STOPPING BY AT A CRAFTS SHOP IN BAGAN

15th DECEMBER 2019 ~ For a short break in between the pagoda hopping trip, Mr. Ye Ye, our guide, took us to this one crafts shop in town. We we first welcomed into the workplace where we could see people were carrying out their work.

I was trying not to attract the workers' attention, taking their photos. I don't think it would be a pleasant experience, being observed by strangers all the time while one was trying to earn some money.

The main product of this shop was lacquer ware. Most probably Bagan was renowned for its high quality local lacquer ware handicrafts.

This person was someone who owns the family business. He was there to give us a short briefing on his shop and the items that were sold there.

Then we went into the souvenir shop and there were varieties of colourful items on sale. Unfortunately, visitors were not allowed to take photos inside the shop. We went out empty-handed because as the shop was primarily for (rich) tourists, so the prices of the souvenirs on display were a bit too high for me. You could always get some traditional souvenirs to take home from Bagan and there were also many other shops producing and selling similar items.

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HANDICRAFTS MADE IN VIETNAM

14TH DECEMBER 2014 ~ Included in the Chu Chi Tunnel package was a trip to a handicraft factory which produced lacquer art. If you are looking for something distinct from Ho Chi Minh, lacquer art should be it. The craftsmen use egg shells (and sometimes mother of pearl) in their paintings which required both patience and diligence in placing the minute details in the designs. 

I did not buy anything from this factory though. However, I managed to get a few pieces of small lacquer products from the night market, something smaller that could fit nicely in my luggage bag.

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