Another early start this morning! We started our day with 4 trishaws which took us the 20minute journey to Mahamuni Paya. A trishaw for those who don't know is a cike with a double back to back seat attached to the side. It was really fun and a great way to see the area. The drivers were really chatty and I learnt my guys life story, it seems a lot of people have a really difficult time living in Myanmar.

Mahamuni Paya is one of mandalays most famous Buddist sites, Im sure all you guys at home have heard of it right?!! It is said to date back to 554BC and contains a 4m high Buddha which only men are allowed up close to. That just shows you how backwards the place is! We took a walk around the gardens and stalls and then to a spectacular looking paya with spires topped with gold. It was empty except for the resident monks who kindly gave us a tour. Inside the temple were 4 gold Buddhas, one of each side of the building. Unfortunately one side of the building had begun to collapse (dont panic it was not whilst we were in there!) and it had wooden planks and boards supporting and holding up the ceiling. Our trishaws then took us to Nepali Food restaurant for some thali then we went to Sandamani Paya.

Sandamani Paya is a run down golden stuoa which is surrounded by a huge collection of white washed stupas containing almost 1800 marble slabs. We met a lovely lady called Cherry who we stopped and chatted with. She got me to sign her book which was full of all the tourists she has met. She told us she was lonely and I felt really sorry for her ( I am such a soft touch) and told me to tell anyone who goes to Mandalay to look for her at this temple.

Next on our agenda was another Paya, Kyauktawgyi which is famous for its 900tonne Buddha built back in 1878. The story goes that 10,000 men spent 13days transfering the Buddha from the river to its current location. The boys then walked up Mandalay Hill which reaches 230m above the city. There were several shrines and stalls all the way up the stairs. Chelsea did the climb with a young local girl she met. It was hard work for us but easy for the girl as she climbs everyday! Once at the top we could see over the entire city.

Then we went to the night market where the boys joined in with some locals playing keepy-uppy with a handmade wicker ball. They attracted quite a crowd with their skills! The following morning we took a 9hour bus to Bagan.