All is going well and we're having a great adventure here in Myanmar. Day 4 is now complete, and just one 1/2 day remains, here in Mandalay.

We left our hotel in the small town of Shwebo, on our way to Kyaut Myaung. I've been looking forward to a return trip to this very small village, as my son, Bobby, and I have fond memories of our brief visit there 3 years ago. Kyaut Myaung's sole economy is based on pottery, and they transport the pottery down river to other cities within Myanmar. It's most all dirt roads, and super friendly people everywhere. The kids were excited to take pictures with us, and one lady in particular made a place in our hearts, as she was so sweet to us (and Bobby most of all).

It was during that visit 3 years ago that she held onto Bobby the whole time, walked him around the village, gave him some gifts, and said that she wants to keep him as he's so cute.

We arrived into Kyaut Myaung, and Sam showed us around the pottery manufacturing process and facilities, with lots of hard workers. Then we went to the same place we were at 3 years ago, and looked and asked around for the lady that we met then. Sure enough, we found her and she and her daughters graciously invited us into their home and served us drinks. She immediately remembered me when I walked in, and we talked a little bit with the help of Sam's translations. Her health isn't great lately and she looks a bit frail, due to age. She's so sweet, and the funniest moment had to be when we were telling her about Haley, as my daughter and Bobby's sister. She commented in her language, and Sam translated for us. He apologized to Haley that he's just translating, but she said that you're cute and pretty, but Bobby's cuter ! She wants Bobby to come back and see her again. It was a really fun time visiting someone in a foreign country like that and making a return visit, with such open arms and a warm reception.

Normally, I would arrange to bring educational materials when we visit schools or children in foreign countries. But in this case, we are on motorcycle and don't have the ability to transport the goods. So, instead, I brought a bunch of cute LED light up balls and these small and cute themed-rubber duckies. Now, knowing that I only have a certain amount of the toys/gifts, I prefer to meet the kids in the streets and hand them out individually. But today, the kids were in school, so no choice but to make our visit there.

Immediately after riding in on our motorcycles, the kids started gravitating in, sensing that we've got something good in the works. I decided to let Haley be Santa Claus, and quickly it became a mob of 50-60 kids forging to claim a stake in the 30 or so toys. Within seconds, the sweet and gentle Burmese children unleashed a voracious appetite for light-up balls and rubber duckies, crowding, pushing and hands in the air. Not enough toys for each and every kid, granted -- but I spotted one boy that managed to get a hold of 2, with a devilish grin on his face as if to say, haha I've got some duckies . . . I've got some duckies, and you don't have one !!! (remember the Eddie Murphy ice cream scene?)

And thus, the white man with his evil toys introduced to the innocent Burmese children the concepts of greed, envy and capitalism, all in a concise 5 minute visit ! Our work was done, and after a brief photo opportunity, it was time for Santa Claus and the elves to make our exit. Onward to Mandalay !!

It's been 4 full days on motorcycle, covering 100 - 150 miles per day. It's pretty much all asphalt roads, but they're not always perfectly smooth, a bit bumpy at times -- and of course, with trucks & busses that come within 1-2 feet of the motorcycles as they pass. All this riding has worn on us a bit, and by the end of day 4, we each feel like we have "Babboon Butts". It's getting quite uncomfortable on the rear ends, so we're happy to have made it safely back to Mandalay. Rather than ride around the very busy and crazy city on motorcycle today, instead, we're going to do our touring for the final 1/2 day via taxi. Motorcycles are turned in, but we still have Sam with us to show us around and translate as needed.

We covered the entire route that was planned, and visited almost every single site or event that we hoped for -- it was a success ! No further problems or accidents. We rented the motorcycles from Zach at Mandalay Motorbikes, and everything was setup perfectly and as requested. And Sam, our private guide, has been absolutely awesome. Great guy, and we really enjoyed our time with him (once again). He is thorough, helpful, and he knows his way around the entire region very well. And he was very conscientious of Haley & Connor, as newer riders, in challenging spots within the city -- even pulled out into oncoming vehicles a couple times and confidently put his hand out to halt traffic so Haley & Connor could make the crossing, as if we were dignitaries ! Well, I guess we were, as the lone foreigners surrounded by locals, right ?

Later today, we say farewell to a great time and great people in the exotic country of Myanmar. We enjoyed, and now we are off to the Philippines, with a 1 night layover in Bangkok.

Thanks for riding along with us for our 5 day trek of Myanmar. Enjoy the photos !

Robert, Haley, and Connor