Burma!!

Another strong effort by the Gibbs clan to make it to Burma (Myanmar). We left Vang Vieng, Laos by mini bus at 0900 and got to a hotel in Yangon at 1400 the next day.

• 3 hour mini bus ride from Vang Vieng to Vientiene
• a phenomenal lunch at Ray's Grille. Ray is an expat American who has been living in Thailand and Laos for 27 years now. Originally from the Seattle area. He makes a mean Philly Sub sandwich.  The kids had their first quesadillas since Don Jilbertos in Montrose
• a tuk tuk ride from Vientiene to the train station in Thanaleng
• a short train ride across the Mekong River on the Friendship Bridge that links Laos to Thailand
• the requisite Thai border paperwork and a new train for an 11 hour overnight train to Bangkok.
• arrival in Bangkok at the airport (an actual train stop, thankfully) at around 0800 - walk to departure terminal
• 1 1/2 hour flight to Myanmar at 11:30
• Myanmar immigration (our third country's immigration in 24 hours) and a 45 minute taxi ride through Yangon (6 million people) to our hotel.
• Whew...

We showed up with Myanmar visas and US$, but little else.  We couldn't make the internet work for hotel resy's. So we went about it the same way we solve most travel challenges: we created the obligation aka ripping off the bandage. By landing in Yangon with no hotel resy, we had no choice but to find a place. Perfect plan.

The concierge person at the info booth in the airport was SUPER helpful.  We had a hotel identified from the Lonely Planet guidebook. She dialed the number on her personal cell phone, handed it to me and then wandered off to help someone else. They had a nice room with 5 beds for $60 and we were set.

That same evening we walked to Shwedagon Pagoda. The most important religious site in Burma. It was stunning.  However, the most fantastic part was the 45 minute conversation with had with some young monks. They were fascinated by an American family traveling to their country.  The kids were the key.  The monks likely never would have approached just Joanie and I.  Rock, in fact, has been our meal ticket in SE Asia as there seems to be endless fascination with Caucasian boys.  Who knew?

This morning we went to a local travel agency and booked flights to Bagan.  Another thing that was impossible to arrange in advance.  However, here it was a piece of cake.  Our travel logistics being set, we spent the balance of the day exploring Yangon and taking in the sights. 

There are some fascinating cultural aspects.  For example, in an effort to separate themselves from the British they elected to switch to driving on the right side. However, all of the cars have right side steering wheels. Makes for interesting passing, to say the least.

We were actually pleasantly surprised to find hotel wifi. Reports had it as being just about non-existent. However, things are changing fast in Myanmar.  We may not come back across wifi for a couple of weeks, but will update the blog if we stumble across the opportunity. 

The people are so kind, warm, and generous of heart. I sense that our stay here is going to be exceptional.