Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Photo Essay: Sunset From A Forgotten Monastery

On our first day in Bagan, Myanmar, we spent a lot of time riding our bikes from temple to temple. We thought it was the best experience ever and didn’t think there was anything that could surpass it. But then we were talking to a shop keeper at one of the tourist stalls in front of Ananda Temple and he said that we should come back there at sunset. Well, why?, we asked. We’d already seen the temple in the daylight. Why would we want to come see it in the dark? That’s when he told us that we could get a wonderful view of the sunset from the top of the monastery just beyond the temple. and that it’s a popular tourist activity. We were floored. We had never even considered watching a sunset from one of the temples. But now, now we were determined that nothing was going to stop us from doing so.

Being able to watch a sunset from the top the ruins of an ancient monastery is an experience like none other. I’m kinda sad that nobody knows the name of the monastery (and that for some inexplicable reason I have no photos of it), but that didn’t detract from the experience at all. Kind of makes it seem a little mysterious.

We got to the temple earlier than the vendor recommended, which ended up being a good thing. There weren’t a ton of people there, but soon after we got there a few buses showed up. While we were waiting for the magic to start, we began talking with the people around us and listening to their stories. It was fun being able to joke with other travelers and hear about their interesting experiences. I really loved how happy and excited everyone was to be there.

While we waiting for the sun to go down, we were also taking pictures of the landscape. All those temples and everything around the monastery was just breathtaking.

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins
Htilo Minlo Temple
Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins
Dhammayangi Temple
Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins, Leimyenthna Monastery
Leimyenthna Monastery

Once the sun started going down, everyone glued themselves to their cameras.

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins
Ananda Temple and That Byi Nyu Temple
Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins
Ananda Temple and That Byi Nyu Temple

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Those of you who know me know that I try to get photos of myself and Troy at each of the places we visit. One of our new friends noticed we were setting up to take a selfie and kindly offered to take a photo of us. I think it turned out quite nicely.Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins, Troy Daniels, Erin Tracy

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins
Myoe Daung Monastery

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

Once the sunset was over and we made our way back to our bikes, we rode past a grouping of stupas. With the light fading behind them, it appears as though they are guardians of the land and protectors of the Bagan culture. Stay strong, mighty warriors. There’s still a long fight ahead.

Sunset, Bagan, Landscape, Myanmar, Temple, Stupa, Monastery, ancient, ruins

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