name of a large reclining buddha statue of this temple.

          All the temples in Myanmar were so extraordinary for me, they looked new all the time even had been built for centuries. I'm impressed in strong faith for Buddhism of Myanmar people. 

          This trip brought me to find different atmosphere, new people, tasty food, and distinct costume. Everything made me so impressed that I will call it "My unforgettable trip"

               Finally, I hope that I would get a great opportunity to be participated in Asian on-air program 2013 which might make me make merit in Korea, sightsee wonderful tourist attractions, have tasty food, or even try wearing Han bok. If my dream comes true, I will never hesitate to convey my great experience to interested people.

Thank you ...