Last days in Myanmar

The usual tourist route from Inle Lake to Yangon is a 13-hour overnight bus ride. Didn't fancy that so went off-piste. Bus over the mountains, going the wrong way along a dual-carriageway at one point to overtake a string of slow lorries. Arrived at Thazi where we bought a train ticket for halfway. Were welcomed and fed in the Moonlight Guest House while waiting. Only ordinary class coaches but modern so smooth ride but hard seats. Slept well in hotel at Taungoo. Rode the slow train  upper class to Yangon next day in old coaches but comfy seats.

Trains may be slow but they run on time, there's no horn blowing and the rails are (generally) smoother than the roads.

Flight back tomorrow.

Inle trek pics 2

On the lake

Inle trek pics 1

Various

Kalaw pics

Cave and tea with Buddha.

Around Inle Lake

After the heat of Mandalay we headed south and east getting tangled up with a huge market at a temple before climbing up to the town of Kalaw at about 1300 metres. Cool and wooded, quite different from Hsipaw. A tourist town even for the better-off Burmese. Booked a two-day trek to Inle Lake. Then walked to a cave full of Buddhas being turned away from two roads by the army but got there in the end. Visited a bamboo Buddha where we were given green tea.

The trek was really good so it's not surprising that it's very popular. Easier terrain than at Hsipaw but longer days, 17km the first and 15km the second, followed by a one-and-a-half hour boat ride along the lake and up to Nyaungshwe.

Decided to miss the obligatory  boat tour as we found the boat very noisy, so hired bikes from the hotel and explored the eastern side of the lake, stopping at Maing Thauk for a stroll and a juice before heading further south passing several huge lakeside resorts. Eventually we took over a veranda in a resort which looked closed and had great views.

Next day headed south-west and found a great spot overlooking the lake. Gentle day, our last before heading to Yangon.

Hsipaw trek pics

Countryside and homestay

Train from Hsipaw

Inside and out

Pyin Oo Lwin pics

House and garden.

Shan state part 1

The bus journey from Mandalay to Hsipaw was slow and dusty at times, with roadworks and lots of heavy lorries as this is one of the main routes to China. Very mountainous with many hairpin bends with room for either a lorry going up or one going down, but not both ways!  Cheap hotel in town, booked a two-day trek then headed for a bar.

Walked to a local waterfall but it was only a trickle. The countryside was pretty with lots of small fields and well irrigated. A bit cooler here.

Trek was six hours up, quite hot at the end, but a lovely village homestay with great food but no electricity, only some solar panels and an army detachment 'protecting' the village. Four hours back down the next morning to a very welcome shower.

The train chugged and swayed slowly back towards Mandalay, crossing the famous Gokteik Viaduct then we got off to explore Pyin Oo Lwin for a day.

Pyin Oo Lwin was lovely, cool because at 1000 metres with a great botanic garden and old British buildings a bit like a decaying Home Counties. Then back for a night in Mandalay.

More Mandalay pics

Temples etc.

Mandalay Hill

Pics

The road to Mandalay

It was nearly 12 hours chugging up the Irrawaddy in an almost empty boat. Slower than a bus but a lot smoother!

Took bikes for two days to pedal around Mandalay which is nice and flat, except for Mandalay Hill, which we felt obliged to climb. Then more temples, including a super wooden monastery. 

Second day pedalled the back streets down to U Bein bridge, apparently the longest teak bridge in Asia. Spotted a temple and attached monastery and got given a guided tour by one of the four resident monks.

Since arriving in Myanmar the weather has been hot (35 degrees) so we've been tourists in the morning and lazy in the afternoon. Food and accommodation have been good and cheap - so far.

After conflicting reports of which parts are open, we're off to the hills north-east of Mandalay tomorrow, hopefully cooler than here. 

Extra pics Bagan

Artist and Mount Popa.

Amazing Bagan

Nine hours north by minibus wasn't as bad as expected. Had booked room in mid-range hotel but got given a suite so a bit of unexpected luxury for 4 nights.

Took electric motorbike to start visiting temples - about 2000 over an area of about 70 square kms so won't do them all. Did two days' worth, but impossible to describe, too much variety, in various states of decay or restoration, some beautifully decorated inside, all 11-13 century. Bought a small painting.

Day trip to Mount Popa today then very early start for expensive boat up the Irriwady to Mandalay tomorrow.

After our sixth lovely meal here should add that if you like spicy then this is the place to be - we seem to be eating our way around Myanmar!