Yangon

Mingalabar from Yangon!

Just back from a day exploring Yangon - the former capital (previously known as Rangoon)

The day started with a visit to the reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda - the third largest in Myanmar.  Pretty spectacular, and an interesting history.

Then it was on to the Royal Lake and Kandawgyi National Park, which is home to (inter alia) a replica of the former Royal Barge, where we *almost* gatecrashed a local wedding (approximately 10,000 guests - makes 70 look like a tea party!)  Again, pretty spectacular:

Then we took a drive downtown to see the old part of the city, with its colonial style buildings, various Courts (from the outside only I hasten to add!), independence monument, former Secretariat General (where Aung San and his cabinet were assassinated) - and the Piccadilly Circus of Yangon!

(Sule Pagoda - Yangon was built on a grid system around it)

Then we headed to the 20th floor of the Sakura tower for a birds eye view of the city!

After lunch, we took a drive through the Golden Valley (some very nice houses!), past the Martyrs Mausoleum and then on to the Shewedagon Pagoda.  Again, pretty incredible!!

Now back at the Governor's Residence for a cup of tea before planning this evening's activities.  An early night, perhaps, as a very early flight tomorrow morning!....

Ko-Samet to Yangon

Apologies for radio silence over the last few days: basically, spent chilling by the pool, enjoying the Thai sunshine, with relatively little to report!

There were, of course, the regular (and now clearly obligatory) sundowners  - at the Sunset Bar

And last night (Sunday)  another trip into town, where we joined the backpacker brigade with dinner on the beach, and even a fireshow!

And then, this morning, the heavens *really* opened - just in time for our speedboat ride back to the mainland (so bad, driver even had to stop boat and open the plastic covering at the front of the boat to try to (a) work out where he was and (b) see where he was going) to transit back to Don Meaung for our next destination - Yangon!

 After a bit of a bumpy flight, we landed safely in Myanmar, and set our watches back half an hour.  Having successfully navigated immigration and customs, we met up with our guide for the next few days for a short transfer to our next abode: The Governor's Residence.  Another amazing place (although viewed only briefly in the dark!)  Anthea & Lawrence: we assume we have you to thank for the additional décor in the room?!!!

After a Burmese Curry buffet (much enjoyed!) time for a nightcap in the Kipling Bar and then bed: a busy schedule awaits!

From North to South...

Monday saw us once again packing up and heading off on our travels - but not before one last bath (well, technically, the elephant's bath, but somehow sure J ended up as wet as the - extremely muddy! - elephant) and breakfast with the elephants. 

After a quick hop from Chaing Rai back to Don Meang:

before a long drive south to Ko-Samet Island - reached via speedboat (the transfer by boat to hotel is beginning to become a bit of a theme - an excellent one, I might add!)  Arriving on the beach around 8pm, we had an idea of the beauty of the place, but we did not see it in its full glory until the next morning;

After a day spent chilling by the pool (well, between pool and beach) and the obligatory sundowners on the west side of the resort (resort is located at very bottom of island so has both east and west coast frontages) we headed into the main town for dinner.  Quite an experience!  Road is very much under construction, so a bit of an offroading adventure to get to (and from) town.  No photos: too busy hanging on for dear life in back of the pick-up truck taxi!

Today (Weds) another day chilling by the pool, and taking a dip in the crystal clear waters - beautifully warm as well as brilliantly clear!  Evening plans - and indeed for next couple of days here - underdetermined.  Sure to involve sun, sea and sundowners though....

The Golden Triangle

Sunday morning saw us once more ensconsed in the longtail boat, this time making our way down the river to the Golden Triangle.  Sitting in the middle of the Mekong River between the Thai/Laos, Thai/Myanmar and Laos/Myanmar borders was a pretty amazing experience!

We then took a local taxi...

Up to a viewpoint (complete with ruined temple) for a clearer view of the Golden Triangle

(Complete with obligatory photo by sign)

Then it was down to Chaing Sen (the capital of the Lanna Kingdom prior to Chaing Rai) for a wander around the local Sunday market (some interesting delicacies on sale - bamboo worm anyone?) before taking a tuk tuk:

 to Wat Phra That Chedi Luang - the Buddha and Pagoda have stood here since the 1200s and were reclaimed by the jungle after the town was deserted when the capital moved in the 1300s.

Then it was back to camp for lunch and, in the afternoon, a relaxing afternoon at the Spa.

Come the evening, it was time for a daily constitutional to the Burma Bar, and this time, the weather behaved magnificently - glorious clear skies, and a beautiful sunset:

And after another amazing dinner, we finished the evening with a wine and cheese tasting in the wine cellar.

Cheers!

Of Elephants and Opium

Saturday was, essentially, one great elephant extravaganza.

It started with a Dad and teenager joining us for breakfast:

And then it was on to the Elephant Camp for our Mahout training.  Meet Tongkum and Bhuma!

Having learnt (I will not say "mastered" some basic commands- "Pai" (forward) "Ben" (turn) "How" (stop) and "Soak" (backwards)) it was off for a trek up to Camp Peak.  A truly amazing experience - particularly noting how carefully they chose their footing (it was a wee bit muddy after all the rain!) and determination when they found a particularly juicy looking patch of foliage (specifically bamboo) to have a munch, despite the Mahouts' best endeavours!  Some truly spectacular views down to the delta and across to the rolling hills of Burma also! Apologies for the number of photos that follow - although this is only a small selection!

Once back at camp, it was time to head down to the Elephant Pond to give the elephants their well deserved bath  (Angus was such a master Mahout by this point that his Mahout had jumped off and just left him to it!)

Rather sweetly, Tongkum decided to reciprocate.  Several times....

Then it was back to the Burma Bar to bid farewell to our new friends

After lunch,  we took the boat back to the Four Seasons pier for a trip to the Hall of Opium Museum. Really interesting oversight of the history of the opium trade, problems it caused for the Golden Triangle, and the efforts by the Royal Family to drive the opium trade out of Thailand.

We were also really lucky in the weather for our boat ride to and from the camp: glorious sunshine!

 (View of the camp from the Four Seasons pier)

 (Approaching camp)

(Our tent)

After a quick shower and relax, it was time to head to the Burma Bar for the now seemingly obligatory sundowners.  Just as we left our tent, the heavens opened!  A mildly damp dash to the Bar later, the downpour that followed meant we had the place to ourselves for not only sunset (a bit washed out at first - but then a little break in the heavens!) but pretty much the next hour!

After another excellent dinner, and with the physical exertions of the morning making themselves known, it was time to head back to the tent, with all zips fastened and ensconsed in mosquito net, to be lulled to sleep by the cicadas, rain, and occasional call from an apparently monkey-imitating bird.