A monk dries his maroon coloured robe after washing it in the Ayeyarwady River that runs through Bagan, Myanmar. The Ayeyarwady river originates from Tibetan springs and Himalayan glaciers and roughly translates to “river that brings blessings to the people”.
About 13,000 temples once coloured the plains of Bagan, Myanmar, in a small space of only 42 sq km. Most built between the 11th and 12th centuries, the golden age abruptly ended when Anawratha’s kingdom was invaded by the Mongols in 1287. Around 2200 still remain today, which still provide for a great challenge to find the perfect photo spot.
BAGAN, MYANMAR
Passing Bagan, the town of a thousand temples, once more. Visible on the left is the Dhammayazika Pagoda (built in 1196) under repair from the earthquake that shook Myanmar in 2016. Amongst the temples on the plains, often locals can be spotted guiding their herds of cattle.
NYAUNG SHWE, MYANMAR
Inle lake is Myanmar’s second largest lake and is also one of the highest. The local Intha people fish for a species of carp, nga hpein, which is a staple for their local diet. The west side is also used for floating agriculture.
Two members of the local organisation Hnalone Hla Inn Maung Mae, Kyaw Thet Nain and Thu zar khine, took us here as part of their mini tour. They also introduced us to their families who live inside one of these houses on the lake.
The lake provides a livelihood to nearly 200,000 people but is suffering from overfishing, pollution, logging and a decrease of water volume. Hnalone Hla Inn Maung Mae teaches and works with locals to conserve the lake. Read more about them on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Hnalonehla-Innmaungmae-801233396596587 or view the Fair Photo here http://fairphoto.org/art-print/equilibrium/.
SCOUTING FOR FAIR PHOTO
HNALONE HLA INN MAUNG MAE
NYAUNG SHWE, MYANMAR
Visiting the organisation for Fair Photo’s very first photograph. The amazing Aleks Wynn came down from Sydney to help create a video about who they are, what they do and why it is important.
Read more about it on the Fair Photo Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fair.photo
View the photo here: http://www.fairphoto.org/art-print/equilibrium/
A Burmase lady prays inside the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.
A Burmese monk poses for the camera near my hotel in Nyaung Shwe, Myanmar
