This afternoon is one of the most bizarre travel experiences of my life. Situated an hour or so from Mawlamyine is the site of the world's largest reclining Buddha with an even larger one under construction. The drive along the entrance road includes hundreds of huge monk sculptures each with a different face. They certainly understand the word 'excess' here that's for sure. The first sight of the reclining Buddha brings a 'Wow' or an 'OMG' or even a 'WTF'! ...

Having seen the Burma death railway on the Thailand side at Kanchanburi a few years ago, I am keen to see the war cemetery at Thazambuyat in at the start of the railway in Myanmar (Burma) The war cemetery is yet again beautifully kept by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the land is being restored following the wet season. Places like this always bring about an emotional response. Young men, some younger than my own sons are buried here. The inscript...