Towards Yangon

Our Temple dinner was beyond magnificent; a memory that will remain forever.  As we approached the group of stupas where it was to take place we, quite literally, had our breath taken away.  Our path was lit with rows of candles with more placed all around the beautifully set out tables and chairs.  Most astonishing of all though were the stupas themselves, some several storeys high. Candles had been placed all over them - flickering flames soaring into the inky, star filled, night sky, creating a magical ambience, dream like and overwhelmingly beautiful. Traditional local musicians and dancers entertained us with an enchanting six year old boy playing the drum with perfect timing and rhythm; a superstar in the making.  It was a very, very special evening, which, inexplicably, several crews failed to attend.  They missed something very special indeed, a real highlight in a rally filled with wonderous experiences.

Today has been a transit day.  166 kms to a place you will never of heard of: Magwe, a place no tourist ever visits.   The journey here was interesting, as always.  Extremely hot and dusty, and arid to the point of desert for much of it. We traversed dry river beds, sandy, rough, lumpy roads and a few longish sections of decent Tarmac. We went through one oil drilling area with 'nodding donkeys' incongruously dotted around.  

Apart from a couple of bustling little towns habitation was fairly sparse, with so little agriculture life must be very tough. It was hard to see how anyone made a living.

We are staying in the best hotel in town.  After the supreme luxury of Bagan we are truly back down to earth.  The staff are doing their best faced with the rally rabble.  New glasses had been purchased for the occasion, still with their labels on, and they managed to serve us all dinner in the 'canteen style' dining room.  

Wifi, as always, is extremely poor.  I will attempt to post a picture or two, but have little faith in it working.