Cruising on the Ayarwaddy

Cruising on the Ayarawaddy ... An early start despite the lack of a wake up call  had us at the correct ferry terminal in plenty of time for departure but not time to get the best seats on the upper deck. 

Deck chairs

The best seats are where you could get to put your plastic picnic chair up close to the rail on one side or the other amid the bedlam of setting off.

Local passengers all sprawl or sit on the floor many going to sleep in the most uncomfortable looking positions almost immediately. Things sorted out within the first hour or so and figured our position back near central section of boat was not too bad given the overhang of the roof would afford some protection from the sun later in the day.

Produce going to market

The whole day went quite swimmingly albeit a bit longer than anticipated ... The nine hour voyage turned out to be almost exactly twelve hours. We had some brekky packs provided by hotel as did most of the other tourist travelers. In view of my still unsettled stomach we rationed ours through most of the day rather than take the more adventurous option of dining at the little kitchen complete with cooking fire at the rear of our level of the boat.

The locals

Leaving Mandalay

Awaiting the supplies

Food vendors awaiting the daily opportunity

Bath and wash day

Great massage

Most of the day was spent observing passing river traffic, the continuous stream of pagodas on the banks punctuated by the dozen or so stops where supplies were dropped off to villages and some of the local passengers got off and some times a couple got on.

Arriving at Bagan or the port village of Nhu Shue we felt our age again in the relief to see some one holding a sign with our names .... There was a time when facing the gauntlet of taxi drivers and in this instance horse cart pilots and rickshaw skippers was just another's challenge but that was then and now to be chauffeured away from the queue still waiting to pay there fee for entry to the Bagan archaeological site in the best most comfortable looking vehicle with tread on the tyres as well was satisfying.

Mayhem at the boat terminal Bagan

Digs in old Bagan was the Thande Hotel right on the river and within the walls of an ancient city.

A staff party in recognition of the establishments 12th anniversary had taken over the pool area, but they were "sorry for inconvenience" and was no time for a swim before a beer then a pleasant dinner at the riverside bar and cafe... Even with a delicate stomach curries are suitably mild.