Mandalay offered the opportunity to make many side excursions to towns nearby, including one of my favorites, Mingun. The day started with a ride to the Mandalay harbor, awash in a bustle of morning activity. After 30 minutes of people watching, I boarded a small boat for the 11km ride upriver to the town of Mingun. Here there were plenty of wonderful sights to explore, including the Hsinbyume Paya. This white-washed paya in the style of a wedding cake gleamed so brightly in the dazzling sun that I had to avert my eyes frequently, even with my sunglasses on. As I climbed up the stairs, the only sound breaking the silence was that of a bell chiming near the Buddha statue at the top. Uncovering a monk hiding in a small alcove only added to the charm of this unique paya.