Early morning, we traverse Buddha filled Lumbini Garden to reach Mount Zwegabin.

The climb is steady, stealing our breath and energy. Hundreds of statues sit in the valley below.

Crossing the ridge, we admire far away temples.

The summit's pagodas gleam gold.

Shoes off. Cool tiles beneath our feet.

Monkeys wander, stealing snacks and coffee cups. Local men with sling shots can deter them. Ethan intimidates one primate to retrieve a fellow Canadian's bag.

Interestingly, a monk asks for a picture with us. 

Many local people climb as the heat intensifies.  

Some teem with energy.

Others wilt. 

Happily, we descend.

*** 

I hope you enjoyed Mount Zwegabin, another beautiful area near Hpa-An, Myanmar. Soon we'll be out of the south and off to Bagan (not before another bumpy bus rise) which is one of my favourite places in both Myanmar and Southeast Asia. It's so photogenic that I may or may not devote a whole chapter to pictures, haven't quite decided yet. What are your thoughts?