Most buses here seem to go at night and drop you in town at 4 in the morning. I finally got a day bus from Kalaw to BAGAN. Some backpackers prefer the night bus, they think it’s a free nights accommodation. I prefer to go during the day so I can see the landscape and see how people live.
I mentioned in the last blog about the signs of DEFORESTATION that you see everywhere. Myanmar has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. Most illegally logged trees are exported to China. Joe told me during the bike tour that a general was behind the pine tree cutting around Kalaw.
The daylight bus ride reminds how much better bike touring is versus riding a bus. That being said, we traveled for nearly 2 miles past a teak log stockpile.
THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY PICTURES I TOOK WHILE RIDING THE BUS.
I had a hotel in Bago, on a very busy street, I was out late one night and while walking home, quite a few log trucks passed by, I never saw one during the day.
The bus stopped for lunch and a bathroom break,
THIS MAKES ME FEEL A LITTLE ELITIST
It’s hard to take the “perfect” photo from a moving bus,
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION OF THE FUTURE?
The infrastructure here is a mess, a section of this road was missing.
THERE WERE 6 WOMEN WITH RAKES ACTIVELY KEEPING THE ROAD SMOOTH, UNTIL IT’S REPAVED
The bus finally arrives in Bagan, into the waiting arms of the tourist police, another $15 to enter the town.
I sent my nice watch home with Natasa and bought one for $3.50. You get what you pay for, the band broke within 4 days.
I GOT THIS GUY AT THE MARKET TO SEW THE BAND (notice his 6th little thumb?)
They rent bicycles and electric scooters here. I love to bike, but trying to visit the 2200 PAGODAS by bike through the sand is difficult.
THE ELECTRIC SCOOTER WAS REALLY FUN AND ONLY $7 A DAY
I kept seeing this advertisment,
WHITE BEAUTY?!
The photo images here are numerous, (things you don’t see at home)
I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE “CELEBRATION” WAS ABOUT?
At one of the Pagodas there was this bus load of students
I DON’T THINK THIS TRANSPORTATION “OPTION” ON A SCHOOL FIELD TRIP WOULD WORK IN AMERICA
Bagan is home to Myanmar’s LACQUERWARE
The problem with extended travel is the ability to buy souvenirs, how to carry them? I use to own a craft business, so I always appreciate handmade products.
I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MUCH WORK WENT INTO JUST ONE LITTLE BOWL
I love women
ESPECIALLY A TRUCK LOAD OF POLICE-WOMEN!
I have to take night bus to the beach (no day bus), 10 hours. The late night restaurant stop offers more than rice,
FRESHLY ROASTED PEANUTS FROM A BICYCLE
The bus stop restaurants offer buffet style food, that’s already cooked and ready to go.
I JUST HAPPEN TO WALK OUT BACK AND SEE THE “KITCHEN” A BLAZE WITH WOOD STOVES
MYANMAR PHOTOS
THANKS FOR READING
JEFF
NEXT? POOLSIDE AND BEDSIDE AT NGWE SAUNG BEACH
Are you coming back or not?
I’m leaving for Cambodia tomorrow for 2-3 weeks. Then Slovenia and well it depends on what happens back in Portland? So I don’t have an answer, I guess?
But thanks for thinking about me 😉
In China the perfect white skin is the color of an eggshell. It’s the standard all glamorous women are trying for. All over Asia they are making tons of money selling whitening products. I don’t mind sunscreen, but blasting off your natural color seems a little dangerous. Have fun seeing more temples and pagodas in Cambodia! Looking forward to seim reep photos.