We were on the hotel terrace eating breakfast at 5am and were in a cab to a nearby Paya soon after. We actually missed sunrise so the early get up was a bit of a waste in the end! The view from our first stop Mingalazedi was amazing. We couldn't climb this one but a smaller building next to it had a tiny claustrophobic staircase up to a large viewing deck. The story of this temple is if it were ever finished Bagan would fall. 10 years afetr completion Mongols invaded and bagan fell. Probably the best part about Bagan is all the temples are close together which means its only a short walk and you can visit lots in one session. Our next stop was Gawdawpalin Pahto which is a 60m tall. Stairs to the top have long been closed so we explored inside and around the grounds. We also stopped at Pahtothamya and a few others.

We got talking to a local boy who became our guide for the rest of the day. he showed us the paths to take us to all the Payas and told us about his family and school. Along the way we bumped into some of his friends who tagged along with us. They led us to Bagans highest temple Thatbyinnyu Pahto which is 63m high but again the uppermost parts are off limits. We stopped for lucnh, an all you can eat traditional Myanmar style meal. Chelsea hated it of course and Brad thought it was the worst food of his travels so far! After our fab lunch us two and ryan took a horse and cart back to the hotel leaving Alex with the kids for company. We had an afternoon nap then went out again for sunset.

We choose Pyathada Paya which ws quite a way from town and down lots of dirt tracks and bumps! When we arrived it was swarming with people but as it has Bagans biggest viewing deck with another smaller one up top it didn't seem that crowded. We spotted Al straight away, at the very top surrounded by locals. The view was fantastic even though it was a little cloudy. Al gave the kids some money for their guidence and I gave the main boy a pound coin and some pennies for his collection which he was really happy about. Stopped at A little bit of Bagan for dinner then an early night.

Today started as a lazy day, we manged to get up at 8 for breakfast but soon went back to bed! The boys hired bikes and went to buy our bus tickets then went exploring again. They came back shortly after due to heat exhaustion! Late afternoon Brad and i went out on the bikes to find a different pagoda for sunset but instead came across Shwezigon Paya and decided to take a look in there instead. I was allowed up close to the Buddha to apply gold leaf this time. On our way out some local women tried selling us some bracelets and woodcarvings. Tey said thet would happily exchange for some of our things. One women was asking for the dirty sweaty tee off my back, another begging for my bra!! We gave them our yellow wristbands in exchange for 2 beautiful 'jade' bracelets.

The four of us rode our bikes to restaurant row and went to Aroma 2 for a tasty Indian dinner. Al had to return his bike there so that left us with 4 people and 3 bikes. Brad gave Al his bike and ran home! All the way for about 20mins straight after a curry! (Well done Brad!)