Colombo - Sri Lanka | Joe Journeys

Bagan - Joe Journeys

Bagan - Joe Journeys

Nyaung U - Joe Journeys

Nyaung-U is a town in the Mandalay Region of central Myanmar. It lies on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. It is just 4 kilometers away from old Bagan, a popular tourist attraction.

Nyaung U is a good place to settle for exploring the the ancient temples of Bagan. It has modern hotels and a nice selection of eating establishments, many of which offer free wifi. The town isn’t particularly large, and getting around on foot or a rented bike is very easy.

The Shwezigon Pagoda or Shwezigon Paya is a Buddhist temple located in Nyaung U. It is a prototype of Burmese stupas, a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the ashes of Buddhist monks, used by Buddhists as a place of meditation. It consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines.

Construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta and was completed in 1102 AD, during the reign of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The pagoda is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha, whose teachings of Buddhism was founded. Within the compound of the Shwezigon Pagoda is a stone pillar containing Mon language inscriptions dedicated by King Kyansittha.

The riverbank is undeveloped but a nice place to visit. It remains untouched and free to anyone who manages to reach it. I used a pedal bike to get around the first day, along some busy roads, and down some side streets and alleys where locals live, to reach the river.

Nyaung U proximity to Bagan and the temples was very convenient for exploring the area. After my pedal bike experience, which only cost about  2$US a day, I upgraded for the electric motor bike for 5$US a day.

The question before arriving was, where to stay in Bagan? Nyaung U was ideal, it is close to the airport and within reach of the most important sites of Bagan, with many conveniences for the modern and adventurous traveller.

Nyaung U - Joe Journeys

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I have been working hard to find a way to better deliver information and better organise my website, so hang in there while I update the content into the new and improved Joe Journeys.

You may notice in the next few days and weeks that pages will begin to look different, but this is all to improve things and better organise content. Joe Journeys blog is being retired, and instead and up-to-the-minute website is being built to prepare for the future.







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Why Hotel Lille - Review

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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Finding the Best Western Premier Why Hotel in Lille is an easy walk from any of the train stations, the facade already hints your about to get into something unusual about a standard hotel, something it definitely is not.

The lobby and entrance is nothing to boast about, it has a restaurant on the main floor and outdoor terrace, a DJ  with chill-out music suggests a trendy place to be, something the room interiors definitely deliver.

Oval windows, stylish rooms, big plush beds, LED mood lighting, flat screen TV, modern bathrooms with very unique deep bath and shower that requires a bit of a climb. There is room service available (handy when I discovered my fridge wasn't working and a bucket of ice was delivered). In room coffee maker with proper Nesspresso coffee that always delivers a punch of caffeine.

The Best Western Premier Why Hotel is chic and stylish. The location is ideal, butLille is small anyway, getting around on foot is the best way to see the town. Nearby pedestrian shopping areas and restaurants, and just a short walk from main sites.

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Best Western Premier Why Hotel - Booking.com
Best Western Premier Why Hotel - Tripadvisor
Best Western Premier Why Hotel

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