My theme this year is Burma AKA Myanmar. I used to live in Laos, so this was a return to Southeast Asia that I looked forward to. I spent a little over three weeks exploring this country, learning a bit about its culture: its history, religion, and language. I thought others might enjoy some of what I learned and see some of what I saw.
The poem Mandalay was written by Rudyard Kipling in 1890. The road he refers to in one line was really the Irrawaddy River. It hummed with trade from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Burma and India. In WWII the government sank many of the old British cargo ships that still were on the river to keep them out of the hands of the Japanese. Now Burma’s bringing those ship up from the river bottom and restoring them.
Leaving Mandalay |
The Muddy Irrawaddy |
Arriving at Mingun |
Answers to H: What do you know about the horse carriages of Burma?
F 1. Hackney Carriages have been subject to government licensing at least as far back as 1950. (I found laws regulating them as far back as 1812, under what was titled The Burma Code.)
F 2. Hackney-carriage means small vehicle in Burma. (Hackney refers to the type of light-stepping horse used to draw the carriage.)
NOW what do you know about the Irrawaddy River?
T/F 1. The Irrawaddy is the largest river in the world.
T/F 2. The river has been used as a main trade route since the sixth century.
Answers tomorrow.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – I love the name Irrawaddy .. and Kipling wrote some amazing poems. I sincerely hope they do restore some of those special river boats …
The Irrawaddy is not the longest river … but I'm sure it's been a main trade route for centuries and centuries … the only way to travel sometimes ..
Cheers – fascinating to see these … Hilary
Clarabelle Rant says
While I was reading your post I assumed you were going to say they were pulling them up to scrap them, but it's a much larger undertaking to restore them. They must have some important plans for them!
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Nick Wilford says
I'm sure the ships will have a lot of interesting artefacts to find. Isn't the Nile the longest/largest river? Sure 2 is true though.
Tammy Theriault says
The ships look like they would just cause quite the traffic near the docks!
Lexa Cain says
That is one really long river. It's kinda brown though and I don't think it's as long as the Nile, so I'll keep mine. I love the name "Mandalay." There's something very musical and romantic about it. You have a bunch of commenters. I don't know how A-Zers do it. I can barely handle visiting everyone on Celebrate the Small Things once a week. 😛
JoeyfullyStated says
Really lovely photos and interesting tidbits 🙂
Visiting for the A-Z Challenge — so rare to find a blogger who's actually participating! *delighted*
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Pat Hatt says
That must take a lot of work to get the ships up and restore them.
J.L. Campbell says
Didn't know those factoids about the rive and those are lovely pictures.
Heather R. Holden says
They're restoring the ships? Wow, how cool!
Birgit says
Well, I am consistent! I am getting all these wrong but I am learning:) In typical fashion I might be getting a D…probably an F:) Love the pictures-it looks so romantic like from a movie. Bringing these ships up is cool but must cost a fair bit. Now I will say False to the first question and true to the second:)
klahanie says
Hey Lee!
I, I, I, what's been happening? You wouldn't be doing that alphabet challenge? Next thing you know, a bunch of alphabet crazy bloggers will be saying how relieved they are to be getting close to the halfway point. Note the irony.
You used to live in Laos. Nice one. I reckon you had to leave because your starstruck fans just wouldn't give you a moment's peace.
Great post. Great river. Thanks for sharing. Following!
"I" is for "Irritable Blog Syndrome!"
Although my absence might have been noted, rest assured, I'm still your starstuckest fan!
Gary, whoever he is….
Catherine Stine says
Love the photos. That is one muddy river.
DMS says
Great pictures! That is a muddy river! 🙂
~Jess
Jennifer Hawes says
Gorgeous pics! Yeah, even the muddy river looks inviting.
DEZMOND says
I've always preferred Menam 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
We're almost through week 2! We all deserve a pat on the back. Thanks for keeping up with my posts. I appreciate all of your comments and all of your visits!
Patricia Lynne says
Those are beautiful pictures.
TheCyborgMom says
I really enjoy looking at your pictures! Even the muddy river picture looks inviting!
TheCyborgMom
A Tarkabarka Hölgy says
I can imagine the rich trade and exchange that went on along the river… And beautiful pictures!
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
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Kristen Brockmeyer says
Gorgeous photos!
Jeffrey Beesler says
That river definitely played an important role in WWII. And now the ships are being restored? That's great!
Stephen Tremp says
I like anything when it comes to restoring old stuff.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
First time I got them both right. I don't think it's the largest river but I think the second one is true.
J.H. Moncrieff says
That's a really cool idea! I'd love to see the ships as they're being restored.
Have a great weekend!
Karen Mortensen says
This was a good post. Restoring those old ships must be awesome. Wish I could see some.
Julie Flanders says
How fascinating that they are bringing the ships up. I always find that so cool!
I can't even begin to guess how to pronounce this I word LOL.
Bish Denham says
By largest river, do you mean widest? Or the most water discharged? Or the longest? I think it's wonderful that the British ships are being restored.
Chrys Fey says
I think it's neat that they are bringing those ship back up and restoring them.
Natasha Duncan-Drake says
That middle picture looking out over the water is amazing. It almost looks like sandbanks.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Sarah Foster says
That's very cool that they're restoring the ships.
nashvillecats2 says
Awesome pictures and interesting to read. Very enjoyable.
Yvonne.
Dani says
So cool about the ships. Your pictures always tell such a great story on their own
Yvonne Ventresca says
Interesting — your posts are very unique this year, Lee!
Yvonne
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Restoring the sunken ships – that's cool.