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With a half a day to kill, the thought of finishing my Burmese adventure early wasn't a pleasant one and the temptation of just one more outward bound excursion was too great. I persuaded myself I shouldn't leave Myanmar without visiting the capital, Naypyitaw. In all fairness, its sort of on the way back to Yangon.
When I booked my bus ticket, I remember thinking this could either work really well or it could all go horribly wrong. Sitting in a pitch black bus station at 3am, with barely anyone around; let alone anyone that spoke English, I did think I may have overcooked it this time. Fully ladened, I left the bus station and walked a short distance in a direction that I thought was vaguely towards the city centre. Probably less than half a mile down the road, when I really started to question my decision making, I found a hotel and a security guard asleep outside. He couldn't speak English but luckily understood the game of charades we played outside and he was kind enough to let me sleep behind reception until sunrise. I think the extra couple of hours in the hotel foyer did me some good and by the time the sun had risen, I was ready to attack the day. Although at the time, it was quite daunting realising I supposed to fly out of Yangon in about 30 hours time and it was only three days until I was due to fly out of Bangkok, with a lot of miles to do before then. Nonetheless, I was ready to attack the day!
I had heard and read a lot about this city before I arrived but it was only in the light of day that all the stories began to run true. The city, which is just over a decade old, has very much a 'the lights are on but nobody's home' feel to it. Somewhere between Chernobyl and a past dictators poster town. The city's sights, and not to mention the 20 lane highways, are eerily quiet. Occasionally a truck, filled with an army of gardeners who maintain the already immaculate landscape, whizzes past. Other than the gardeners and a few policemen, people are seldom seen. A day or two could spent spent visiting the Gem Museum, the National Museum, the National Fountain Gardens or the Jade Garden, to name but a few. I'm sure the curators of these places would even turn the lights on for undoubtably, the days' if not weeks', first visitor.
I've heard plenty of stories about the corruption within the current government but nothing put it into perspective quite like this city. Walking around it, it was hard to believe I was in one of the poorest countries in the world.
When I eventually found a bus to Yangon, I can't say I was too sad about leaving Nypaytiaw. Although it won't be missed, it certainly won't be forgotten.
But back to my final min-ga-la-ba (hello) from Burma...
What a country and what a way to finish my trip. Burma has been a real eye opener. The people have helped to make it such a memorable trip, they are so friendly and always so keen to help. They are amongst some of the kindest I've met.
Maybe I'm slightly bias with the distinct British influence but Burma has a past like no other, steeped in history covering thousands of years. Culturally, Burma is incredibly rich. Only recently I found out the difference between Burma and Myanmar. The Burmese, is the largest but just one of thirty-seven different races within the Republic of Myanmar. Despite the differences, for example each speaking their own language, everyone is too nice, too laid back to mind it being called Burma or Myanmar.
The food has been great (the blame for my ever expanding waistline), the scenery is breathtaking and they always drink their beers with a chaser. Could I ask for more?
I wasn't sure if it's come across in my writing but I've rather liked Burma. Dare I say it, the no.1 of the trip. To be fair, excluding Nypaytiaw, there hasn't been a place I have disliked in SE Asia but if I was going to come back to one, somewhere in Burma would be first on the list. I wouldn't be able to recommend this country any higher.
After such a memorable two and a bit weeks here, I'm half dreading the chaos awaiting me in Bangkok. I've planned to meet up with George, it will be the last time I see him for two months before he jets off to New Zealand, lucky ..... . Bring on the ping pong!
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Katy I think you could make travel blogging a FT job, great effort. Safe journey x x x