Most people arrive here in the afternoon of one day and leave the next on the train to Hsipaw. That is a mistake I love Pyin Oo Lwin.

Today we decided to go for a stroll in the countryside guided by Zay. We were picked up in van. I climbed elegantly into the back, Shiela needed a plastic stool and there we sat being bumped and laughed at by locals. Twenty minutes later we arrived at a local village and the walk started.

The morning was through farmland with a stop at a village coffee house. We had passed a coffee plantation but sadly all they had to offer us was Nescafé already mixed sweetened coffee - but it was a nice setting. We then visited a local weaving “factory” - it was in a farm barn and was run by the farmers wife.

We started to climb and the scenery got more and more dramatic until we reached the view point and lunch - traditional Shan dishes. Yummy and a view to die for.

We then visited 7 Step Waterfall. At the first step we had a swim, at the second we just admired, at the 3rd we climbed up and posed for a picture. At the fourth we had another swim - having to climb down, around and over rocks, trees and numerous other obstacles. To get to the 5th, 6th and 7th steps we had to climb down what felt like a mountain but oh was it worth it. I ended up by climbing the last step and finding myself in a baby!! Swimming pool.

I can’t remember enjoying a trek more. If you can visit Pyin Oo Lwin.