Day 18 and 19 - travelling home

The last morning in Myanmar was spent going to the market and browsing for last minute presents. I managed to get some nice scarves. We also found a Dutch coffee shop and had a drink before going back to the hotel to catch the bus to the airport. Seeing KFC in the town made me wonder what Myanmar would be like in 5-10 years time. I expect it will be more geared to tourism. I hope it doesn't lose its charm as a result.

We left for the airport at 2pm. Security was quite odd as you had to put your case and bags through an X-ray machine just to get to the check-in area. We had quite a long wait but eventually were able to check-in and go through. Only immigration - no security to get to the gate area, there were some duty free and more souvenir shops here. We sat and had a drink before the flight was ready.

Finally we got on the flight - 3 hours to Singapore.

Once at Singapore we had a three hour wait before our next flight. It is an amazing airport. Very large and lots to do. I wandered around the airport shops for a while and visited the butterfly area but as it was dark they were not flying around.

I had bought myself some water to take on the plane only to have to go through more security at the gate where they wouldn't let me take my water :-( interestingly they never asked about any other liquids !

This flight was 14 hours long overnight. I didn't sleep much and felt very dehydrated. It was a Singapore airlines flight but I felt they could have offered more water - I had to ask a couple of times. I think that as its night time they assume folk will be asleep :-(

I was so happy to get back home after driving from the airport - fantastic to see my girls and the house. It took a few days to get over the jet lag especially my digestive system!!

What will I remember about Myanmar ? It was a fantastic holiday and I was fortunate to be with lovely people, a fab room mate and a great guide. Seventeen days was a little long especially as I didn't have my roomie for the last few days so it was quite lonely.

Main things I'll remember about the country are:

Lovely friendly people
Temples, stupas and monasteries and having to take your shoes off!
Inle Lake was beautiful
The beach and hotel were wonderful
The dogs in the streets and cats in the monasteries
The exciting balloon ride
U-bein bridge and our boat ride
Releasing an owl
The motorbikes and the horn bibbing
The monks in their burgundy robes and the nuns in their pink robes
The faces of the ladies painted
The food and how the oil didn't agree with me!
Fresh pineapple and coconut on the beach
The trek in the rain and being made so welcome in a rural home
Being invited randomly into a wedding celebration
Seeing the two boys who were due to go and be made monks
The hand crafts
The ladies from the tribes with the rings around their necks
The squat toilets and that you can't put the toilet paper down
The lovely sunsets

Wow - so much 😄

Day 17 - the start of the trip home - back to Yangon

The hotel bus took us back to the airport for our flight back to Yangon. There was a short delay but we eventually got going. We arrived in Yangon just after lunch back to the Panda hotel.  I decided to just chill in the hotel till dinner.

We all went to the same restaurant we very first went to when we arrived at the beginning of the holiday and had a very nice meal.

Only half a day left and then the long flight home.

Day 16 - last day at the beach before the trek home

Another day chilling and reading.

The hotel has started to decorate the place for Christmas. Lots of lovely twinkly lights around the gardens and restaurant - it is looking very festive 😀

This morning after a yummy breakfast I walked along the beach for an hour. There were some very interesting crabs scuttling around. Further down the beach there was a mermaid in the sea,making out so hard to get a good photo. Along the beach thee were sellers on stands and massage places under tents. If I hadn't booked one at the hotel I may have given one of these a try as they were much cheaper. It was great walking but I forgot to put any suntan lotion on so caught the sun a little !

For lunch I had another fresh pineapple from the same lady.

The reflexology massage was very different to those I've had in the UK. It included the leg upto the knee and more around the toes and sides of the foot than underneath. The girl who did it was very nice but couldn't speak much English so it was quite quiet. She kept asking if I was ok especially as some point on my foot hurt when she pushed the wooden thing she was using quite hard on the top of my toes.

We decided to try another restaurant outside for dinner after cocktails. We had noticed earlier that they were setting up a balloon on the beach. It turned out that the balloon company were launching their beach rides and had a special do going on from our hotel. So we sat and watched them putting the balloon up with cocktails as the sun was finally setting. It was a beautiful sunset and I managed to get some great photos of it over the sea.

Dinner was not so good tonight. We didn't like the first restaurant we went to so left and the second was mediocre.

We are leaving at 9am in the morning for a flight back to Yangon so packed before bed. I'm now looking forward to just getting home and seeing my girls.

Day 15 - just chilling

Today was a chill day mostly spent reading and on the beach.

First thing after breakfast - which was amazing with lots of choice - I went for a walk for an hour outside the hotel. The road was a main road though not terribly busy. Lots of bikes, motorcycles and small electronic cart like vehicles that were used as buses. Also a few on the back of motorcycles. There were a few restuarants and little souvenir shops along with local eating/drinking places. Despite the early morning (8am) it was quite warm.

After my walk I stayed in the beach for most of the day.

For lunch I decided to have a fresh pineapple and coconut from the ladies who walk up and down the beach. They were both delicious :-) The lady carries the fruit in a try on her head. She washes the tray and choose the fruit up ready to eat for you and gives it to you in a plastic bag. The coconut she chops the top off  and adds a straw so you can drink it first and then later comes back and cuts out the coconut for you to eat.

I went and had a traditional massage in the afternoon. It was more of a vigorous massage rather than relaxing as it included stretching your legs in various ways. It was good anyhow 😀 I've booked a reflexology for tomorrow.

Cocktails again at 7 and then I joined one of the couples for dinner at a restaurant outside the hotel called 'two brothers'. The food was excellent.

An early night again .......

Day 14 - off to the beach

Another early start to get to the airport for 6:30am. Our guide arranged for the hotel to start breakfast 15 mins early so we could have something before travelling. 

This was the point where the group split into two, those travelling back to Yangon for the trip back home and five of us going to the beach.

We ended up all being delayed as the airport in He Ho which we both had to travel via was in fog so the planes couldn't land. Travelling on our plane was a party of monks. It seemed very odd seeing them at the airport, but I guess they travel too and are up with modern times! 

We eventually left around and hour late. It was another propeller plane and with this trip you had no seats allocated so it was like Ryan air grab a seat.... What was interesting was we stopped for 15 mins at He Ho airport  to let some passengers off and new ones on. Our arrival at Nygapali was lovely and easy as it was a much smaller airport. We got off the plane walked to a small terminal, met the lady from the hotel, went through immigration (not sure why as we flew from within the country), walked outside to pick up our luggage and then had a 15 min drive to the hotel. 

The Amata Spa Hotel is like an oasis 😃 very green, clean and beautiful white sand and clear sea. Our rooms are in like little individual chalets dotted in the gardens. I no longer have a roomie so I am alone. Whilst it is lovely to have such a great room I miss the companionship. The bed was made up with flowers on it, looking beautiful. 

After a shower and a hair wash I put my swimming costume on and headed for the beach. The rest of the afternoon was spent reading in the sun and enjoying the view. I also booked a traditional massage for tomorrow. 

Cocktail hour ( from 5-8!) is a two for one cocktail, so I just had to...... I had a ruby red, vodka, Campari and grapefruit juice - lovely. As I got there just before 6pm and no one else was there I wandered around taking a few photos and stopping in a lovely area near reception to read my kindle for a little. When I returned to the bar the rest of the group were there. I had another cocktail with them and then was happy to join two of them for dinner at the hotel restaurant. I had a spaghetti carbonara followed by ice cream and it was bliss 😃 Thankfully my tummy has settled down since I reduced eating dishes with oil in it.

After dinner I went to bed and snuggled myself under the mosquito net and read some more before settling down for the night. 

Day 13 - balloon ride and Mount Popa

Today is the last day that the whole group is together and that I'll be with my roomie Helen as tomorrow morning the group splits into those who go home and those off to the beach for a few days. I'm off to the beach which I am looking forward to. It will be nice just to chill and do nothing for a couple of days.

This morning I was up at 4:30am to get ready for a dawn balloon ride. We were picked up by an old bus and taken to a field. In the field the balloons were laid out in the dark and we were offered tea and coffee and seats. After introductions and being told which groups we were in we went to the side of our balloon for a safety talk. Our pilot was called Nobby (great name!) and he was from Bath. We then went back to our seats while they raised the balloons up.

Once in the balloon gently lifted up and away :-) We flew over all the temples that we saw yesterday. We watched the sun rising over the temples and the mist around them. It was a wonderful trip.

After a quick breakfast we travelled by coach to Mount Popa a mountain with a temple at the top. We walked the 777 steps to the top. On route were loads of monkeys and when we walked down one grabbed one of our parties hat and glasses. He managed to get his glasses back but the hat is gone for ever..... The monkeys were actually quite scary 😒

Lunch was at the Popa Mountain Resort which was a beautiful hotel with wonderful food. It was one of those places you would love to stay at - very Eco friendly and clean with lovely views. 

Back at the hotel ( where a merry Christmas) sign had appeared at reception!) we popped back to our room and the beds had been covered with beautiful flowers in a pattern and we had a note from the cleaners. We sat around the pool for a bit and at 5pm when Christmas music started with 'We wish you a merry Christmas'. It's very odd when the sun is shining. I have to say it's been odd not being at home during the build up to Christmas.  

Our last meal as a group was in a local restaurant. We were given a complimentary flaming banana with rum for pudding. One of the group made a thank you speech for Sit hu who was our guide and gave him an envelope with a big tip in it from the group. On the way to the restaurant he had suddenly shouted at one of the party to watch out and pushed her. She was just about to step on a small scorpion ! I didn't know they had them here ......

Day 12 - Bagan

A later start of 9am this morning but with a big breakfast of toast and fruit. I've now lost count of the monestries and temples we have visited ! Our first stop was to climb up the side of a temple to see the vast number of stupas and temples that Bagan has. The scenery was lovely. Today the monestries were all quite different to ones we have soon so far, many of them much older and with murals that have been discovered recently. 

After lunch ( which I did not eat as I had tummy problems again this morning) we visited a coup,e more monestries and then got another more comfy horse drawn cart which took us around the stupas and temples. Our driver was happy to chat to us which was nice :-) 

We finished up at a temple and climbed up three floors to settle down for a lovely sunset over the stupas. 

Dinner was at the hotel and I just had an omelette. I hope I am OK in the morning.....

Day 10 - Monks, monestries and the U-Bein bridge

We had a nice late 9am start this morning. Our first stop was to a working Monestry. We were shown around where they make their food and told about how they have donors to pay for their food and time in the Monestry. This was a huge Monestry with over 1000 novices and monks. We watched their ceremony where they carried their pots to get donations. They all lined up in the street around within the Monestry to watch the procession of them all. They were all ages and sizes. We were also told of the youngest novice monks who wore white instead of the burgundy. 

We visited a teak Monestry too with intricate wood carvings. 

Just before lunch we all got onto horse drawn carts (two in each cart) and were ridden around Inwa stopping off in a few places before finally stopping for lunch including the leaning tower. The carts were very bumpy ! 

After lunch we went to Amarapura. Here we visited another Monestry before making our way to U-Bein bridge. A few of us decided to do the boat option which meant we had a boat take us to the central point. Here we got off and walked along so,ex of the bridge. Along the way we met a lady with a basket full of owls. We saw someone else pay her for two owls and we discovered that you can pay to take an owl and release it. Four of us decided to do this. On the way back to the boat we was hundreds of ducks swimming on the lake. It was a right unusual scene ! 

Getting back in the boats our driver took us to a great point in the lake so we could get fab photos of the sun setting. To finish the tour of the day we saw an elephant dancing. No not a real one - two people inside one ! 

As we have an early start next day to travel we decided to have snacks in our room and read, so we popped off to the 'grab and go' to pick up crisps etc.

Snack, read, sleep.......

Day 11 - travelling to Bagan

An early start this morning - 5:45am to get the coach to the ferry. So we were up and packed ready at 5:30am and on the ferry by 6:00am having walked over a wooden plank about a foot wide with a stick being held by two people as a handrail. As we were first on we got the pick of the seats on the upper deck. These were wicker seats with cushions. 

The hotel kindly packed us a breakfast of two boiled eggs, bread, butter and a banana. I'm still suffering with my tummy but managed an egg and the bread. 

The ferry took 11 hours, leaving at 7am. We saw the sun rise and set !!  Most of the day was spent watching the scenery go by, chatting with the others, sleeping and reading my kindle. I chose not to eat the lunch provided on the boat. I am convinced it is the oil in the food when cooked that is causing an issues for me. 

When we arrived it was dark already and there were hundreds of bats flying out of the trees. I've never seen a sight like that ! 

After walking across the plank again we got in the coach and had around a 45 min drive to the hotel. The rooms are very nice and this hotel has a swimming pool. We all went out for dinner to a nearby restaurant. I had grilled chicken and chips. The grilled chicken looked like it had also been fried 😒 

oh dear......

Day 9 - around Mandalay and visiting Mingun

So today we had a lie in as we didnt leave until 9am. Breakfast was in the rooftop restaurant overlooking Mandalay.

Our first visit of the day was to the Kuthodaw Pagoda which holds a series of engraved slabs which is referred to as the worlds biggest book. There are 729 of them. The central stupa was again quite grand.

From here we went to an old Monestry that used to be covered in gold leaf - Shwenandaw Kyaung. It started off as a place for King Mindon to live in but as he died in there the following King didn't want to use it. They they made it into a Monestry. It is no longer used as a Monestry but is under the US heritage. The carved doors and inside were rather pretty.

We had a chance to go and see gold leaf being made which was amazing. They take a gold ribbon and hammer it for a long time until it is very thin. The first hammering made it feel like foil but by the end a small breath and it takes off! We also visited where they were making lacquered items and sewing tapestries. 

Lunch was included in this trip and we had a variety of dishes provided. Again very impressive. Because of my poor tummy, I only had rice and a nibble of a few bits. I think it is the excessive oil in all the dishes that has caused my tummy upset as I eat/use so little oil in my diet normally. I tried the sugar pieces they had which tasted like fudge and also tamarind sweets which were delicious. 

After lunch we got on a boat which was rather different from that in Lake Inle. It was large and moved slower which was very relaxing. This took us to Mingun. As soon as we got off the boat we had a lady attached to each of us trying to sell things like fans, Longyi, jewellery etc. They stuck with us and kept trying to persuade to buy something. This is something I hate and makes me feel uncomfortable. The same lady hassled me on the way back too :-( 

On Mingun we visited three key things, the Mingun Pagoda which was 50m high and would have been 150m high if an earthquake had damaged it mid build. The Mingun bell which is the worlds heaviest functioning bell and the Hsinbyume Paya which was a whitewashed structure that our guide called Burmas Taj Mahal. We were approached by a different set of ladies selling things when we got here ! 

On the way back we passed many places selling Longyi, material, marionettes, fans, jewellery, etc. etc.

Our travel back by boat treated us to a lovely sunset across the water.

Before traveling back to the hotel we took a walk through the fish market and flower market. The fish stank and it was not a pretty sight with dead and gutted fish everywhere plus some dead chickens. The flowers were much more pleasant !

Dinner tonight was in a much posher restaurant and I stuck to grilled chicken. 

A late 9am start again tomorrow for some more adventures in Burma :-) 

Day 8 - the road to Mandalay

We were up early this morning to get the coach leaving at 7:30am Sadly I still have a bit of a jippy tummy so had some more Imodium to cover the long coach journey. 

Our journey started by going down a long winding road as Kalaw was at a high altitude. Some of the bends were pretty hair raising! On route we stopped briefly for a photo opportunity. Once at the bottom and on the main road to Mandalay we had three further stops before reaching our hotel.

The first was to view a huge barge on a lake and take some photos.

The second was at a wedding ! We basically gatecrashed a local wedding. We were welcomed in and they put out tables and chairs for us and immediately put some food and hot tea out for us. Photos were taken of us and a chap was videoing it all. It was as if we were celebrities ! We only stayed for about 15 minutes but they were so welcoming. 

Lastly we stopped for lunch at a roadside cafe aimed at travellers. The toilets were the best we had seen ! I stuck to a plate of noodles as I need to get this tummy sorted.

We finally arrived in Mandalay at around 3:15pm so had been travelling for 7 hours 45 mins. It really didn't seem that long as our guide chatted to us about a number of things as we went along.

We are staying in the Rama Hotel and have a reasonable room and better wifi access.

A group of us went for a walk to look at the castle on an island with a moat around it. Now a military place. We walked for a little while and came across a lot of outside exercise equipment which we had fun having a go on. There were quite a few folk exercising on them. 

For dinner we went to a Thai restaurant recommended to us. I just had an onion omelette in an attempt to sort the tummy out.

Luxury lie in for tomorrow as we don't leave till 9am :-) 

Day 7 - Trekking in the rain

Well here I am sitting IN the bed trying to get warm! 

Today we got up early to make a trek to the local hill villages to see how they live and work. Sadly it was raining quite hard but all but one person chose to go on the trip. My challenge was a had a bad tummy from when I woke up. I was rather annoyed with my body for letting me down but I didn't want to miss the trek. So for the first time in my life I took Imodium. It seemed to do the trick. No breakfast for me!

We walked from around 8am till 2pm with only a stop of about half an hour for some lunch ( which I didn't eat much of). The walk was tough due to the wet, muddy ground and a number of the group fell over. Our trainers were covered with red mud and were soaking by the time we got back. 

On route we saw some lovely scenery but it was hard to take too many photos because of the rain. 

We also saw farmers picking crops and visited a school. There were not many children there as only one of three teachers had ventured up from the main town. It was good to see that Explore! had donated a water collector so they didn't have to go so far to collect water. 

Our next stop was inside someone's house. They were so hospitable making us hot green tea and crisps. We found out that one of the girls was due to marry one of the lads in the week, so our guide gave them 5000 kyats (£5) from us to thank them for having us. I also had two slimming world bars in my rucksack which I gave to the young child. I think they were pleased 😃

We stopped for lunch at another larger house and they laid on a fantastic spread. I managed to eat a little but kept it quite bland. 

Our final stop for the day were some caves that were filled with Buddhas. We had to go in bare feet. I'm not too good in bare feet and I got very cold and they got wet and muddy too.  To prevent taking our mucky shoes into the coach and hotel we popped them in the luggage hold and went back to our hotel bare footed. The hotel were wonderful and took all our trainers and washed them for us. They are very wet now but also very clean. Here's hoping that they dry overnight so I can pack them as we move to a new location. We are taking the road to Mandalay which will be a long coach trip. 

On return to the hotel room the plan was to chill and read. I ended up sleeping for a couple of hours instead. Much needed ! For dinner we went to the Everest restaurant which was recommended. Food was lovely and I had two hot lime juices to try and get warm again! 

Finally we are now in bed for a short read and then sleep ready for our 6am start. 

Day 6 - travelling by train to Kalaw

An early start this morning to get on the coach to travel to the train station. On route we stopped off at a Monestry with round windows which is unusual. We went in and saw the young boys studying as well as their sleeping area. All boys go to the Monestry at least once between ten and 20 years old. They are novices until then and then become Monks at 20. Our guide told us he was a monk for a week and then left. 

We arrived at the train station early and waiting for the train. The were some real cute puppies wandering a round one of which kept coming to us. At the Monestry there was a mother and puppies who were trying to drink milk from her and she didn't want them to. I'm amazed at how many dogs there around the place. Most of them look ok so I think they must get food from somewhere.

Once on the train we were fortunate to go upper class which meant we had a cushion on the seat. There was a rat wandering around our carriage but I didn't see it. The journey was bumpy and at times like a roller coaster !! The scenery was beautiful. We saw all kinds of crops such as yellow and white sesame seeds, tomatoes growing etc. And many people in the fields gathering crops. There were also some lovely orange daisy type flowers called Bermese sunflowers. 

We had a short stop on route at a station where traders were selling snacks such as crisps. And the the train started to move when a number of us were not on so it was a bit Indiana Jones trying to get on the moving train!! We all made it - phew. 

Finally we arrived at the Hill Station and got back on the coach which had travelled from dropping us off at the station with our suitcases. After a 20 min drink we stopped at the seven sisters restaurant for lunch. Once again the food was excellent at a very reasonable price. The waitress was great going around quickly working out what everyone had and how much it cost. We giggled at one person who challenged her and she was right !!!

We are staying at the Dream Hotel in Kalaw. We always get lovely welcomes with towels to wash our hands and a drink. So far we haven't had to move our cases as they have always been carried by the coach helper and the hotel staff. The temperature is much cooler here so I've had to put a cardie on.

After a little break we went for a walk to get some panoramic views.  

 

Dinner was in a restaurant related to the hotel called the Dream restaurant. It was very lovely made from teak. We were lucky we reserved and went in when we did as a French party came in shortly after we ordered our food. The food was a touch more expensive but tasted lovely. It turned out it was someone's birthday in the French group so a cake appeared and then sung happy birthday. We thought that was it but they launched into a sing song. We were contemplating whether we should sing something British but couldn't choose a song so paid and left instead :-)

Early start in the morning for a 5 hour walking trek.

Day 3 - Yangon and travelling to Nyaungshwe (near Lake Inle)

Well I managed to sleep for around 10 hours only waking up to go to the toilet a couple of times. I obviously needed it after the long travel and not much sleep. My head still hurt so I took two pain killers and kept my fingers crossed.

Breakfast was toast and fruit. There were a number of Asian dishes also available but all noodles and meat related. 

Following breakfast we got into a coach with our luggage and firstly went for a walk around the colonial part of Yangon down Pansodan Street. We got to see someone preparing beetle nuts in leaves. At the end of the walk we stopped at the  Strand hotel which was very lush. Then we went to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda. This was amazing - a gold stupa pagoda with a number of other Buddhas, shrines, etc. around it. The guide told us about the tradition in that Buddhism here had an element of astrology thrown in and the day you are born on is significant. Around the pagoda were corners dedicated to each day and folk try to get to this pagoda at least once in their life to 'water' the day they were born on. Each day has an animal associated with it. For me Tuesday it is a lion. There are eight days as Wednesday is divided into two, morning and afternoon. Finally we visited the second largest reclining Buddha in Myanmar. This again was interesting with symbols on the feet? We had a stop for lunch in a traditional Burmese restaurant. I didn't enjoy the food so much.

We left Yangon in the afternoon by propeller plane to travel to He ho airport. Whilst everything is very basic and manual it seemed to be very efficient. It is so nice to have our cases carried for us :-) 

Arriving in He ho we got on a bus and travelled for around 45 mins to our next hotel the Lupin Hotel. We stopped briefly at the train station to enable our guide to get train tickets in a couple of days time. We will be travelling upper class which means we get a cushion ! He told us that apparently the military are using the train at the moment so he wasn't sure if we will be able to get on as planned.....we'll see in a couple of days ! 

Our hotel is lovely with a big room on a corner and has more of a country feel to it than the town one in Yangon. We were treated with a drink and hand wipe. I forgot to mention that when we visited the pagoda and the Buddha yesterday we were given wipes to clean our feet. Additionally because some of use were wearing shorts we were fitted with a Longyi ( a long skirt). They were pretty cool so I think I will buy one. Oh and I bought a hat to wear. It cost me £1.75.....

Wifi is not so good at the hotel so we have to go to reception to get it. 

Our guide took us for a short walk in the town to show us where three good restaurants were. We returned to one of them later on with a few others for another traditional meal. Well - wow - we had so many complimentary dishes. I ordered a chicken and potato curry with rice, that with two drinks of lime and soda cost me 5000 Kyats - approx. £2.50. On top of the food we ordered we got, popcorn, soya beans roasted, pickled chillies ( boy they were hot!), a soup and fruit ( Papya and mandarin) as complimentary. We were stuffed ! 

Off to sleep now to be ready for another busy day tomorrow :-) 

Day 4 - Lake Inle

I had a great night sleep waking initially at 5:15 but then managed to sleep till nearly seven. Helen and I had a great chance then realised we were going to be late for our 8:30am start so had a mad rush to get showered and down for a very quick breakfast. We popped some washing in too. 

At 8:30am we walked down to the Lake and got into three long boats. We had an amazing day returning just after 4pm.

So what did we do ? We travelled for around 45 mins on the lake on the long boat with an on board motor. On route we stopped to watch a demonstration of how the fishermen row with their leg and catch fish. We saw more fishermen in route which was very interesting.

Our first stop was a market. The market sold the usual souvenirs, jewellery etc. The best part was the food they were selling such as a rice cake which were large 30cm rounds and people we're buying 30 at a time, fruit, veg, flowers, salt etc etc. My room mate Helen and I plus another lady on the trip Barbara bought a silk Longyi for 15000 Kyats ( £7.50). 

From the market we went by boat to see the ladies weaving and making the thread to weave out of the lotus stems including putting the thread onto splindles and dying them. This was followed by a trip to the blacksmiths who showed us making a knife. Three men were beating the hot metal in a rhythm whilst another was bellowing the fire to keep it hot. Amazing to think both these hand crafts are still providing work to many people. 

A lovely lunch was had by the river where I had a lovely potato curry but an even more delicious green tomato salad with onions and roasted sesame seeds. Yum ! 

Back on the boats we went to watch ladies making cheroots - again very interesting to see how these were rolled into the cheroot leaves.  On route to this we went through a township on stilts. Amazing to see how they live. 

On the boats once again we went to see the floating gardens. These are where they grow tomatoes on the water in beds created especially for them. A few of our party tried to stand on the floating gardens and found it quite squidgy.

Our last stop f the day before driving back in the boat was to the Jumping Cat Monestry. The first thing you noticed when you went in (after taking your shoes off) was all the kittens running around. And then the various Buddhas.  

After a bit of time to chill we met up with some of the group (9 of us) for a drink and then a lovely meal together in another restaurant. I had a Shan Swe Fire cocktail with rum, red wine and fruit - delicious ! 

My meal and drinks cost 9000 Kyats ( £4.50) and I had two dishes, two drinks and a banana and rum dessert). 

The evening was dusted off with a glass of rum and a chat with 5 of us. Now time to sleep before another busy day on the Lake tomorrow :-)

Day 5 - Inle Lake again

Off we went on the boat again this morning and travelled for about an hour till we got to the Inlay Shwe Inn Tain Pagoda. To get there we had to travel up a creek that included raises in the river bed so it was a little like white water rafting going up these. It was so much fun. 

The Pagoda was huge - it was a complex of stupas both ruins and brand new ones that people now sponsor. Some of those were from Germany and Japan. It was a real contrast. There were many traders around both on their own and along the covered walkway. This was the first place we had to pay to go to the toilet 200 Kyats (10p). 

After visiting the stupas we walked through the bamboo back to our boat for a fun filled return trip along the creek and to visit some more artisans. Firstly the silversmiths, then a parasol maker, a paper maker and lastly we visited the ladies from the tribe who have rings around their neck. 

The parasol making was interesting, a man was making the main centre part by carving it from bamboo and wood for the part that clicks it open and closed - very clever, and a lady was making the top with two layers of paper which she then died and decorated. They were very pretty :-)

The ladies with the rings were grandmother and granddaughter. The rings were very heavy and the older lady had 25 rings. The younger girl had around 12 and said she wasn't going to have any more - the start of the young rebeling against tradition. 

We had a pleasant lunch again as a riverside restaurant. I'm eating far too much and I thought I might lose weight this holiday !!!!!

When we returned after a 45 min boat ride back, we got on a tuk tuk to visit the local winery. The ride was great fun, watching the others on the street and the tuk tuk struggling up the hill with six of us in the back. 

The scenery from the winery was beautiful. The wine tasting cost us 3000 kyats ( £1.50) for a taster of four wines. The wines were ok but not what I would buy. They were clearly a young winery and had more to learn. 

We went back to the same place for dinner and because it was busy split into a girls table and a boys table. It was great fun :-) 

Day 2 - Yangon (Rangoon)

Well we are in the Panda hotel which is very nice. Our room is on the 8th floor. We were welcome with a juice and had a relaxing check in. After a lovely shower we are ready to go for a wander. 

We started off going for a meal to a Shan restaurant. The food was amazing - I had Chicken with chilli. I loved the way the chicken was sliced - made it nice to eat along with a yummy sauce.  Afterwards we went for a walk. Wow it was hot wandering around. We did a circuit around some of the town passing the nursing school and going through a market place. It was fascinating to see the things being sold on the street. 

Sadly I ended up with a headache probably due to tiredness and dehydration. After a brief stop in our room we went for a welcome chat and then to eat together in a Chinese restaurant. I didn't enjoy the food there so much. What was cool though was the Myanmar beer that the others had - the lids have a competition in them to win money. Two of our party won 500 Kyats - around 25p.....

I was glad to get to be bed as the head was thumping. I eventually managed to get to sleep. 

Our party is made up of 13 people plus the guide.......Helen my room mate, Barabra travelling alone, Andrew and Darren, Sarah and Nicholas, Owen and Lorraine, Dudley, Trevor, Morag and David. All very nice folk who all seem to be very well travelled. I am definitely the novice here ! 

Day 1 - travelling

I'm at the airport and have decided to treat myself to some breakfast - a sausage sandwich. I wouldn't normally but not sure how I'm going to find the food in Myanmar so making the most of it :-) also going to take my first malaria tablet - here goes ......

Flight goes at 9:05am, I hope I spot some fellow travellers soon! The airport is very quiet this time in the morning which is rather nice.

Singapore airlines are fantastic ! Great plane, great food, great entertainment system, lovely staff. All fairly relaxed and the 12.5 hours didn't seem that long. I didn't get much sleep so will crash later. After two flights I'm finally in Myanmar and sharing a room with a lady called Helen. 

The adventure begins

Here we go - I'm at the Heathrow Crowne Plaza hotel in a fantastic room ready to start my adventure very early tomorrow morning - up at 4:45, shuttle at 5:30, check in at 6:00 with the flight at 9:05. 

I'm both anxious and excited, hope all goes well at the airport. Time to snuggle down and get a little sleep before I have to get up - eek !!