Shark tree

We wake up just in time for breakfast at the hotel and then decide to do a bit of forward planning as the internet, which was non existent last night, seems super speedy for Myanmar this morning and we're still groggy from a late night watching footie.

We had planned to go to Inle Lake then travel by land towards the border town of Tachilek to cross into Thailand then onto Laos.  We soon discover that a large part of the road between the Lake and Kengtung (north of Tachilek) is closed to foreigners and bus companies won't sell you tickets so the only alternative is to fly.  Apparently you can get special permission from the local government and travel the road in a private car with a guide for a large fee of course! 

We also learn there is a fee to enter the Inle Lake area and, after a bit more research, decide we're not that bothered about going there and we think we'll go to Hsipaw, which is a mountainous area north east of Mandalay, instead.  We can either travel by bus (5 hours) or train (12-14 hours) so head down to the train station to make enquiries.  The train leaves daily at 4am and the only reason to do it as its uncomfortable and long is that it crosses the amazing Gokteik Viaduct.  

We spend the rest of the day meandering around the City centre, getting lost and also getting some information on buses before we make our decision. Not a lot of sightseeing but we had planned to spend a bit of time In Mandalay sorting out onwards travel.  We're finding it takes a long time to get information here in Myanmar and, when you do, its often contradicted by the next person you ask!  We didn't take many pics today but this was a cool tree we saw whilst walking.  There are plenty of trees lining the roads here although it doesn't give the overall impression of being a particularly green city.

We head to an Indian for dinner before a couple of beers then bed.