By the old Moulmein Pagoda, Lookin' eastward to the sea, There's a Burma girl a-settin’, And I know she thinks o’ me " - Rudyard Kipling 1890
Sunday 27 September - Up at 0630 and off to Myanmar continental breakfast - white toast, pancake, tea and juice ! And bananas !
We set off on our tour of southern Myanmar pagodas. Our first stop was xxxxx which was an interesting and sprawling temple. At that point Stuart decided he desperately needed a Myanmar SIM so he could bore us endlessly with the latest tales of Nicola ! Having succeeded in his mission in obtaining a 3G card with an indeterminate number of MB’s (costing a lot).
We then headed to Mawlamyine stopping en route to buy a hats for Joy and Stuart and a traditional Myanmar brush for Eva tastefully finished with coloured plastic strips in the colours of Myanmar.
The road was along country roads - all of which it seemed you had to pay a toll - through the rice paddies, fish farms and chicken farms. On entering the city we crossed Myanmar’s longest bridge over the River Thanlwin - a total of 11,000 feet.
Given the choice of a quick pagoda visit or lunch Joy opted for lunch ! More vegetables and rice with some noodles, not to mention a couple of Leo beers all of which was excellent. Joy sampled the toilets and found a western style loo !
After a photo shoot by the river and some snack purchases we headed up the hill to the next pagoda. It was the teak monastery made famous by Mr Kipling and originally was the Queens Royal Palace. Unfortunately it was in need of serious renovation but the view over the town and the river was stupendous - including the British era prison !
Not to be viewed as discriminatory we headed the Holy Family Catholic Church and the Anglican St Mathews Church - all dating from the colonial period but all needing so TLC.
Heading out of town by the scenic route - we think to the NE - we set off towards Hpa’an. But Pete the guide suggested a slight detour to visit another teak pagoda ! We agreed and set off down a side road through the paddy fields. We were not disappointed as it had been founded by a teak trader who had buddhas carved from a single sold teak tree. Mind you the WW2 bomb in the grounds was an interesting addition !
During the final miles to the hotel Pete took us through the next days itinerary which was to begin with a 750 meter climb up the mountain requiring a 0600 start. He added that as he was not a “hiker’ we were on our own - given his only footwear is flip flops who could blame him. Joy pondered for moment and declared ‘oh no not for me’.
The alternative plan was pot holing, canoeing and bathing in a hot spring - this sounded vaguely less energetic so we plumped for that - after our our suggestion to go shopping instead fell on deaf ears ! An 0800 start was agreed.
Our home for two nights was the Hpa-an Lodge resort which consists a serious of upmarket chalets with views of the mountains. It comes with ducks, geese and an infinity pool.
We set off on our tour of southern Myanmar pagodas. Our first stop was xxxxx which was an interesting and sprawling temple. At that point Stuart decided he desperately needed a Myanmar SIM so he could bore us endlessly with the latest tales of Nicola ! Having succeeded in his mission in obtaining a 3G card with an indeterminate number of MB’s (costing a lot).
We then headed to Mawlamyine stopping en route to buy a hats for Joy and Stuart and a traditional Myanmar brush for Eva tastefully finished with coloured plastic strips in the colours of Myanmar.
The road was along country roads - all of which it seemed you had to pay a toll - through the rice paddies, fish farms and chicken farms. On entering the city we crossed Myanmar’s longest bridge over the River Thanlwin - a total of 11,000 feet.
Given the choice of a quick pagoda visit or lunch Joy opted for lunch ! More vegetables and rice with some noodles, not to mention a couple of Leo beers all of which was excellent. Joy sampled the toilets and found a western style loo !
After a photo shoot by the river and some snack purchases we headed up the hill to the next pagoda. It was the teak monastery made famous by Mr Kipling and originally was the Queens Royal Palace. Unfortunately it was in need of serious renovation but the view over the town and the river was stupendous - including the British era prison !
Not to be viewed as discriminatory we headed the Holy Family Catholic Church and the Anglican St Mathews Church - all dating from the colonial period but all needing so TLC.
Heading out of town by the scenic route - we think to the NE - we set off towards Hpa’an. But Pete the guide suggested a slight detour to visit another teak pagoda ! We agreed and set off down a side road through the paddy fields. We were not disappointed as it had been founded by a teak trader who had buddhas carved from a single sold teak tree. Mind you the WW2 bomb in the grounds was an interesting addition !
During the final miles to the hotel Pete took us through the next days itinerary which was to begin with a 750 meter climb up the mountain requiring a 0600 start. He added that as he was not a “hiker’ we were on our own - given his only footwear is flip flops who could blame him. Joy pondered for moment and declared ‘oh no not for me’.
The alternative plan was pot holing, canoeing and bathing in a hot spring - this sounded vaguely less energetic so we plumped for that - after our our suggestion to go shopping instead fell on deaf ears ! An 0800 start was agreed.
Our home for two nights was the Hpa-an Lodge resort which consists a serious of upmarket chalets with views of the mountains. It comes with ducks, geese and an infinity pool.