Blogs from Sittwe, Western Burma, Burma, Asia

Our morning taxi from Nyaungshwe arrived early for the 1-hour drive over the terrible road to the nearest airport. The diver appeared insistent that we leave so off we went weaving around potholes that could have swallowed a bus and road workers with the latest high tech machinery - "le sledge hammer". Yes, the roadworkers, 50% female, were breaking up stone for a new roadway with sledgehammers. A scene reminiscent of 1950s Louisiana (and likely present day as well) prison chain gangs. Hard work in the already blistering heat. Good thing we left for airport early as our scheduled 9:35 a.m. flight on Air Bagan left promptly at 8:45! We managed to scramble through customs and immigration (yes, need to go through these formalities for every internal flight in Burma) and board plane just before they ... read more

Morning comes early. Tai chi is a useless endeavour. My body is aching after three days riding too small a bike, followed by a ten hour journey on a tiny bus seat followed by three days hiking and sleeping in the cold. The Portuguese couple in the bungalow next door share a cab with me to Heho airport. The lobby is no larger than a small town bus station. Three morning flights are delayed due to thick fog on the runway. I'm concerned I'll miss my connection in Yangon and speak with the front desk. "No problem, no problem," I'm assured. The sky clears and the planes land and the passengers board. Air Mandalay does not issue seat numbers. Every man, woman and child for himself. There is no warning that we are taxiing, no tables ... read more