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We're just past the small village of Myitnaban, about 20 miles from our destination for the evening of Shwebo, when Connor's motorbike gets a flat tire. Stranded and alone in a foreign country ? Well, no, but it sounds more interesting. We all pull over, regroup, and Sam takes the injured motorbike back to Myitnaban to find a repair shop. In the meanwhile, the 3 of us are roadside, hanging out under a tree away from the sun as much as possible. Trucks and motorcycles race by, here and there, beeping at the foreigners stranded on the side of the road. I figured it would be an opportune time to take the classic picture of Connor hitchhiking in Myanmar, now that he's without a motorcycle. 40 minutes later, Sam returned with a repaired tire, as the tube turns out to have been completely sliced and not just a puncture. Must have been during the rough bridge crossings in the last hour, with metal strips and uneven boards that we had to cross multiple times. Oh well, just part of the adventure, and onwards toward Shwebo.
But before all this, we began our day at the hotel in Monywa, with multiple power outages and a mediocre breakfast. Our first stop of the day was Thanboddhay Paya, an amazing Buddhist sacred temple site that has the unique feature of having over 500,000 Buddha statues/figurines in the temple. Some of the Buddhas are very large, some medium, and some are just inches tall. All sizes, and literally spread out everywhere ! We each got lost a couple times, as it all looks like the same rooms with small variations, and almost like a magic mirror that continues indefinitely. It's truly a magnificent temple to visit, and I believe you'll enjoy the photos in the album attached.
The other main feature in Monywa is Bodhi Tataung, these 2 (soon to be 3) monstrous sized Buddhas at the top of the plateau, looking over the city. One is standing 31 stories tall, and the other is laying down. A 3rd structure is being built now, with cranes in place, and the photo album has a picture of this. These were designed by a Buddhist monk who died before the completion, but the architecture and planning were set in place to fulfill his dream and design.
Connor and Haley decided to make the hike up to the top of the Bodhi Tataung, at 27 floors of stairs (the shoulder and head are sacred, so nobody is allowed to those levels -- 27th floor is the highest ). With the baking heat at the time, I made the more prudent choice to view everything from ground level and the exterior, and take many photos - and leave the 27 floor hike to them to experience at its fullest. And so they did, and they were successful in making it to the top. Unfortunately there aren't any dramatic stories that come with this "Stairmaster extravaganza", just the hot and stuffy stairwell up for 27 floors. I'm just so disappointed I wasn't able to go along for this journey. . . .
It's been some great weather, albeit hot hot hot, but no rain and no crazy humidity levels. Partly cloudy skies today and lots of great views and photo opportunities. The views of Bodhi Tataung were spectacular, and after conquering, it was time to head out toward Shwebo.
We broke the 3 hour ride into a couple breaks -- one break to move around a little bit and get the rump off the motorcycle seat, and cool off with a refreshment. Sam always asks politely what we want to drink. Dripping in sweat, taking off the helmet, my response each day has been "BEER" ! Well, Sam, you asked, and it's hot, I'm parched, dripping sweat, and a beer sounds absolutely delicious right now. Plus it would be a cultural experience to taste the local brew, right ? But he is watching out for us and doing what's right, and no beer for me until the end of each day at our destination, then no problem, drink what I want. Ok, ok, ok, but he still asks, and I still answer the same. Can't help it.
For lunch stop today we ended up at a place called "Pentagon", in Burmese of course. Not sure why the name, but interesting. And the fried noodles & vegetables dish had enough oil that I was able to service my motorcycle, so it's all covered for 3,000 more miles.
After the flat tire setback, we made it into Shwebo and to our hotel for the evening. We had a nice evening of dinner and drinks, the 3 of us and Sam all together. We've definitely moved down in stars for this hotel, but this is about the best you're going to get in these parts of the country -- not too many choices, and this is an improvement compared to when Bobby and I stayed in Shwebo 3 years ago (I gave it a 1/2 star rating then). This one does have A/C, so immediately we're improved without a doubt, and we're grateful for that. Pretty funny when Connor and Haley found an English speaking channel on TV (X-Men, with Burmese subtitles), and figured that was a pretty good choice considering the limited selection. Then, suddenly, without touching anything, the TV changes channels on its own to a Myanmar channel. Well, it turns out, the hotel employee in the lobby wasn't happy with XMen and changed the channel in the lobby TV, and apparently it's one choice for all TVs here, and whatever is on in the lobby is what's going to be on your TV !! Maybe in the morning I might have some fun and mess with changing channels and see where it goes. Opportunities for some good old fashioned multi-cultural pranking. Then, just now before trying to get lights off and some shut eye, I've tried every single light switch in the room, nothing will get this one light to go off. So, down to the lobby I go, and he immediately seems to know what to do. I here a click of a breaker down the hall, and problem solved -- can't switch it off in the room, have to go down the hall to turn a light off in your room . . . quirky things here !
It's morning now and we're throwing our belongings back into the small backpacks -- 3 days of the motorcycle trek completed, and we leave today to revisit the small village near the river that Bobby and I visited last time. Everything is pretty much in a dirty ball of smelly clothes at this point. We'll get to Mandalay later today, and will have the rest of our bags with us at that point.
Rosanna is leaving to the airport in the morning, and I'm looking forward to seeing her. It's been a month since I've seen my Rose.
Off to Kyaut Myaung !
Enjoy the stories and photos !
Robert, Haley & Connor
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