Day 2 in Mandalay and I woke up feeling a whole lot better. I went for breakfast and loaded up on toast and banana to get my stomach back into a better state. I thought I’d load up on white food and fruit to get the body back into balance. Yesterday I had virtually no energy, when I was walking back to the hotel in the afternoon I was almost dragging my feet but today I went out on the bike and almost cycled to the top of Mandalay Hill although I was beaten by the tight bends and to be honest the bike was not really that good. Now I know that you think that is an excuse but if I had been on my own bike I would have had enough gears to use to get me up the hill no problem, plus the fact this bike is too small. It’s seems a common theme here in Asia, the bikes are just that wee bit too small.

I stumbled across this small pagoda, which was more like a grotto, at the bottom of the hill and it seemed to be deserted which is just the way I like them. I walked round to the side of the building and there was an old guy there that ushered me to come into the building but only after I removed my shoes, but I could keep my socks on which I thought was cool. This small white building didn’t look like much from the outside but inside it was absolutely amazing. The decoration all over the columns and ceilings were great. Basically it was white but with the gold reliefs standing out making it look really beautiful.

The reclining Buddha was the highlight and the focus of this space and it was very tastefully done along with the music playing it was a place where you could lose yourself for hours and be at one with the universe. It was great that I was the only person here too. Most of the tourists pass right by it and head up to the Pagoda on the hill, I too was heading that way but when I reached the summit I decided to give it a miss. Too many people and I don’t think it would have been anywhere as impressive as the intimate space I had just visited about 30 minutes before.

I came across this place which holds many tablets with inscriptions of the teachings of Buddha.

On the way back I stopped at a western style place near the city moat and had tuna sandwiches and coffee, I’m still not feeling confident enough to eat the local food again and tonight it will be more fruit and bread me thinks. Last night I walked quite a few blocks and I came across about 3 places that looked safe to eat in. I normally eat food from the roadside stalls and have done this in many countries and I did in Rangoon but here in Mandalay they just don’t look clean.

Tomorrow it’s up bright and early so that I can catch the boat to Bagan…………………….