Bye bye Burma

Bagan, is a dusty bohemian like place in the North-West of Burma. While I was there it was very warm (30 degrees) which means you get up early to explore the thousands of temples and stupas till midday, then hide in the shade or indoors and start exploring more temples from 4pm onwards. As true Dutchies we were pleased that the suggested transportation for the tourist are bikes. You rent one for the duration of your stay and peddle around Bagan to see all these beautiful temples.  We did this for two days with sunsets, sunrises and finding out the best places / temples to see she sun come up or go down.

As I’ve mentioned before the bikes are a great way to explore the area only the bikes were fitted for Myanmar size people so my travel companion who’s nearer to 2 metres was spotted many times on his bike with his knees nearly hitting the steering wheel. On the Sunday after our attempt to see the sunrise and started another round of Temple visiting we were the focus point for a large group of school kids. As it was Sunday they were on a school trip and were more intrigued by Dutch Brangelina then Buddha so at some point we had to pose for many pictures with the kids in front of the temple. They left in their busses but during the rest of the day we were cheered or waved by them while cycling through Bagan.

Business class night bus to Yangon

To travel to my next destination Thailand I had a 24 hrs bus-plane-plane itinerary planned which started on a Wednesday evening at 8pm.  I’ve booked a motorbike who would take me plus my backpack to the bus station. I was told this would be a 30 min drive and no problem for the motorbike and the driver. However at 7.55pm there was no motorbike in front of my hotel….. (my friend Natalie would raise her eyebrow now as I didn’t confirm this with the guy or even had his name or number). People said not to worry as the driver would show up but I wasn’t convinced anymore as it was also the Full Moon festival which means people have a reason to get drunk from early afternoon… So I asked another motorbike waiting outside if he could take me and he said OF COURSE! He tried to get my backpack on the bike and had to admit that this wasn’t going to work.  I could hit myself not being organized for having booked a taxi instead of a motorbike.  My travel companion saw the desperation in my eyes and went inside into the hotel and returned with 3 people who said that they’ve called someone to take me to the bus station….. This other person was a 14 year old boy with his little scooter. The staff were shouting and pointing out to him that my bus was leaving at 9pm so that there was some pressure for him to get me there.

After a daredevil half an hour drive on this little scooter with my backpack and the two of us we arrived at a very busy place which was the bus station! I can’t believe that the boy drove the scooter with my backpack between his legs and constantly checking his phone and making small talk with me (“how old are you”, How long have you been in Myanmar?) while navigating through the busy night traffic. Another story for the books and a big thank you to Saint Christopher again.

So back to the busy ‘bus station’ which was a very dusty sand pit with many little outdoor tea rooms, people trying to sell their produce and of course many busses. First I thought we were at the wrong place so I was asking the boy with desperation if we were at the correct place. He said: don’t worry Miss, just wait here! In the end he was trying to find out where my bus was so he could drop me off in front of it. And so he did and I thanked him with a very big tip and said to spend it on fireworks for the festival tonight!

After this hectic trip I entered my bus and to my surprise this was nothing like my other bus journeys. Apparently I was booked on the GI Capital business class bus (for a very economy price) so a leather window seat was waiting for me with a cushion, blanket, water and bus hostess.  This was a pleasant surprise and well needed after the start of this trip. The bus had silk looking curtains draped in front of the windows and not one but three tv screens with some award ceremony showing till midnight. The bus hostess had a welcome/health and safety talk (well at least that’s what I assumed as it was in Burmese) and they handed out tea and snacks before we left.  There was one service station break and tooth brushes and flannels were handed out when leaving the bus so I assumed they wanted us back washed and fresh for the rest of the night!

At these services stations people have little stands with drinks and snacks like roasted peanuts or have on the back of their bike a little bbq to roast some corn. They live in their little bamboo huts there too as the busses keep on coming during the night and they don’t want to lose out of business.

I did manage to get some sleep in my comfortable seat to arrive at Yangon bus station at 6.30am. A taxi driver took me to the airport via Lucky Seven which is a place to eat as he assumed that I hadn’t had breakfast yet! That’s what I mean with Myanmar people they are friendly and thoughtful so you hardly have to ask for something as they already spotted what you need.

The business class bus

My seat

Bus hostess

Bye bye Burma / Myanmar

After exactly 3 weeks I’ve left the UK to start my trip I’m saying goodbye to my first destination on this long trip, Myanmar which now will continue in tourist terms as Burma, has been a great host to me and in the end a good to choice to start.

The country but mostly the people are very pleased that the country opened its borders so they can show the rest of the word what a beautiful country they been keeping  a secret to us.  But luckily not anymore and boy are they pleased so show us around and make us feel welcome in their country.  The people made the trip for me a success as they are so welcoming, friendly, open minded, inquisitive, keen to learn, positive and beautiful from the inside and outside.  I’ve been invited into their houses, temples, pagoda’s, restaurants, lives and it never seemed an effort for them to help me in finding my way around in their country or city.

However, they have a lot to learn to deal with tourist and build their infrastructure for all these many who like to follow my footsteps. I’ve seen potential but I’m also afraid that it can go a direction that I prefer this country won’t take. There are too many countries knocking on their doors and willing to invest so I do hope that the government takes the correct steps and accepts the needed advice to make this country a top destination and not a tourist attraction.

I’m looking forward to follow the progression and maybe will visit again and see the places which weren’t available for me yet or to the spots I’ve missed.

I warmly can recommend Burma but suggest you visit it sooner than later……

Thwà- me- naw from Burma

Sunset at the Shwesandaw Paya