Manuha Phaya…Bagan–

This temple was built by a guy called King Manuha to honor his time as a prisoner of war.  Manuha wanted to convey a sense of confinement with this structure. . .soooo, he had his people construct a Buddha as large as possible, and then he had a building constructed around the Buddha that is only just big enough to enclose the Buddha. . .very confined-feeling, yes?  Yes.  Wonderful to leave this inside of this structure and run into a sweet postcard peddler. . .unfortunately, she did not convince me to buy any postcards. . .what a tight wad I am. . .maybe next time, darlin’.

I send you constricting vibes from Manuha Phaya here in Bagan. . .feel them. . .they can remind you how lucky you are to be free.

It’s lovely out there.

Bupaya Pagoda…Bagan–

  BAM!  Here we are hangin’ out at quite possibly the oldest pagoda in Bagan–Bupaya.  This baby was built in the third century c.e. by a dude called King Pyusawhti–the third king of Bagan.  “Bu” means pumpkin or gourd, and “paya” means pagoda in Burmese. . .so the name simply reflects the gourd-like shape of this dramatic pagoda.  The original pagoda was destroyed in an earthquake back in 1975, and it was rebuilt in a shape that somewhat resembles the original–though this one is built with modern materials and construction design to help it resist future quakes.

Bupaya sits on the bank of the mighty Irrawaddy River making it a refreshing place to visit and pay respects to the Buddha, one’s ancestors, fellow visitors in yellow, etc.  I love hanging out at the Bupaya Pagoda, and you will too if you ever find yourself wandering around the right bank of the Irrawaddy lookin’ for somethin’ to do.

I send you shimmering ancient vibes from Bupaya. . .feel them. . .they will still be here long after we are gone.

It’s lovely out there.

Thatbyinnyu Phaya…Bagan–

Here we have the tallest temple in all of Bagan–Thatbyinnyu Phaya which stands about two hundred and one feet tall at its tippy top.  Built in the middle of the twelfth century by a guy called King Alaungsithu, this baby is magnificent. . .mmmm, aaaaahh!  I am honored to have the opportunity to walk around this structure, stroll through the inner halls, and feel the ancient vibes of millions of Burmese who have paid their respects to the Buddha here.  Plus, notice that there is no one else around. . .Bagan is just sitting here waiting for you to visit. . .get here before the crowds of gringos overrun this place.

I send you warm and serene vibes from Thatbyinnyu Phaya. . .feel them. . .they are all yours.

To see more wonderful images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .the world awaits you right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Babe…Buddha…babies…Bagan–

BOOM!  Here we are chillin’ out with a family who has set up shop inside the entranceway of a temple in Bagan, Myanmar.  The daughter is selling trinkets. . .the Buddha is watching over us all–daring us to aim for nirvana in our humble existence. . .and the kids are, well, just being kids. . .playing with a broom, laughing, enjoying this moment to its fullest. . .mmmm, aaaahh!  The kids have it right, as usual–just enjoy each moment to its fullest and keep rockin’ and rollin’ knowing that what will be, will be.  Cheers!

I send you childlike vibes from a temple here in Bagan. . .feel them. . .they are full of the wisdom of the ages.

To see more amazing images from around our teeny-tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and soooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

Balloons over Bagan–

Yes, folks get up at four in the morning, load into buses, and then load into hot-air balloons for sunrise excursions over the vast plains of Bagan.  Us?  We prefer chillin’ out down here on the ground on the edge of a seven hundred year old pagoda and watching the hot-air contraptions float on by. . .mmmm, aaaahh!. . .who knows what the inspection process is for those babies–I certainly don’t wanna be in one when it is learned that maybe the process isn’t what it should be.  I know. . .whaaaa, whaaaaa, whaaaaaa. . .like a little cry baby, I know.

But here on the ground it is absolutely lovely and serene to watch the balloons float along. . .I totally love this vantage point, PLUS we get to enjoy this serene feeling without any of the risk.  Rock on, Balloons over Bagan, rock on!

I send you glorious and safe vibes from Bagan. . .feel them. . .they are grounded and spectacular.

It’s lovely out there.

Morning glow…Bagan–

WOW!  I dare you to visit Bagan, sit on an ancient pagoda early in the mornin’ to watch the sun come up, and take a bad photo.  You can’t do it. . .impossible. . .just too beautiful and glorious here to ever take a bad photo.

Above are dawn views to the east from a pagoda called Bule Thi.  This is a chill spot. . .there are mostly European folks here waiting with us. . .plus a few Yanks like me. . .and everyone is getting great sunrise shots.  More importantly, we all feel the vibrations of the life force, some life force, as we sit quietly watching our life-sustaining sun rise and bring warmth to these plains for about the two trillionth time. . .mmmm, aaaahh!. . .we bask in and celebrate the mystery of it all!

I send you warming vibes from the plains of Bagan. . .feel them. . .they are worth getting up early for.

To see more amazing images from around our teeny-tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and sooooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

#1 hotel…Bagan, Myanmar–

POW!  You gotta stay here when you visit Bagan–the Aureum Palace Resort.  Some junta general built this place right in the middle of the Bagan landscape. . .there are folks who are upset about this, but not I.  I love being able to dip into this lovely pool and look out at ancient pagodas at the same time.  The structures, color scheme, and overall layout of Aureum blend in quite nicely with the surrounding landscape. . .but they need to move away from the “cash only” policy–funny to see folks emptying out wads of U.S. and E.U. cash at the front desk to pay their bills–because it is a pain in the arse.  They actually have the capability to use credit cards. . .you just have to beg really hard upon check out.  Try it. . .it works:-).

Anyway, Aureum Palace has great food, great drinks, lovely staff, wonderful rooms, and the best location imaginable in Bagan. . .I send you well-run and well-placed vibes from Bagan. . .feel them. . .they are worth every penny.

To see more amazing images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Asteroid 2004 BL86–

  An open note to the asteroid that just passed by our humble little Earth:  Dear Asteroid 2004 BL86, thank you for not smashing into our humble little Earth and destroying all life as we know it.  Wishing you much success and calm as you continue your journey through our solar system and beyond.  Cheers!  Signed, a humble little Earthling contentedly bamboozeled by the mystery of existence.

It’s lovely here and out there.

Bagan-ya, mate–

The Ananda Temple here in Bagan, Myanmar was built around 1090 making it the oldest of the four surviving temples here.  ‘Ananda’ comes from a Burmese word that means ‘boundless wisdom’. . .and I must say that the glorious feeling that I am getting while walking around this thing is also boundless. . .mmm, aaaahh!  The sun is bright, the sky is blue, the breezes are warm, the place is empty, and the vibes are sweet-sweet-sweet.  I love visiting the temples and pagodas of Bagan, and you will too if you ever find yourself wandering around these lush plains.

I send you uplifting vibes from Bagan. . .feel them. . .they are as good as it gets.

It’s lovely out there.

Sushi makes us happy–

The exquisite piece of seafood is placed in front of you by the sushi master.  It could be mackerel, it could be snapper, it could be toro, it could be blue fin, it could be Santa Barbara uni, or a delectable slice of vegetable wrapped around an herbal leaf that is filled with something tasty and good and nutritious and magical. . .mmmm, aaaahh!  Sushi is like life: we keep working at it trying to make it better and better and then BOOM! it is gone.  Here one moment, fully consumed the next.

Enjoy it all NOW because it’s all gonna be over before you know it.

I send you philosophical vibes from a kick-ass new Japanese joint here in New York City called Shuko. . .feel them. . .they are worthy of your attention.

To see more amazing images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and soooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.