Thiri Myaing Hotel Mandalay

... an old house from British times that was run by a really nice family. Apart from eating and relaxing the only thing we did for the rest of the day was take a look up Mandalay Hill that night and avoid the $10 Ticket!<br><br>The views from up top were stunning as was the chance to speak to 3 or 4 monks and a crazy post card selling girl that followed us all the way to the bottom of the hill.<br><br><br>

... and unmovable narrow metal arm rests. The driver cheerily welcomes us aboard, carefully stows our havers behind his seat, shoves into gear and pulls off. Three more lads jump on through the open door as we trundle out of the station and turn for Bagan. It's an amusing start to what turns out to be an unforgettable trip. <br><br>At 1amish we stop and, predictably, have tea in a middle-of-nowhere packed roadside teashop. The rural place is ...

... I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!! To have been on the bus with locals, doing "local" things, it was way too cool. Nothing was what I expected,and that's the way I wanted it. Predictability gets old. Getting to see all the scenery of farms, industrial plants (there were maybe two), houses, people, how they interact and solve problems. I definitely think civilization cannot be measured simply by GDP. We arrived in Mandalay on time (6 AM).

... we climbed Sagaing Hill for a view of over 500 stupas, the river and Mandalay (too overcast to see Mandalay). Bill was a bit winded on this climb and we made several stops on the way up. At one point we spoke with a young monk, who spoke English very well. My calves were screaming a bit from our climb yesterday, so I was more than happy to take some breaks too. <br><br>Our next stop in Sagaing was the silver making shop. There are two methods for making silver pots. If you ...

... by the taxi driver said it wasn't far and they would check out tickets. (The USD10 ones that we hadn't bought yet). So we took the stairs. Then it was back to the hotel, to watch the sun set and have a beer. Dinner tonight was a BBB. I had a really bad boneless chicken (stuffed), but CD's spaghetti bolognaise was good. Then a few more beers, before bed.

... cater for the tall European. It is not possible to get comfortable enough to sleep, although all the locals manage it within 5 minutes. This is annoying, but I have my iPod fully charged and I am able to entertain myself until I am so exhausted, it doesn't matter how uncomfortable I am, is fall asleep. As usual, just as I fall asleep, the bus stops, the lights go on, and everyone files out for food and to use the toilet. Perfect.

... his services to get over to Mandalay Hill the next day. The associates that he used to drive the rest of us had no English skills. My guess is that they paid him in order to get us as customers. Our first night, we are approached by Guilin, a local driver. We talk with him, walk with him. We go track down some Chinese food and we offer for him to sit with us. We even buy him a couple of beers. At this he was greatly ...

... king ordered them to be punished. On hearing they had been accidentally killed during their punishment the King was remorseful and built a Nat shrine next to the Taungbyone Pagoda honoring the brothers. It is believed the brothers were reborn as Nat's. In Burmese culture it is considered the brothers can protect from danger and also bring prosperity and good luck so the Taungbyon Festival is related to offering thanks to the brothers for a successful year and bringing luck for the coming ...

I recall that Dan &amp; Carolann learned to avoid evening arrivals in strange places without reservations. Tonight I was to learn why. The trusty Lonely Planet Guide gave us a short list of preferred lodgings and we were dropped off at our top pick sometime after 8 pm. It was full. Runners-up were a few blocks away, but Mandalay suffers chronic electrical blackouts which, coupled with the crowds, traffic and pavement ranging from poor ...

Well before dawn on Saturday morning we settled our accounts and had our last ride with Thi Ha to the ferry. You'll note I did not say "ferry dock" as there isn't one despite the daily service which has existed for years. I suspect this is due to the significant annual flooding of the Irrawaddy River. Laden with luggage, we scamble down a steep and significant bank in darkness and navigate an inclined ten inch wide plank ...