Cruising the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar

By Brian Johnston
December 10 2016 - 12:15am
Sanctuary Ananda sails on the Irrawaddy River past Sagaing. Photo: Ken Hayden Photography
Sanctuary Ananda sails on the Irrawaddy River past Sagaing. Photo: Ken Hayden Photography
Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay.
Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay.
Sin Kyun village sits on a large riverine island and is engulfed by floodwater during the wet season. Photo: Supplied
Sin Kyun village sits on a large riverine island and is engulfed by floodwater during the wet season. Photo: Supplied
Sanctuary Ananda sails on the Irrawaddy River past Sagaing.
Sanctuary Ananda sails on the Irrawaddy River past Sagaing.
Men living on a cargo ship on the Irrawaddy River prepare for their day's work. Photo: iStock
Men living on a cargo ship on the Irrawaddy River prepare for their day's work. Photo: iStock
Children in Sin Kyun village. Photo: Supplied
Children in Sin Kyun village. Photo: Supplied

From the plane's window, sluggish brown rivers weave through a jigsaw of palm-fringed fields. Rooftops gleam bright blue and pagodas wink gold as my plane lands in Mandalay. Carousels groan in a bare concrete hall at this no-fuss airport, and my suitcase soon appears.

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