I have wifi again!!! It was difficult to load even one page in Hsipaw. Now, I am able to update. This might feel like toooo much but, I’m taking advantage of the opportunity. Here’s what will follow:
*Photo’s from the hiking day in Hsipaw to the waterfalls.
*Photo’s taken on my Hsipaw cycling day.
*Today, visiting the “5-day market”, massage and such.
In contrast to the trip to Hsipaw where driver was so late, my driver actually arrived ahead of the expected time! I left Hsipaw around 10:20 and arrived here in the area of Lake Inle 8 hours after scheduled departure, just like advertised.
Some travelers balk at the extra cost of taking a private shared van. The bus cost $7,500, the shared van $17,500- $22,000. Converted, that’s $4.95 for the unpredictable, uncomfortable and really long day or night on the bus.
Or, an extravagant $11.50-$14.50 for the shared van which is fast, reliable, comfortable and makes frequent bathroom stops. I settled on the van with tickets for $13.20.
When the van arrived early, door open waiting for me, I noticed all passengers were from Myanmar! Our final stop out of town, we picked up two additional tourist who are American.
They are only the second and third Americans I met here in t his country. Guess where they are from? South of Fort Collins! Neighbors!
Feeling of travel here?
My friends Mei and Simon rave about their experience here and look forward to coming back. I venture to say this country has changed significantly, if not dramatically, since they were here four years ago. Everywhere I have gone, there are signs of construction. A major new road is going in between Mandalay and the Hsipaw area and there was road work to expand and widen the road on the way here. When that happens, the next level of tourism explosion will hit!
Cinder block and concrete two story buildings are rapidly replacing the traditional bamboo or wood structures. New cars, multiple types of private shared taxi’s and vans and seeing farmers working crops with tractors and weed eaters next to someone working with buffalo and plow. Changes are happening quickly.
That said, I’m loving the rural experiences here once I got out of the cities of Mandalay and Yangon. Pace of live is slower! Things are gentle. People are friendly and curious. Lovely!
Hiking Day…
I got a late start with borrowed rain jacket. Rain drizzled continuously the day before and it looked like it might do so again. Directions were simple but the roads didn’t cooperate. Feeling lost, I stopped with a group of children. They giggled and stared and kept saying “hello”. When I pulled out my map, they looked nervous and uncertain. Pointing to the name of the waterfall, one older boy (probably 8), pointed to the next street ahead on the left. Then, he made a sweeping turn gesture and smiled. I got it! They all giggled, and off I went.
That sort of thing happened continuously. A farmer in his field, a man working the cemetery, another at the trash dump and so forth. Off on a side track, I got some good photo’s of a small farm but turned back as I could see the waterfall in the distance.
Here are views from the day. Please ask if you have any questions on the photo’s!
And the, the weather cleared and I headed off on a bike! I left just as a procession through town was taking place honoring new monks. Some good photo’s of this celebration.
Turning around and heading the other direction, the maps were unclear and I missed a turn. Paths show as streets which I simply didn’t see!
No worries! Signs helped! It was closer than I thought requiring a quick left turn up a hill! I passed “Mrs. Popcorn’s Garden” on the way up to see Little Bagan. A huge ceremony was taking place for the new monks and I had a great experience exploring the area. Awesome!
New Monk procession:
On the way back, I approached Mrs. Popcorn’s Garden and decided to stop for a lime juice. The snitzel on the menu sidetracked me. Excellent side track! Talk about something different from rice and noodles!!!
I rode along the river after that past old Shan villages. What a simple lifestyle! Gorgeous along the river and in the shade of old trees.
Tomorrow, I’m leaving at 5:30 am for the lake trip and return at 4:30, just in time for an evening Burmese massage!