What can anyone say about Bagan other than it is amazing, fabulous, fascinating exhausting and many other words that don’t quite describe it.

Getting here on the bus was fun - we broke down going down the gorge the train went over - just look at the picture and then image what was going through my head!! We were not on a VIP bus but a normal night bus. All you could see were the lights of the lorries etc weaving their way down one side and up the other side of a very steep gorge, on very narrow roads, with very tight corners that only one vehicle can go around at a time!! We were going to die - however the driver got out, repaired the steering - gulp - and on we went to arrive early. Early after sitting on the roadside for nearly an hour - this could not be our stop (so thought the only 4 tourists on the bus) First one then another man from the bus company came on to persuade us that we had to get off, eventually we believed them and got off the bus, into a taxi and were in our hotel by 6.30am.

Back to Bagan - it is all of the things above especially if you are on an old bicycle. Both days we have set off before 8am and ridden miles, mostly on dirt tracks and just found the most amazing sights. The temples are everything you would expect but some of the art work has been incredible. We were at one site and as we were leaving I saw that they were working on another building to the side. I said - lets have a look. Well when we arrived we had to hand over our cameras and mobile phones and they were locked away, so no possible pictures. We then walked up an old set of stairs to be met by a locked gate. As we were turning to walk around the building an old woman arrived at the other side of the gate, unlocked it and handed us a torch. We then were allowed to explore the temple on our own, in the pitch dark, finding the most beautiful pictures depicting Myanmar life. Magical I think is the best word for it.

Legs would disagree but I have had a great time. Tomorrow I am going to hire an E-bike. Well one must mustn’t one!!