Today we booked a car to take us around some of the sights so were collected at 08.30. Didn't have any ill effects from the interesting food so all was well. The driver arrived on time and we agreed on where we should go although all we could really do was to go by his recommendation which as it happened was good. Today was a festival for the full moon so everywhere was packed and music was blaring out as children stopped cars by holding sticks across the road hen let you go once the driver had parted with some money.

First we went to Mahamuni Buddha Temple where you could learn about the craft works that Mandalay is famous for by visiting the workshops and cottage industries. You could see gold-leaf techniques, wood carving and kalaga tapestry weaving. You could also spend your day posing for photographs with the locals who seemed to find us intriguing. We have never been in so many selfies!

Next we went to the Mahar Gandar Yone monastery, where you can see a twelve hundred Buddhist monks and novices line up every morning at 10:30am, to receive their meal of the day. It must be daunting having so many people stare and take photos whilst you are going about your daily ritual.

Next we went to a village where you could catch a makeshift ferry to an island but first we had a drink in a little shack and Lesley used the loo, one was about to fall over so she opted for the other as she felt it might not have been very dignified if it had toppled while she was using it. To be honest I wouldn't have gone but apparently if you have to go then you have to go. We then caught the ferry to the island having been instructed by our driver that you can take a horse and cart to see the sights but they should only charge 10000 for a two hour trip as laid down by the government but some charged more. We arrived and were approached by one of the many cart drivers who confirmed that it was 10000 so we jumped in and bounced off up the road. After about a mile he asked what the time was as we would take one hour but if we wanted to see sights that would take two hours and cost 20000. We tried to argue the point but then decided we were better off just spending an hour bouncing around in the back of the cart. When we arrived back at the shack the driver asked if we wanted to eat, we asked if this was the best place and if there was anywhere with western toilets which he looked surprised at as he said "yes here" pointing down to the pair of century boxes. For some reason we agreed and went in to eat but being a bit wiser we played safe and I ordered a chicken curry and Lesley ordered fried chicken noodles. As you get older you learn that you could always be wiser!
My chicken curry consisted of a bowl of chicken soup, a bowl with three pieces of chicken that wouldn't make my stock pot, a bowl of rice which is becoming the only thing that I get to eat and five bowls of various ingredients that I chose to avoid. Lesley's was fine apart from no chicken except for a chicken soup on the side without the meat.

Next we went up sagaing hill to see a far reaching view over Mandalay one side and the Irwaddy river the other plus two temples on the way up. To be honest every temple seems the same and having covered a few countries that are temple dominant it's pretty overpowering with the amount that are out here. The other thing that gets me is you have to take your shoes and socks off entering temples but then you mustn't point your feet at Buddha as its disrespectful, if so why not keep your shoes on so he doesn't see them.

We were now running a bit behind time as we had to get down to U Bein teak bridge, the world's longest teak structure at 1.2 km long for sunset. After a bit of nifty driving we parked in the grounds of the Mahar Gandar Yone monastery and made our way to a jetty passing Monks sat outside the walls at stalls most probably spending there donations from the day which would explain the solemn faces of the ones that were given sweets. Once down at the jetty we parted with 15000 to be rowed out to see the sunset through the wood structure of this bridge. In all fairness it is very unique and we really appreciate the fact that we get to do these things.