U Bein's bridge (part 1)

[mistress_elaine]

This is U Bein's bridge, near Amarapura, which itself is close to Mandalay, Burma's second-largest city. According to Lonely Planet, U Bein's bridge is the longest teak structure in the world. It's over two hundred years old and almost a mile long, and crosses a shallow lake in which the locals like to take their water buffalo out for a swim. It's

Comments

[oxrandyyxo]

You may have mentioned it previously, but how do you get to go on these crazy trips? Sounds fun :)

[mistress_elaine]

Simple. I love travelling, and frequently take long holidays to indulge in this passion. I got to indulge a fair bit during the two years I spent studying Chinese and teaching English in Taiwan. At the end of my second year in Taiwan, I went on a tour of South-East Asia comprising Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Burma. I had a grand old time. :-)

[muckefuck]

Of course, my first thought was I've heard of X-Beine and O-Beine, but U-Beine? How would that work, exactly? Ankles permanently over your shoulders?

[mistress_elaine]

Ha. Believe it or not, but I used to be able to do that. When I was eleven, I was so flexible I could put both of my ankles in my neck. And then one day I got stuck, and getting my legs out of my neck really, really hurt. I never did it again.

So, yeah, I temporarily had U-Beine. :-)

[shizunde]

*reads the comments*

oh, the only thing that is most interesting than your pictures is you.

fortunately there's not too many people visiting this bridge... i hope it's still there when i'll go there @__@

[mistress_elaine]

Heh. Where did you learn to flatter like that? Do they offer courses to foreigners there, as well? :-)

Actually, there were a lot of people on the bridge the day I was there, particularly around dusk, when I took the third photo -- locals going home for dinner, I suppose. As usual, I had to wait a long time for all the people to clear off. In retrospect, I wish I had taken a few pictures with people in them, too, but at the time, that seemed to me a waste of film. Oh, well.

I'm sure the bridge will still be there by the time you get around to visiting Burma and taking your own tree photos. :-)

[shizunde]

*grins*
well, if we ever get into a competition, i want you on my team.

[mistress_elaine]

:-)

[nancyy]

I particularly like the first one, but then I'm a fan of geometric shapes :p

[mistress_elaine]

I know what you mean. The first one is my favourite, as well, for exactly that reason. :-)

[nathsolnyshko]

I like a lot the first one :)

[mistress_elaine]

Thank you! The first one is my favourite, as well. :-)