TSH's story

First it was a visit to a vibrant market where fresh produce was on sale as well as dried fish and household products. This visit was only possible after traveling for ten minutes in a cart that the farmers use to take produce to market in. The warning that the horses may bite or kick was not encouraging.

Next it was off to the Kyeik Khauk Pagoda where shoes and socks had to be removed and the Pagoda visited by means of a small lift. The Pagoda complex was very interesting but the wet floor where it was being cleaned was very slippery to walk on. Then there was the joy of putting damp socks (it was a very hot morning) back on to dirty feet before re-boarding the coach to visit another temple.

As the name Kyaikhmaw Wun Island Pagoda indicated, the next temple was on an island which was reached by a small ferry boat which meant that the party required the ferry to make two crossings. On this occasion shoes and socks were removed on the ferry where they were looked after until reclaimed. This was an interesting little temple but TSH suspects that if it was not on an island there would be far fewer visitors. Mats had been spread throughout the complex to walk on but these were rather hurtful to the feet. Walking on the marble floor proved difficult also as it was exceedingly hot. On the return ferry crossing even dirtier feet were reunited with shoes and socks.

On an earlier outing Diva and TSH had encountered a political rally for the largest opposition group but today it was the ruling party who were out in force. Force perhaps being the appropriate term as this party is supported by the military.

The outing was completed with a visit to a village which TSH believed had been specially selected as it had a paved road and many of the dwellings were new and the inhabitants were keen to talk to visiting tourists.

Then it was back to the sanctuary of the ship – shower and complete change of clothes – lunch.

TSH had had a good morning.