MYANMAR

Up very early to catch the taxi to the airport. Both Morag and Sussie were sad to say goodbye to each other. We had to pay more for our bags when we checked in which was a bit annoying. We sat in a nice little cafe at the airport which was a nice change. Read up about Myanmar and we got a little worried as it said there were no ATMs there and that you can't change baht into kyat. There was no ATM at the airport so we couldn't do anything. Morag and I were the only white people on the plane along with two other people. When we arrived we were literally in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing insight. At the airport there were 2 ATMs but they weren't working. We managed to change our baht into kyat though. So many people tried to get us to take their taxi! Got a good price as we battered it down with a couple of them! The 'bus' was super hot and obviously had no air con. We drove for an hour or so to get into the centre. The landscape is so different to the other countries I have travelled. There were masses of temples dotted in everywhere but no houses anywhere. It finally became a little busier and we arrived at 'royal' guest house. They had a room but were charging us a fortune. We paid $8 each with breakfast included. The room was the smallest room ever with a small double bed squeezed in. I could place my palm on the ceiling! It was like a oven too. We got out of the room and explored. I don't think Burmese people have ever seen a white person with the stares we were getting. I finally found a place i could get money out. I wasn't an ATM, it was in a small shop and I had to give them my card for a little machine and they have me the money I wanted. Sounds dodgy but I think it is alright! We had a really good lunch at a local place. It was the only place that we came across. They did a really good chicken sweet and sour for us! Best one i have had I think. Later on we went to nylon 'bar' which looks like a very scruffy canteen. We got a not very nice chocolate shake and average chocolate ice-cream. For the whole 20 minutes we were there no one took there eyes of us. It is so bizarre! Myanmar is completely different to any country I have been too!