Monday 28 September - xx to Hpa-an -
After a good night sleep under the mosquito net and a very hearty breakfast we headed off only 30 minutes late !
Unsurprisingly our first stop was to see Pagodas - in fact 1000 Buddhas all in the same pose - but the view across the valley was spectacular.
Our next stop was the Tree Pillar. This is a rock with a pagoda but from a distance with the foliage growing up it it looks like a tree. The way to the rock was along a causeway where pilgrims can feed the fish with fresh Wonderloaf ! At the base of the rock shoes came off and we climbed up the steps - not too far - with a view across the valley.
Back in the bus our next stop was to the caves down a long and winding track through rice paddies, villages and rural electrification. After about 30 minutes we arrived at the car park which was in fact in stream - which should have been a warning to us all !
Heading across a bamboo bridge - which was composed of a couple of large bamboo poles, up a flight of steps to the cave entrance. We waited while the guide checked to see how clear the 45 minute walk through the limestone cavern would be - potholing by any other name - a local lady joined Joy for a quick photo opportunity. The all clear was given and we headed bare-foot into the cave !
The main cavern contained several large baud statues and at the back the floor rose and we started climbing having readjusted our foot wear. About 10 metres in we stumbled into the stream - some of us took our shoes off while two of our party plunged with shoes on into the torrent. Slipping and sliding we headed on torches in hand up mud slopes through more shallows and came to rest where the limestone ceiling had collapsed letting light into the cave.
At this point we decided things could only get more hazardous and so headed back.Later the guide did admit that two weeks previously the torrent had been up to his chest and he was not quite sure what we would encountered further through the cave. Back at the entrance once more we were cause celebre amongst the local pilgrims - as it turned out today was a holiday and so the place was packed. They were all highly amused by Stuart tipping the water out of his boots.
The guide headed off to secure the use of two canoes with originally were destined to bring us back from the other side but now would take us on a return trip. The wait provided great photo opportunities and the driver took advantage of the time to wash the van in the car park (stream).
One dug out canoe appeared and the the boatsman was insistent that it was perfectly safe for 4 of us - previously our guide had cautioned against all of us getting in one canoe given the potential lopsided nature of the transit ! Unperturbed we set off.
Our boat man started by punting us with a bamboo pole and we managed not to rock the boat too much and slid gracefully across the lake. Ahead was a small hole in the limestone and jokingly I said we were heading in - and suddenly we were. the pole being traded for a paddle. 'Watch your head 'said Stuart - so Joy laid down only to be pulled up smartly by the guide who said ‘no no you must get up’ and pulled her up.
We set off crouching and finally emerged into the daylight and ahead was the exit from the cave. Our return journey was less dramatic but equally enjoyable. Disembarkation was tricky affair - with the boat man insisting Joy got off last !
Back on the bus we headed off down the pot holed road and to lunch with the promise of a restaurant overlooking the hot springs and a lakeside view. Having parked we headed down a path with a stop at the toilet. Some what bizarrely Stuart locked the door and found himself in pitch darkness with the inevitable dangers.
The restaurant did indeed overlook a lake but the ‘hot springs’ was a lido full of kids !! We ordered fried rice and vegetable which was nice and Stuart ordered a second helping - having at first been bit iffy about the place. A
After lunch we declined a dip in the pool!Heading back we managed to convince the team we need to shop for beer, wine and snacks ! We managed two Myanmar beers and a ‘ Black’ wine cooler from Thailand for Joy. Unfortunately as the store was a wholesaler one bag of chips was not possible. So we headed into town scouring for a grocery store. Our final stop of the day was another pagoda over looking the Thalwin River - being assured it was only ‘three easy steps’ we on headed in.
The view over river was quite spectacular and well, worth the climb. Inside we some stall and lo and behold we found some peanuts and what turned out to be super spicy chips.
As we headed back to the Lodge we discussed Tuesday’s agenda - more caves, the odd pagoda and the much promised hot springs. To be continued !
