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Burma's holiest shrine, the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for over 2600 years, and is located on Singuttara Hill in Yangon, Myanmar.
A busy intersection near the Sule Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.
The Lokanat Gallery Building, was formerly known as the Sofaer's Buildings for the architect Isaac A Sofaer. Sofaer was a Baghdadi Jew who came to Burma as a young boy. The building was originally one of the top business addresses in all of Rangoon. The building was originally constructed around 1905. The Lokanat Gallery was established in 1971 and showcased contemporary art in Burma. Pictured here is the interior of one man's apartment. He is presumably a squatter.
Burma's holiest shrine, the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for over 2600 years, and is located on Singuttara Hill in Yangon, Myanmar.
A portrait of author and historian Thant Myint-U at his grandfather's former home in Yangon, Myanmar. Thant Myint-U was born in New York City to Burmese parents and is the grandson of former UN Secretary-General U Thant. He currently lives in Bangkok.
Buildings on the streets of Yangon, Myanmar.
The Pegu Club was constructed in 1882 and was the most exclusive British Club in all of Burma. Founded in 1871 the club was initially located in a different location, before this teak building was constructed a decade later. The club was men only, strictly white, and boasted 350 members at its peak. It was often referred to as the real seat of power for the Burmese Government. The Pegu Club Cocktail can also traces its gin and lime heritage to this particular colonial outpost.
The former Burma Railways Company building was constructed in 1877 and is located at the corner of Sule Pagoda Road and Bogyoke Aung San Road. It was initially state-run and then subsequently leased to the country's private railway system in 1896.
A portrait of Burmese artist Nay Myo Say at the Secretariat Building in Yangon, Myanmar. Nay Myo Say has been charged with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the historic Secretariat Building.
The Secretariat, the former seat of the British government in Burma, was constructed during 1889-1905. The architect was Henry Hoyne-Fox and the contractor was Baboo Naitram Rambux. On July 19 1947, six months in advance of Myanmar's independence from Britain, 32-year old General, and founder of the Burmese Army, Aung San and six of his colleagues were assassinated. They became martyrs, and today Martyr's Day (Azani Ney) is commemorated on the anniversary of their deaths. Aung San was also the father of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was only two years old when her father died. She is currently a member of the opposition and spent 15 years under house arrest. Pictured here is the interior of one of the main atriums.
The Secretariat, the former seat of the British government in Burma, was constructed during 1889-1905. The architect was Henry Hoyne-Fox and the contractor was Baboo Naitram Rambux. On July 19 1947, six months in advance of Myanmar's independence from Britain, 32-year old General, and founder of the Burmese Army, Aung San and six of his colleagues were assassinated. They became martyrs, and today Martyr's Day (Azani Ney) is commemorated on the anniversary of their deaths. Aung San was also the father of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was only two years old when her father died. She is currently a member of the opposition and spent 15 years under house arrest. Pictured here is the shrine to General Aung San.
The Yangon River as seen from an apartment block in Yangon, Myanmar.
A giant almond tree on 50th Street.
The site of the future Shangri-la Hotel, under construction, in Yangon, Myanmar.
The Shwesandaw Paya (Pagoda) in Bagan, Myanmar is one of the most popular pagodas from which to watch the sun set. The enterprising traveler will instead venture up the pagoda at sunrise and thus miss all of the late afternoon crowds and bus traffic. Here tourists swarm up the pagoda on the westward facing side to catch the dying rays of the day.
The Shwesandaw Paya (Pagoda) in Bagan, Myanmar is one of the most popular pagodas from which to watch the sun set. The enterprising traveler will instead venture up the pagoda at sunrise and thus miss all of the late afternoon crowds and bus traffic. Here tourists swarm up the pagoda on the westward facing side to catch the dying rays of the day.
Dhammayazika Paya (Pagoda) Bagan.
The Bagan Railway Station in Myanmar.
The Shwesandaw Paya (Pagoda) in Bagan, Myanmar is one of the most popular pagodas from which to watch the sun set. The enterprising traveler will instead venture up the pagoda at sunrise and thus miss all of the late afternoon crowds and bus traffic.
Ananda Pahto (Temple) in Bagan, Myanmar. The temple is a Buddhist temple built in 1105 AD during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084–1113) and is currently being restored by through a $2 million dollar grant from the Indian Government. The restoration work is being headed by Dr Narendra Samadhiya. Here Dr Samadhiya is pictured in front of some of the paintings which are being restored by he and his team.
The Alotawthyit Pagoda, in Bagan, Myanmar.
Children walk home from school in Bagan, Myanmar.
Road sign for Old and New Bagan.
Bamboo Sellers Bagan.
Palm Oil Plantation Bagan
Palm Oil Plantation Bagan
A young woman with her childs begs for money from tourists in Bagan, Myanmar.
A young road worker takes a break from the dusty work in Bagan, Myanmar.
A young road worker takes a break from the dusty work in Bagan, Myanmar.
The area immediately surrounding the Shwesandaw Paya (Pagoda) in Bagan, Myanmar.
The Bagan Railway Station in Myanmar.
The Bagan Railway Station in Myanmar.
Heho Market near Inle Lake, in Shan State, Myanmar. The market is held once every five days and rotates throughout the region.
Heho Market near Inle Lake, in Shan State, Myanmar. The market is held once every five days and rotates throughout the region.
Heho Market near Inle Lake, in Shan State, Myanmar. The market is held once every five days and rotates throughout the region.
Bamboo Sellers Bagan.
Heho Market near Inle Lake, in Shan State, Myanmar. The market is held once every five days and rotates throughout the region.
Arriving at the Inle Princess Resort, located on Inle Lake, Myanmar.
The Aureum Resort and Spa on Inle Lake, Myanmar.
The reception at the Inle Princess Resort, located on Inle Lake, Myanmar.
The spa at the Aureum Resort and Spa on Inle Lake, Myanmar.
The Phaung Daw Oo Festival is held every October on Inle Lake. During the festival four gold figurines of Lord Buddha are transported clockwise around the lake over a period of several days, stopping off at various temples and monasteries along the way. There are a total of five golden Buddha statues, that all date from the 12th Century and throughout the year are housed at their 'resident' temple, The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, from which the festival draws its name. One of the five Buddha's always stays at the home temple during the procession - some say to guard the Pagoda, and others say because this particular Buddha has a bad omen associated with it, dating back to the 1965 procession. During that procession the Royal Barge whch transports the Buddha statues capsized and all of the figurines sank to the bottom. Only four were initially recovered, while the fifth one was feared lost, until it miraculously appeared back in the temple one day. The following year when the statue was loaded on to the barge a huge series of clouds appeared, so that was taken as a sign that that particular Buddha should remain and not join the procession. The Royal Barge is itself in the shape of the Royal Bird - picture a giant chicken - and is towed around the lake by dozens of smaller long-boats where Intha men practice their unique one-legged rowing style.
Fishermen on Inle Lake, Myanmar.
The Phaung Daw Oo Festival is held every October on Inle Lake. During the festival four gold figurines of Lord Buddha are transported clockwise around the lake over a period of several days, stopping off at various temples and monasteries along the way. There are a total of five golden Buddha statues, that all date from the 12th Century and throughout the year are housed at their 'resident' temple, The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, from which the festival draws its name. One of the five Buddha's always stays at the home temple during the procession - some say to guard the Pagoda, and others say because this particular Buddha has a bad omen associated with it, dating back to the 1965 procession. During that procession the Royal Barge whch transports the Buddha statues capsized and all of the figurines sank to the bottom. Only four were initially recovered, while the fifth one was feared lost, until it miraculously appeared back in the temple one day. The following year when the statue was loaded on to the barge a huge series of clouds appeared, so that was taken as a sign that that particular Buddha should remain and not join the procession. The Royal Barge is itself in the shape of the Royal Bird - picture a giant chicken - and is towed around the lake by dozens of smaller long-boats where Intha men practice their unique one-legged rowing style.
Pictured here is the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda.

The Phaung Daw Oo Festival is held every October on Inle Lake. During the festival four gold figurines of Lord Buddha are transported clockwise around the lake over a period of several days, stopping off at various temples and monasteries along the way. There are a total of five golden Buddha statues, that all date from the 12th Century and throughout the year are housed at their 'resident' temple, The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, from which the festival draws its name. One of the five Buddha's always stays at the home temple during the procession - some say to guard the Pagoda, and others say because this particular Buddha has a bad omen associated with it, dating back to the 1965 procession. During that procession the Royal Barge whch transports the Buddha statues capsized and all of the figurines sank to the bottom. Only four were initially recovered, while the fifth one was feared lost, until it miraculously appeared back in the temple one day. The following year when the statue was loaded on to the barge a huge series of clouds appeared, so that was taken as a sign that that particular Buddha should remain and not join the procession. The Royal Barge is itself in the shape of the Royal Bird - picture a giant chicken - and is towed around the lake by dozens of smaller long-boats where Intha men practice their unique one-legged rowing style.

Because adherents have affixed so much gold leaf to the Buddha statue over the centuries it has become more of an amorphous blob versus a recognizable figurine.
Aung Min Ga Lar Pagoda, located near Ywama Village, on Inle Lake, Myanmar.
The Phaung Daw Oo Festival is held every October on Inle Lake. During the festival four gold figurines of Lord Buddha are transported clockwise around the lake over a period of several days, stopping off at various temples and monasteries along the way. There are a total of five golden Buddha statues, that all date from the 12th Century and throughout the year are housed at their 'resident' temple, The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, from which the festival draws its name. One of the five Buddha's always stays at the home temple during the procession - some say to guard the Pagoda, and others say because this particular Buddha has a bad omen associated with it, dating back to the 1965 procession. During that procession the Royal Barge whch transports the Buddha statues capsized and all of the figurines sank to the bottom. Only four were initially recovered, while the fifth one was feared lost, until it miraculously appeared back in the temple one day. The following year when the statue was loaded on to the barge a huge series of clouds appeared, so that was taken as a sign that that particular Buddha should remain and not join the procession. The Royal Barge is itself in the shape of the Royal Bird - picture a giant chicken - and is towed around the lake by dozens of smaller long-boats where Intha men practice their unique one-legged rowing style. Pictured here is the Magyi Sake Monastery.
Napo, a 13 year old boy poses for a portrait at a cheroot cigar factory on Inle Lake. Many of the cigars have anise, in addition to tobacco mixed in.
The Zayat Kyi Monastery on Inle Lake.
Tanshwe, an 18-year old Padaung woman in Ywama Village. Ywama Village is a 'floating' village on the Western side of Lake Inle. Every five days it plays host to the regional market. The Padaung are a minority group whose members are both in Shan State in Myanmar, as well as in Northern Thailand. In Northern Thailand members of the group refer to themselves as Kayan Lahwi, as opposed to the Shan term Padaung. The group is a branch of the Red Karen Tibeto-Burmese ethnicity.
Munaung, a 69-year old Padaung woman in Ywama Village. Ywama Village is a 'floating' village on the Western side of Lake Inle. Every five days it plays host to the regional market. The Padaung are a minority group whose members are both in Shan State in Myanmar, as well as in Northern Thailand. In Northern Thailand members of the group refer to themselves as Kayan Lahwi, as opposed to the Shan term Padaung. The group is a branch of the Red Karen Tibeto-Burmese ethnicity.
At a cheroot cigar factory on Inle Lake. Many of the cigars have anise, in addition to tobacco mixed in.
At a cheroot cigar factory on Inle Lake. Many of the cigars have anise, in addition to tobacco mixed in.
An older Shan man smokes a cigar at the Zayat Kyi Monastery on Inle Lake.
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