Mount PopaMount Popa, located 50km away from Bagan, is an extinct volcano that rises. The name "popa" means flowers in Sanskrit, because of a local belief that the forest around Mount Popa was once home of Mai Wunna, a flower-eating ogress.
Although from a distance Mount Popa looks like one single peak, it in fact consists of three peaks which are 4981, 4801 and 4501 feet high. Mount Popa is on a plateau that is 1000 feet above the surrounding plains, and 1800 feet above sea level. Therefore, the actual volcano is 3000 feet from the base. The area around Mount Popa is today designated a national park, and the authorities are keen to develop it for ecotourism.
Farmer's market on our way to Mt. Popa
Women carry fruits and vegetables in baskets and walk for miles to sell the produce.
Mount Popa's attraction today lies not so much in its geological past, but more in its religious and mystical attraction. Mt. Popa is regarded as the home of Myanmar's most powerful nats and as such is the most important nat worship center. Nats are local spirits which are commonly worshipped throughout Myanmar, and Mt. Popa was the Mountain of Spirits. There are many nat shrines on this mountain.
To reach the top, you need to remove shoes and socks and climb the 777 steps to the summit. Along the way are a multitude of monkeys expecting treats. Sometimes they can get a little aggressive. One of the monkey's stole my friend Matt's hat and we had to bribe the monkey by giving him treats to get the hat back.
Hmmm!!! where's my lunch?
Sa Sa's family.
Top of Mt. Popa
Sa Sa Kotovsky, Matt K, Kyle K, Momayi (Sa Sa's sister), nephew & our guide Khaing.
Next stop Mandalay...
