Day 146 Taunggyi - Namsang

Our day began today with photos with the hotel staff and their best wishes for our continued safe journey.



Then it was a visit to a temple overlooking Taunggyi.  The temple was very cool and we had a nice wander around. 




A Myanmar dragon. 

The view over the city was great. Taunggyi is a very nice city, spotlessly clean and modern. Friendly people made us feel welcome.  


The city sits right on the edge of a hill.


We returned back down the hill for gas, the ladies at the gas gas station kindly offered us water for our journey so of course we posed with them for photos. 



We then we headed off on the 125km to Namsang. Once again easy riding on good roads and light traffic. As we wound into the hills the scenery got better and better with frequent stops for photos.
This area used to be notorious for poppy growing and was a part of the golden triangle but any sign of that trade is long gone.



The area was also the scene of a nasty civil war which has now ended but the military presence and checkpoints are still active.

Just before lunch a major rain event slowed us down, with the roads flooded in places and mud and debris becoming a hazard. It was very frustrating to be riding through this torrential downpour but looking in almost every direction (except up) was bright blue skies. 

Lunch was welcome at a little roadside cafe and consisted of the usual dish of Shan noodles.

We then stopped at a monastery where Min Min had a friend who was the senior monk there. We were invited to sit with him and take tea while he explained the workings of the monastery. It was soon after their lunch so all the novices were resting. One little 6 year old boy came for a visit. He was very shy but he managed a few smiles. 



A view from the monastery of the heavy rain.
It was still raining when we set off for the short journey to our hotel.

Dinner with Min Min at a local cafe was very nice, I am detecting Thai flavours and spiciness creeping in as we move closer to the border.
We were treated to a spectacular lightening display over dinner, we are hoping it will be all done and dusted by tomorrow.


A view of the hills we crossed today.

A very nice and easy bike riding day.
Tomorrow is 350km so it will not be so easy, especially if the weather is against us.





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