When they said there were almost 3,000 pagodas in Bagan, I couldn't really picture it. But here it is... Pretty astounding sight.
If you look closely, you can see the hot air balloon that you can ride on for USD 250 per person. Uh, maybe when I'm too old to climb the pagodas...
"While much of the pagoda's beauty derives from the complex geometry of its shape and surrounding structures, equally mesmerizing is its golden glow. The lower stupa is plated with 8,688 solid gold bars, an upper part with another 13,153. The tip of the stupa, far too high for the human eye to discern in any detail, is set with 5448 diamonds, 2317 rubies, sapphires, and other gems, 1065 golden bells and, at the very top, a single 76-carat diamond. Surrounding the pagoda are a plentitude of smaller shrines housing pre-Buddhist spirits called Nats, miracle working images, and even a wish granting stone. The entire temple complex radiates a palpable sense of beauty and serenity."
If Angkor Wat captivated me because of its grandeur and size, the simplicity and sense of timelessness of Bagan enchanted me...
