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.
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