🏛️ Pyay Adventure: Ancient Kingdoms, Riverside Sunsets & the Crispiest Falooda in Myanmar

#springitinerary Ever wanted to time-travel to a 2,000-year-old Pyu kingdom, then stuff yourself with street food while watching the Ayeyarwady turn gold? Welcome to Pyay—where history and hedonism collide. 🌅 First Impressions Stepping off the bus, Pyay hit me with warm, dusty air and the sound of bicycle bells ringing past crumbling colonial buildings. The Ayeyarwady loomed in the distance—wide, lazy, and dotted with fishing boats. The vibe? "Bagan’s quieter, cooler cousin." 🤣 The "I Climbed a Pagoda… and a Goat Followed Me" Moment At Shwesandaw Pagoda, I decided to "get a better view" by climbing a less-touristed side stupa. Halfway up, I realized a determined goat was trailing me, bleating like I owed it money. (Spoiler: It beat me to the top.) 🐐 🍜 Foodie Heaven Breakfast was Pyay’s famous ahlu poh—flaky, deep-fried bread sticks dipped in chickpea curry. But the unexpected star? A street cart’s falooda—rose-syrup-soaked jelly, crunchy nuts, and ice cream so thick it could double as a pillow. I ordered two. 💎 Hidden Gem: Sri Ksetra’s Forgotten Ruins Everyone visits Shwesandaw, but the real magic is biking 10km to Sri Ksetra, an ancient Pyu city. Wander through 1,000-year-old brick stupas swallowed by grass—no fences, no tickets, just you and the ghosts of empires. ⏳ Weekend Itinerary 6 AM: Shwesandaw sunrise (golden stupa + misty river views). 8 AM: Ahlu poh feast at the market (get extra curry for dipping!). 12 PM: Bike to Sri Ksetra (pack water + a sense of wonder!). 4 PM: Riverside hammock nap (essential). 7 PM: Barbecue buffet by the clock tower (try the lemongrass quail!). Final Tips Rent a motorbike—it’s the best way to explore. Carry small kyat—many vendors won’t have change. Learn "Hnit sar lah?" ("Is this coconut?" in Burmese)—key for snack safety. Pyay doesn’t just whisper history—it shouts it through street food and stubborn goats. 🏍️ #pyayorbust