Day 25 - Day Trip to Akauk Taung

A quick buffet breakfast and into the van for a 2 hour trip down the Ayeyarwady, to Akauk Taung, where we boarded a boat...




for a short trip downstream - gotta love Mona's sun-proofing...



to the Buddha images carved into the cliffs overlooking the river.





The LP says the name Akauk Taung means "tax mountain" and that the carvings were done by bored tax collectors. On the other hand, Scott said the first one was done as veneration by a couple seeking protection from the whirlpools in the river, and that many others followed suit, also seeking the Buddha's help. I'm going with option # 2.

We climbed up the last cliff to a pagoda and monastery complex, passing carvings, and bamboo sticks that were stuck in the cliff face under the banyan trees (to support them) and in return to receive good health.




The woman in pink is Scott's girlfriend, Cho, who is in training as a guide and came along to help Dana and me.

A reclining Buddha was inserted in what looked like a somewhat uncomfortable position.



The view from the top was quite nice...



and there was a Burmese Python exploring one of the statues (put their by its owner, who later used it in an incomprehensible magic act). Some guy jerked (right word) its tail toward Dana - it's her scream on the clip.



The monastery has a tradition of serving free vegetarian meals to pilgrims, and so we indulged.



The food was excellent, and we also had some free tea and wafers, in an abbot's presence, thereby guilt-tripping me into a $5 donation.



On the way back to Pyay we happened upon a cremation - needs no comment.




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