London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 53 – 19 October 2016
Ancient Temples, a Giant Buddha and the Road to Monywa
The weather finally seemed to be changing in our favour.
For the first time in several days, we woke to bright sunshine and pleasantly warm temperatures. After the rain, mud, and gloomy skies that had greeted us on entering Myanmar, the sunshine was a welcome sight.
Today, Team Kontiki would be travelling from Mandalay towards Monywa, a distance of approximately 200 kilometres.
As we drove through the towns and villages of Myanmar, a familiar feeling began to emerge.
It felt as though we were already in India.
The busy roads, constant hooting of horns, colourful roadside stalls, wandering livestock, and seemingly chaotic traffic all reminded us strongly of the Indian subcontinent. Yet somehow, everything flowed along in its own organised manner.
After weeks of travelling through the orderly highways of China, it was quite a contrast.
The roads themselves continued to be challenging. Much of the route was hilly, winding, and often rough, requiring constant concentration behind the wheel.
Fortunately, today’s journey was not just about driving.
Along the way, we visited several fascinating sites that offered a glimpse into Myanmar’s rich religious and cultural heritage.
Our first stop was the Maha Muni Pagoda, one of the country’s most revered Buddhist sites. The pagoda houses a highly respected image of Buddha that attracts pilgrims from across Myanmar. The atmosphere was peaceful and spiritual, with worshippers quietly offering prayers and paying their respects.
From there, we continued to the famous U Bein Bridge.
Stretching approximately 3,200 feet (around 1.2 kilometres) across Taungthaman Lake, it is believed to be the world’s longest teakwood footbridge. Built in the mid-19th century, the bridge remains one of Myanmar’s most iconic landmarks.
Walking along it, we could see fishermen on the lake below and local people going about their daily lives. The bridge’s weathered wooden structure, supported by hundreds of teak posts, created a truly unique sight.
It was easy to understand why it is one of the most photographed locations in the country.
After spending some time there, we continued our journey and drove for another hour and a half before reaching another impressive religious complex.
Here we visited a monastery and one of Myanmar’s most remarkable monuments—a colossal Standing Buddha, towering approximately 424 feet (129 metres) into the sky.
The sheer scale of the statue was astonishing.
Visible from miles away, it dominated the surrounding landscape and served as a powerful symbol of the country’s deep Buddhist traditions. Standing at its base, we felt tiny in comparison.
Myanmar was proving to be a country of superlatives, with grand religious monuments appearing in even the most unexpected locations.
As the afternoon drew to a close, we continued towards Monywa.
The scenery along the way was beautiful, with rolling hills, rural villages, farmland, and countless golden pagodas glinting in the sunlight. Everywhere we looked, there seemed to be another temple, monastery, or shrine.
By evening, we finally arrived in Monywa.
To our delight, tonight’s accommodation turned out to be one of the nicest we had experienced in Myanmar so far.
We checked into a beautiful resort, surrounded by well-maintained gardens and offering a welcome opportunity to relax after another busy day of sightseeing and driving.
As we settled in for the evening, there was a growing sense of anticipation within Team Kontiki.
If everything went according to plan, we would be crossing into India within the next couple of days.
After nearly two months on the road and thousands of miles across Europe and Asia, the thought of reaching India felt both exciting and emotional.
Mumbai was still some distance away, but for the first time, home no longer felt impossibly far away.
Distance travelled: Approximately 200 km (125 miles)
Route: Mandalay to Monywa, Myanmar
Weather: Sunny, warm, and pleasant
Highlights: Visiting Maha Muni Pagoda, the famous U Bein Bridge, and the giant Standing Buddha
Most memorable moment: Walking across the historic teakwood U Bein Bridge and admiring the 424-foot-tall Buddha statue
Accommodation: Beautiful resort in Monywa
Mood of the day: Relaxed, optimistic, and increasingly excited about reaching India
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki continues across Myanmar, drawing ever closer to the Indian border and the final stages of our extraordinary London-to-Mumbai road adventure.
