Moomba

Another early start leaving the hotel at 06:30 for the long journey to the airport around 45 minutes from the city centre.

Security was swift and painless and there was a secondary at the bus gate but this again was no problem.

The flight was another bus gate and another ATR-72-200 aircraft.

Yangon Air
Flight YH 0918 MDL-HEH Seat Not Assigned (Economy)
Aircraft: ATR72-200
Departure time: 08:35


We pushed back at 08:20 and landed in HeHo in the Shan state around 22 minutes later after the crew providing a drinks service on the way.

After collecting bags we all hopped in our bus for the long drive to Pindaya around 2 hours away.

At Pindaya we visited a mutli chambered caves complex that housed thousands of Buddha images. The legendary tale explains that several princesses were held captive in these caves by a giant spider. A prince happened along and slay the giant spider with a bow and arrow. There is a model of this feat of bravery at the entrance to the cave complex.


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves

The caves are quite high up a hill and the views from the entrance level are quite lovely.


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves

Inside the caves there are hundreds of images of Buddha in the many chambers that make up the caves.


Pindaya Caves

Many of the Buddha images inside had plaques with the names of the donors who paid for that image.


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves


Pindaya Caves


After this we stopped at a local paper production workshop that made paper from the bark of the mulberry tree and set into it leaves and flowers. We also saw how umbrellas were made from bamboo and covered with the paper.


Shan Paper Making

The mulberry bark is pounded into a pulp that is then mixed with water.


Shan Paper Making


Shan Paper Making

The pulp and water is then spread evenly over the backing frame.


Shan Paper Making

Then the flower petals and leaves are placed in position on the frame under the watchful eye of the daughter of one of the paper makers.


Shan Paper Making


Shan Paper Making


Shan Paper Making

The excess water is drained away and the whole frame is put into the sun to dry.

Shan Paper Making

Once dry the paper is peeled off the frame and can be used for making lamp shades, envelopes and note pads and umbrellas.


Shan Paper Making


Making Umbrellas


Makng Umbrellas

We then had lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking the lake.


Lunch Venue


Lunch Venue


Lunch Venue

Back in the bus we drove for another hour and a half to our resting place for the next two nights Kalaw. This town was high in the hills and was significantly cooler than the rest of the trip and was a welcome respite.

We had some free time to wander the town before we all met up for a bowl of the local Shan noodles for dinner. On my walk into town many of the people on the street smiled at me and said Mingalabar. Generally speaking this was the norm for Myanmar where friendly smiling faces seem to be commonplace.

Tomorrow getting personal with a rather large retiree.


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