A Holiday in Mandalay
Going somewhere for a holiday is almost always an enjoyable experience. Some go on a holiday
just for rest and relaxation; some for reasons of health; some for the excitement of meeting
new people, seeing new things, gaining new knowledge, etc. As for me, a holiday is always
sightseeing.
Last December, I went for a holiday in Mandalay. I went with my
family. We went by train. We left in the morning and arrived in
Mandalay quite late in the evening. The train journey was most
pleasant. The green fields we passed through and the mountain
ranges we saw at a distance were scenic indeed. The fellow
travellers in our carriage were friendly and considerate.
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In Mandalay, we stayed at a hotel in the city centre. The
rooms were comfortable, food delicious, and service good.
The following morning, we went by taxi to the Mandalay Hill.
The view from the top of the hill was simply breathtaking!
The hilltop presented us with a panoramic view of the city of
Mandalay as well as the distant mountain ranges of Sagaing
and Shan State. And of course, we could quite clearly see
the old palace with its walls and moat, the Ayeyarwady River
and the Yankin Hill as well. Never had I seen Mandalay and
its surroundings like before.
In the afternoon, we went on a short boat ride on the Ayeyarwady. On our way
back to the hotel, we dropped in at a few shops and I bought a couple of T-shirts
and several handicrafts as souvenirs for my friends. Nothing much of value;
but they were pretty expensive. We spent the entire Sunday morning visiting
a few temples and monasteries. In the afternoon, we visited the Mandalay
palace, a historic site. It is impressive indeed. Then we went to the famous
U Bein Bridge, where we had a chance to watch a beautiful sunset. The following
family and I took the train home. I was glad I found Mandalay as
morning,
a true city of Myanmar history, art and culture. An unforgettable holiday indeed.
