Mandalay, Myanmar

 Are you interested in following the eruptions of Mt. Sinabung in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia where Jiro and I were on December 30th? Here's a link with fantastic photos.
http://m.theatlantic.com/infocus/2014/01/the-continued-eruptions-of-mount-sinabung/100660/

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar with a population of a little over a million people. The western part of the city borders the Ayeyarwady River.

Mandalay Palace surrounded by a very large moat.

Fitness equipment with a moat view.

Many people use this equipment, depending on the time of day. Best time to use? Morning or evening.

There is a bustling vegetable market here in the mornings.

This was a long line of about 35 monks, winding their way through the market collecting food offerings.

 Betel nut chewing anyone? Here's a link for more information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betel

Tofu anyone?

Riverbank at West Mandalay

Fabric rolls?

Some kind of ceremony at Mahamuni Image.

Carving marble from nearby quarries.

Friendly little snake on marble carver's hands.

U Bein's Bridge at Amarapura

Wedding photos on the bridge. Wow!

Foreigners pay a price in Myanmar for a lot of things. This is on Mandalay Hill.

The semi-circular structure is a prison in Mandalay, viewed from Mandalay Hill.  On January 1, 2014, the government released many, but not all political prisoners, as promised. 

Japanese tourists at Mandalay Hill with Shutdown Bangkok support souvenirs.