uponya's Homepage

uponya's Homepage http://search.zorpia.com/uponya Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:54 EDT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:54 EDT Zorpia.com Kyike Htee yoe satee(Pagoda) http://search.zorpia.com/uponya/journal/1768476 Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, also known as the Golden Rock Pagoda, is located on top of Kyaikhtiyo Hill at about 3,600 Feet ( 1,100 meters ) above sea level in Mon State. The distance from Yangon via Bago is approximately 130 miles ( 210 km ).The Location of Kyike Htee yoe is situated at Latitude 17 deg. 18 min North  and Longitude 97 deg.01 min. East. The Pagoda was built over a hair relic , more than 2,500 years ago , in the life time of Buddha. Legend has it that the hair relic was given to a hermit by Buddha himself. The hermit treasured the sacred hair in his hair knot until he found a boulder resembling his own head on which he could build a Pagoda to enshrine it. Although small in size ( The height of the Pagoda is 22'-8" or 6.9 meters , and that of the boulder on which the Pagoda was built is 22' or 6.7 meters ) it is one of the most revered and celebrated Pagodas in Myanmar. It could be qualified as one of the wonders of the world by virtue of the fact that it sits uniquely at the apex of a huge, almost egg shape granite boulder. This boulder ( now completely gilded ) is precariously perched on a projecting tabular rock. The gilded boulder and the rock table are two separate pieces, the boulder actually balancing off the extreme verge of the sloping surface of the rock and overhanging it by nearly half its length. The slope drops down perpendicularly into a valley below. On the other side the rock table is separated several feet from the rest of the hill by a deep chasm, now appended by a small bridge. By gently rocking the boulder a thread could be passed through between it and the rock table. When viewed from a certain angle, this separation can be appreciated by virtue of a thin beam of day light shining through. It is not known what freakish law has kept the boulder in its precarious position for many centuries and despite several violent earthquakes. Pilgrims used to trek 12 km up Mt Kyaikhtiyo from a base camp at Kinmon which consists largely of guesthouses, places to eat and souvenir shops. But in 1999 a paved mountain road linking the base camp and Ya-the-taung camp ( now bus station ) on the hill was built, thus leaving only 1.2 km hike to the Golden Rock. Most of the tourists coming to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda use network of many kilometers of foot trails to go other parts of the mountains where there are other smaller lately built temples and pagodas, and many good vintage locations for photographing. Now there are a couple of decent hotels on the mountains within 3 km distance of Kyaikhtiyo pagoda serving local as well as international tourists. Travel http://search.zorpia.com/uponya/journal/1768476 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:17 EDT the Hero of Kyauk Htatt gyee (near Kyike Htee Yoe) http://search.zorpia.com/uponya/journal/1767368 We,my friend ko kyaw htwe and his newly girl friend,my friend Ko Tun Aung Win and his wife and two year old son  went to Kyike Htee Yoe Say Tee on 11 th Jan.We left Yangon by Sein Win and his friends travel agency air bagged bus at 9 pm.Our meeting point in Yangon is Min Lann bus stop on U Chit Maung road Tarmwe.11:30 pm arrived BaGo.There, we got rest for 20 mins.That is the restaurant in road side compound ,at least 5,6 huge bus can stop there,like the services of road side in UK.For me, I am not very interesting to foods,thats nothing special but i thank for having chance to go toilet.Then we proceed our journey at 12 pm.I think  the bus driving too slow but I am please with that.Actually, the trip is only 4 hour trip but they take more than that  so we got there 2 o'clock in early morning.The Bus stop at one of the restaurants at foot of Kyike Htee Yoe  say tee.Theres we had to wait till morning light come.Some people rent rooms.Theres you have to use 10000kyats at least for rent room,but there free rooms available too.We dropped our bags at one of free rooms.We washed our face ,go toilets.Theres, we had to pay for the going toilet 50 kyat. About 4am in the morning,theres many people sitting on the light truck that will going up to hill.Motor track is 9 mile from foot of Kyike Htee yee to Ya Thee Hill.The trip between Kin Monn  to Ya thee is not very dangerous. Drivers are very skill to going up and they are very familiar to that.Only 2 turn near Ya Thee Hill stop is risky turn.We pay 2000 kyats each for riding in  cockpit .I could see how dangerous is that.Now I knew thats not very dangerous.Before that,I was very scared  riding like on roller coaster not see road .We went to hill on foot by Ya thee Hill.We got there 12 noon.We started on foot journey 9:30 am from Ya Thee Hill.Some people take only 0ne and half hour to get there.When we got there , there no room for us to stay.I like 40 feet ext.guest house,that very close to Say Tee.There we can use toilet and shower free of charges .Room usually charges 2500 / person. there,3 person room ,,up to 8 person room.Theres hotel and other nice guest house.They charges nearly 100 dollars when crowded  with pilgrims.We stayed one night  at one of restaurant  for 10000 kyats.Some time they don't charges for staying their restaurant.They urges to eat at their restaurant only ,especially if there are  afew  visitors.Next day we moved to 40 Ext.Guest House.I don't think it is suit for foreigners.The next day,we went to Kyauk Htat  Gyee.We left 11;30 we got there 2;30.we arrived back to Kyike Htee Yoe 6 Pm.Theres at Kyauk Htat  gyee ,one hero go to the Say Tee by on one long cane rodv like soldier goes on rope that connect to the 20 meter high .when he got there, he guild gold  to Say Tee,then he fly back on other cane rod that landing  45 degree .He fly only touching his belly and legs  but two hands keep like wings of plane ,look very amazing.We donated 5000 kyats for Say Tee.We gives 1000 each  for him, good job.On our return, we had our diner at roadside restaurant near Kyike Htee Yoe Say Tee by hunted meats.But we don't like much. On the next day,we moved to 40 Ext.guest house.There we could saved money for shower and toilet.aAt restaurant place ,we  have to go pay toilet and shower room.They charges  one bucket of hot water for 500 kyat  that may contains only 10 liters.100 kyat  for going toilet. A bottle of drinking water is 350 kyat there.Some takes 400 .Tea and coffee is normal price, not very expensive.We backed to Yangon on Monday 12;00.We arrives Yangon 6;30 pm .I was very happy  for that trip. <div align="left"></div> Travel http://search.zorpia.com/uponya/journal/1767368 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:09 EDT