Yes, I think it depends on the temple. I've been to Shwe Dagon many times, but never tire of it. I love watching how the locals experience it - it is very much a part of their daily lives.

I had no hassles on that ride, but I did see a journal where another couple of riders got shaken down for a few dollars by a pair of armed (AK47s) bandits. That road gets very little traffic now days.

the yin and the yang...

I left the bike with Jeff Parry and returned in October, so got to experience the kindness of the Burmese people, and the impact of the police and military junta...

That's definitely a cyclist's worst nightmare. So bad to be so sick and worst, you missed out on enjoying the beautiful people of this delightful country (military coup aside)

Gotta luv them beetle nut teeth!

😁 I stayed there too

I had intended to go via the old road but was a touch sick so took the newer and shorter option - shit happens.

That's funny cause I see many cyclists heading into Temple after Temple (not criticising) but I got Templed out years ago.

I certainly remember that scene and yes, Myawaddy impressed as a shit hole!

So good

Andrew, that's one of the things that drove me to leave the USA so many years ago and that I really appreciate about OZ and NZ -travel is part of our DNA.

Love reading your journals by the way...

Certainly can't argue with your above comments re prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. Totally agree that travel is a perfect antidote against such things.

Living in Perth, I know the shop of which you speak...

I could write the encyclopedia of food poisoning. I think what I had in Burma was probably a combination of food poisoning and hyperthermia. I probably needed intravenous antibiotics and a saline drip - the nearest access to that would have been Bangkok.

I was not a happy pedaler.

Victor...food poisoning is no fun. My worst experience was at Fremantle E-Shed markets at an Indian food stall, thank god I could suffer at home and not travelling at the time.