Leaving Yangon

Everyone was desperate to get going this morning and to finally start driving.  The actual leaving took a while though.  We were escorted to the official start, which was in a park with a view of the giant Pagoda in the background.  The park looked as if it was originally an airfield of some description.  We were flagged off by the Minister for Tourism and everything was done at the usual "relaxed" pace which is normal here.

We were being escorted, in number order, the 20 kms to the edge of the city when disaster struck car number 1 - the very pretty BMW belonging to Birgit and Gerd. They had been having a few minor problems with starting since leaving the port but the car just stopped.  As car number 2, we were directly behind them.  All sorts of tinkering and a push failed to start it and we very sadly left them, with a mechanic team, to carry on with the convoy.  We were delighted to see them at lunch after a new battery had been fitted. They had some fuel vaporisation difficulties too.

Finally, FINALLY, the police waved goodbye and set us free.  We had just over 300 kms to cover, not too many.  Motorbikes are banned in Yangon, along with many other modes of transport.  On leaving the city, all manner of conveyances are used and motorbikes, of course, are ubiquitous.  There are no rules, except that buses always have right of way.  Great care needs to be taken in towns and vilages as no one looks to see if the road is clear when pulling out or, as happened to us, deciding to do a u turn immediately in front of you without looking.  Driving, whilst haphazard, is actually not at all aggressive, just thoughtless. The lorry drivers are actually quite helpful; signally when it is safe to overtake them. Our passage was causing quite a stir though and our passing  was greeted with great delight by the locals. 

We were driving through the flat, very fertile, basin past paddy fields and vast areas of vegetables growing.  Apart from the rice, sugar palms, banana trees, lack of wind and the warm sunshine, it could almost have been Norfolk. It was certainly the Burmese equivalent.  

We went to look the biggest reclining Buddha I have ever seen.  On the photo, you can just make out Adrian, who doesn't normally appear midget like.  The soles of the Buddha's feet were particularly beautiful. It was built in the 10th century and was re-discovered in 1840, covered in dense jungle, by some Brits surveying for a railway route.  You can't miss it now. We then went on to a Palace where we were given a very warm welcome and a lovely array of snacks and cold drinks were served to us, along with lots of charm.

A very civilised lunch had been arranged in a gorgeous teak house, complete with "relaxed" service.  Everyone is so lovely here though that it doesn't really matter.  We are adjusting our own attitudes instead.  

Although, by necessity, we were only on the main road today, we went through lovely villages, a few bustling towns and had enough to see to keep us all happy.  I have spent a lot of time in places that use ox carts but, never, ever, have I seen as many in one day as we saw today.  Hundreds of them. Often several at once in a convoy. Marvellous.

The day was not without problems for a few cars. Apart from Gerd and Birgit, the MGA had a master cylinder failure, Alastair Caldwell had some minor difficulties, and car number 2, a very fine Ford Model A, had a bit of a sticky clutch, all now resolved. Whilst mentioning Alastair, I must tell you about the delightful Dorothy, his navigator and mum.  96 years old this year and rallying with her 71 year old baby.  Beyond marvellous.  George, take note, when I am 96, I want to go on a vintage car rally somewhere exotic, with my 61 year old baby.  I wonder where it will be? 

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