22/03/2014

We were planning to get a six day slow boat back down the river to Manadaly, so we made our way to the boat jetty, before finding out it was the wrong one. Quick taxi to the next one where we were told we needed a permit to board the vessel back in town. We went back to town and went to an 'immigration' building where we met Ben, a really tall guy Dorking, England, a tree surgeon. He also had the same idea and got told to get the permit as well. He decided to buddy up with us as we changed plans and decided to go to the biggest lake in Burma. This was the unknown less touristy one, as opposed to Inle Lake which is rammed with tourists. We got some food first were we met a Burmese guy from Bolton, straight away I knew he was English! Couldn't believe it lol. We all chatted on together.

Got the train. This time was nicer with a small table but still an awful toilet. More water bombs also came through the window. All the locals lined up to take photos with us too. Was funny. Ben bought some beetle nut to chew on, which around %80 of the Burmese population seem to constantly chew on, which releases a red liquid which they are always spitting out over the streets, its horrible. Some of the teeth are a sight to behold. You need to see it to believe it.

Arrived at a place called Hopin, and checked in at the only guesthouse in town. We bumped into an American methadone doctor, a guy in his late 50s, who joined us for dinner on the night. He told of the Burmas heroin epidemic and how he is over here with an NGO trying to combat it. We enjoyed his company and he told some interesting stuff. Ben is an ex alcoholic and heroin user so was real interesting hearing the user and doctor talk. The guy even paid for our bill at the end of the night… damn, knew I should have ordered a beer! Back in the hotel me and Ben shared a room and the German brothers had theirs. Ben had a speaker and he had loadsa tunes on his phone. Was so good to hear some good music, and meet another guy with actual music taste.