Muse-Bhamo-Mandalay!
It is a long way all the way from Yangon, the capital of Myanmar to Muse on north-eastern part of Myanmar bordering with Shweli. However, I felt that it is a rewarding travel program due to the very pleasant boat ride on Ayeyarwaddy River.
It was the fullmoon day of Thadingyut (light festival) and the very first day from Yangon was quite unease as we took a train from Yangon and it took us 16 hrs to arrive Mandalay. Though with very poor facility, I must say that it arrives Mandalay on time without any delay, at least.
Next moring, we took a taxi (Aye Yar Shweli-a mark II saloon) to Muse and it was already 9:30 am when we left Mandalay. Several stops for strecthing legs and lunch stop was already 3:30 pm at Lashio. It was already dark when we draw near to Muse and several motorcycles grouping into 10 or more passed by as an iligal trade into Myanmar. No wonder, China close it's eye for their own benefits. It confirms our next day visit to Shweli (Ruli) and no doubt that China products overtaking every where in the world.
On 29th October, we met our clients from New Zealand and dinner was exceptionally entertained by an old Myanmar woman (Margarett) who studied at Mission school in Myanmar at British times. Everyone was amazed by her welcoming English and it was quite an interesting event talking with Margarett.
It was quite an experience on Muse-Bhamo trail. The green forest along the way refresh after every bump on stony road. Anyway, one time is enough! A reward comes after this long ride journey on stony ride. That is "The boat ride on Ayeyarwaddy River", hightlight of my trip to Bhamo.
Just before this trip, I came back from Mrauk U and I felf the sea at Sittwe was a bit wild for me. Here on Ayeyarwaddy, unlike the sea at Sittwe, the river is so wide but so gentle. The boat ride was so peaceful and tranquail until no one wanted to speak anything but to enjoy it to the fullest. The cool weather, mild breeze, the green forest on the river bank, gentle current of Ayeyarwady was perfect combination and I thought to myself, I am lucky enough to have been one of this kind of journey in Myanmar. I won't forget to mention the crew of our boat. They are the best.
We stopped by a few villages and Kyauk Myaung for it's famous pottery work. Kyauk Myaung is another interesting place to see how the pottery were produced traditionally and commercially. Two days boat ride on the best part of Ayeyarwaddy is so pleasant with no comparison. When the boat anchored at Mandalay, we know that there are lots of things to see and learn ahead of us for a good reason to say good-bye to Ayeyarwaddy. Looking through the glass window of our bus, we wish to come again for another time and then the great life blood line of Myanmar, Ayeywarwaddy ley behind us.
