29^th August 2013 -  on the Irrawady River  – Mingun to Nwe Nyein

The ship anchors off this traditional clay pot making village

We pass this boat on our way to the shore

Whilst this one battles against the strong current with his sail and paddle!

Pots lining the shore, close to the wood which is waiting to be taken to the kilns

Bullocks drag the cart carrying glazed pots to the boat waiting to transport them

The kiln being fired up with all the wood

A young mother is lucky enough to have running water to bathe her son

This old lady watches outside her home as we walk buy

The thanaka painted face of a young teenage girl

(Thanaka is the paste made from the sandalwood ground up and mixed with water, it symbolizes that they are Burmese, and is used as a sunscreen

Glazing of the baked pots is a bit messy, but skilled

These children are kept indoors, so as not to get too sunburnt!

These two girls are as fascinated by us as we are by them!

The bottom half of the huge water jars being coiled

The huge coils of wet clay being rolled out like pastry

The bottom half is joined with a top half in the middle.  Here one man is turning the wheel at the bottom, whilst the other is inside turning the clay into a smooth finish

The string helping join the two pieces is removed

The clay pots are hardened off in the shade of the matted roof

Jars loaded in the kiln for firing, before the wood is piled on top and set light to

The Doctor of our ship  (LHS) and our guide (RHS) hand out crayons and exercise books to the school children in the  village.  This practice was carried out at not only the stops we made, but our support boat also took them to other villages along the river.

Passengers also hand out the books and pencils to the children

A beautifully finished pot being carried by a Burmese lady on her head