Weather
that morning was really beautiful! Sun is shining and it means only
one thing. Another great day!
Spending
a couple of hours at the Loch ness yesterday was really good. Today
we will be traveling towards Kirkwall then to Orkney Isles.
Whilst
on the road. Our tour guide was explaining our itinerary, he also
shared story about the Loch's famous resident to be told. Do you
really know what Loch Ness means? Here's my share:
I
don't know if you remember the movie, LOCH NESS, it became really
famous mostly in 1996. We've seen it. Anyway, whenever i hear Loch
Ness, my first thought is always the "monster coming out from
the Loch.." Anyways, so many speculations as if its really true
or not. Sharing a link: http://lochnessmystery.blogspot.com
The
June weather was pretty good. In Scotland, better not ask how's the
weather looks like because its always, “unpredictable”.. lolz..
As
we drove towards our destination. The sights along the way was really
awesome. First, we board the ferry crossing the Pentland Firth in the
Orkney Archipelago. I love to stay longer on the deck to enjoy the
sea view but it was really cold and windy. I know it was realy
beautiful there but, im looking forward to see more landscapes,
instead.
The
time we arrived on land, we drove to the famous Italian Chapel. Tiny
chapel yet impressive and really beautiful. Based from our tour
guide, they told us that the chapel was built by the Italian
prisoners of war during the World War II. We stayed for about half an
hour to enjoy this place. Wonderful! After a couple of minutes
driving we also stopped at the Scapa Flow, where we've seen the
remains of the wrecked ships used during the World War.
After
an hour, we finally arrived at our last destination that day, The
Viking stronghold of Kirkwall. We will be staying here for two
nights! Yeebaaa! Since we are already in the city of Kirkwall and
before our tour guide sent us to our hotel rooms. We all went to drop
by and visited the St.
Magnus Cathedral. Another impressive and really beautiful
cathedral. I really enjoyed my time here too. Then after an hour of
visiting the cathedral, we went to visit the ruin castle. The
Earl's Place.
THE EARL'S PALACE
I
thought we all had a great time this day. This day 2 trip was another
wonderful day. Anyways, as Scotland's summer time it simply means
that day light is longer that night. 8PM was still broad day light,
so we thought to visit the Kirkwall harbor before going to our
scheduled dinner. Here, we've seen the place where they duck the fish
boats. We did enjoy the view and colourful sights.
We started our day pretty early today. From
Edinburgh to Loch ness.
First day is always an exciting moment. Just
can't wait to begin the adventure. So here it is!
Got all the details from the Tour: Thanks to
Highland Experience Tours
"We leave Edinburgh behind and travel
to Stirling where we make a photo-stop at mighty Stirling Castle.
Enjoy the panorama which includes the Wallace Monument and the
impressive Ochil Hills as a backdrop. From Stirling we make our way
towards Doune, famed for its own castle (of Monty Python’s Holy
Grail fame), then onwards to Callander. Here the Lowlands of Scotland
give way to the spectacular scenery of the Highlands.
Our scenic drive takes us along the
beautiful banks of Loch Lubnaig then on through "bonnie”
Strathyre towards Glen Ogle and Glen Dochart. After climbing the
"Black Mount” we reach vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor which
stretches out ahead of us.
There’s a photo-stop so that we can enjoy
the spectacular and dramatic scenery of Glen Coe before making the
short journey to Fort William.
Next we explore Glen Mor, better known as
The Great Glen, which runs diagonally through the Highlands. This is
a picturesque landscape of striking mountains and deep lochs. The
famous engineer, Thomas Telford, used the three lochs of the Great
Glen to create the Caledonian Canal which links the Irish Sea to the
North Sea. We will follow the route of the canal as we journey
northwards.
Our home for tonight is in Fort Augustus,
situated on the banks of mysterious Loch Ness.
Overnight : Fort Augustus"
It took for about five hours drive from
#Yangon to the #Golden Rock (#Kyaikhtiyo). The time we arrived at the
first base camp. We left our car and transfered to the open truck
(the only transport used when going up to the mountain). The truck
ride took for about an hour across to among the forest mountain.
Golden Rock (Kyaikhtiyo) is a major
pilgrimage site for Burmese Budhhist. According to wiki:
"Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site in Mon State, Myanmar. It is a small pagoda built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by devotees."
I thought this is our first highlight of
our #Myanmar trip. Me and my husband were both so happy to see this
place. This is a must see in Myanmar. We stayed for a night to
witness the evening traditional events. People keep arriving 24 hours
and this time of the year December to January, we were told that its
a very busy time as truly special and thousands of Burmese people
sleeping in the main square.
As a foreigner visiting the pilgrimage, i
thought it was trully a privilege to be there and be immersed in the
spiritual culture. The rock itself is really beautiful. I was amazed
by the balancing rock. There are other parts on the top to explore as
well as a great walk down to a quaint waterfall.
Thing is, FEMALE cannnot go closer to the
Golden Rock only MEN were allowed to approach the rock, so i watched
my husband to go there together with our guide. It said that only the
men can feel it's magic. It is said to bring prosperity in the year
ahead.
The morning, i went for a walk. I've seen
how busy the place is... I cannot express enough how special this
destination is, the people are so nice and so friendly.
(a quick selfie!)
