Yangon to Pyay

Today we went on a seven hour bus journey to Pyay where we would board the AmaPura for our cruise on the  Ayeyarwady River. Though the road was apparently the major thoroughfare it was narrow and bumpy and it would seem that horns here may wear out from over use as our bus driver was constantly on his to make the locals on heir various forms of transport move over to let us by.  Motorcycles are not allowed in the cities but are the main form of transport in the rural areas and carry the whole family.  We passed through dozens of small villages with the residents selling heir wares and food along the roadside mostly to other locals as this area is not high in tourist traffic and the local "restaurants "do not call out to the weaker stomachs of the tourist as the hygiene leaves much to be desired.  Everywhere we passed by or stopped the people were so warm and friendly.  Their faces are always lit with welcoming smiles and though most are very poor none are begging.  Friendly merchants encourage you to take pictures of their unusual foods.  One fellow was selling barbecued sparrows as well as several different types of dried fish which he was generously trying to give Tina and I samples of.  Tina tried a small nibble of a fish and we graciously turned down the rest.

As we travelled the countryside it was very apparent why this is called the golden country.  One does not go far without spotting a golden pagoda, and often several at a time.  We are told that even though the majority of the people are poor they still give a large percentage, sometimes up to sixty percent, to the temple.  Their belief in reincarnation is so strong that this is so important to them.

The land is flat as far as you could see and often covered with large expanses of rice paddies which is a major export for Myanmar as well as a staple in their diet being served at every meal.

As we neared the river we passed through a teak forest.  It is now against the law to cut down teak trees in Myanmar as the forests were earlier decimated and take a very long time to regrow.

Arriving in  Pyay we boarded the ship via a golden sand pathway to start our adventure on the river.

Workers in the rice fields along he way

Assortment of local delicacies including dried fish and barbecued sparrows

Quails eggs also were a very popular item every where that we stopped.

Along the way amongst the poor villages we came to the most beautifully kept war memorial with stones for each soldier, Burmese and British killed in the war

In such a dry area the grass was green and  there was a well maintained plant beside each stone.  It was a wonderful tribute to those who gave their lives so we could live free.

Typical roadside sight

Local restaurant along the way.  They must do a booming business in plastic chairs and tables as they all seem to have them.