Kyaukpadaung Local Custom Tips by herzog63

Monks enjoying the view!

There were quite a few of Monks enjoying the afternoon when we were there at Mt Popa. Many of the them seemed like tourists themselves as they carried cameras with them. At first I thought they lived there at the Monastery.

Mama sharing with her baby

This Mama seemed to be sharing with her baby. I don't know a whole lot about monkeys but after the baby had a little snack the mother ran off to forage more food and just left the baby to play by itself.

Someone looks tired!

This guy just happened to be yawning as I was taking the photo! He is starting to walk back down the mountain.

Families at the top

At the main Stupa you will see many pilgrims praying. Some of the chants were so beautiful to just listen to. They seemed to be chants or songs I couldn't really tell that lasted about 15-20 minutes. I wish I would have had some sound recording device!

Families having fun

Quite a few families were enjoying the day on Mt Popa. They enjoyed ringing the bell, making offerings at the shrines and the views out over the plains. And taking plenty of pictures just like me!

Mt Popa Monks

There are alot of Monks as well as other pilgrims making their way to the top. Many of the Monks must've been from places far-a-way as they carried cameras and took lots of pictures of each other.

Buddhist Nun

The Buddhist Nuns had Pink tops and red bottoms with a chaffron shoulder cover. It made for a nice combination. Myanmar is the only place where I had seen this color combination.

Grab some food on the way to the top!

There were a couple of the food vendors that seemed more popular than others. These ladies had lot's of people when I passed it on the way up and on the way down so maybe she had some specialties?? The food looked great!

Flowers for an offering

If you want to have flowers for an offering at the various Temples on the way up the hill you won't have any problems finding any. There are loads of ladies at the bottom selling the proper flowers that you will need to make your offerings to the Nats on the hill. They ladies didn't try very hard to sell any to me and my son but they sure pestered the Burmese Pilgrims that were starting their ascent to the top!

Cows too!

There are plenty of cows hanging around in the village at the bottom of the complex too! They seem to be waiting for handouts of bananas from the pilgrims. They also eat anything that they can lick up from the ground too. Plastic bags, newspaper etc...