When
visiting the ruins at Bagan, we stayed at the Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel.
The hotel is in fact a series of bungalows located on the banks of the
Ayeyarwady River. The bungalows feature teak interiors and have air conditioning,
a necessity during the hot months. The photo to the left shows the reception
area of the Thiripyitsaya Sakura, done in traditional Burmese style, while
the photo to the right shows a view of the bungalows.
Behind
the reception area is the social heart of the Thiripyitsaya Sakura, a large
outdoor deck which also serves as a dining area. Next to the deck is the
bar and the enclosed dining area; both featuring beamed ceilings with thatched
roofs and ceiling fans. The photo to the left shows the outdoor dining
area, while the picture to the right captures the enclosed areas from the
vantage point of the lawn that separates the dining area from the pool.
As you can see, it sparkles at night with the many small lights that line
the eves of the building, creating a cozy atmosphere.
The
photo to the left gives one a more complete view of the Thiripyitsaya Sakura.
Shot from the banks of the Ayeyarwady, it shows the relationship of the
pool area to the dining and reception areas. The bungalows are off to the
left of the photo. The hotel is ideal not only for its proximity to the
Mingalazedi stupa (a wonderful place for viewing the sunset) but also for
its views of the Ayeyarwady River.
The
Ayeyarwady River is one of Asia's great river systems, and the Thiripyitsaya
Sakura offers beautiful views of the sunsets on the river. The photo to
the left shows the view from the hotel's outdoor deck. On the evening the
photo was shot, they were setting up for a sunset buffet on the deck. The
photo to the right captures the eerie landscape of the Ayeyarwady River.
It could be a moonscape, as the dry summer riverbed gives way to the river,
which in turn abuts against the neighboring mountains. It is a stark, serene,
and hauntingly beautiful setting.
As
beautiful as the setting was at the Thiripyitsaya Sakura, it seemed a shame
not to check out some of the other local dining spots. Our last night in
Bagan we dropped by The Sunset Gardens, one of a number of little eateries
perched on a bluff overlooking the Ayeyarwady. After dining on a delicious
meal of jumbo prawns, we were treated to some traditional Myanmar dancing.
To watch the video to the left, click on the
arrow at the bottom left corner of the image.
