I took a day trip by bus from Mandalay to Monywa to look around, especially for the huge reclining Buddha. Around it were English signs announcing it was the 2nd or 3rd largest Buddha in the country. I saw signs saying 3rd largest all over the country. A few years after my visit they built a huge standing Buddha. Walking along the Chindwin river north of Monjwa I noticed adult women bathing in the river, washing their hair, wrap around still on. The ladies were full figured and beautiful; generally women’s hair in Myanmar was by far the fullest, most beautiful of all countries going north, east and west from Singapore. Someone should find out what lotion they use; it must come from a plant in the forest, they can’t afford such stuff in the stores. Some drug stores were loaded with skin whitening products from Thailand. I never saw a local ‘whitey’.
I remember how hard it was hitching back from the Buddha complex (I got their by bus). Practically no traffic, and nobody stopped until a police car came up; I was quite frightened by their presence but I thanked them, got in, and had an uneventful trip into town.
i hung out with three guys in a Monywa bar across from my hotel. They bought all the drinks. I was older than them (56/7 at the time). When the most dedicated drinker went to the bathroom the others told me the doctors had told him he must stop drinking, he would die within the year if he didn’t stop. He owned the hotel across the street, nice place, but hit the bar every day.
Easy bus back to Mandalay.
Learn at least one Myanmar phrase before going, mingalaba (sp?). It means hello or good day and it is really appreciated. A door opener.