Fell asleep at 9.30 last night so got up at 8.30. Met pretentious edit from NYC at breakfast then met Californian-NYC Dan who asked to join in waterfall trip, very worried this may be a let down but said yes. Offered too much breakfast. Nam gave us food to go! Another Canadian girl Megan overheard talk of trip and also joined. 1 HR drive. Best taxi man ever! Got there and Mr awesome taxi man led us in 1hr uphill trek to some huge underground caves, saw large spid...

Woke up at 4.30 again (this is killing me) to see u bein bridge at sunset. Payed smiling taxi man 20000 KYT and he dropped us at ferry station on way back. Caught -1 hr ferry to mingun where say unfinished pagoda and second largest bell. Accosted by small child and naught faux jade bracelet for $2. Headed back circa one for lunch at BBB and cocktails! Got tipsy with ease and wandered streets of Mandalay before bed.

Woke early. Let colourful America Hillary who had been scammed out of 10k USD however remained upbeat. Fed excessive amounts of food at breakfast then headed to air Asia. Flights hanged for maximal thai island time for $138. The. Headed to teak monastery (shwenadaw) via awesome bakery where I essentially ate everything. Also stumbled across worlds biggest book (Kuthodaw pagoda). Hit Mandalay hill for sunset. Had impromptu Asian photo shoot- got my ange on. Went b...

17th: fast boat from bagan to Mandalay (still took 15 hours). Had a cheeky sleep on the ferry in the am as I'm not a fan of the 4 am starts. Ran aground twice (dry season). Arrived at yoe yoe leh guesthouse at about 9 pm- went straight to bed! Nam bwe greeted us- feat house owner. Maniac but lovely.

Woke up at 5 to catch sunset and balloons over bagan. Talked bridge into getting car because her moped skills would have one of us killed. View was immense bought cute driver sunkist he took us to 5 temples, all amazing! Finished at 9, had breakfast, read at hostel then headed out for best pizza yet! Then went to weather spoons, I tried Burmese wine- never again! In true Laura fashion ruined my birthday with unfounded emotional fight. I miss home and everyone at ...