Some travel days are just longer and more tiring than others when you are on the road. I was still struggling with my Malaysian Cough and Avan had come down with a head cold in Bagan. 15th May was one such day and it just happened to also be our wedding anniversary! We were travelling from Bagan to Kalaw a journey that saw us leave Bagan at 7.30 am and arrive to Kalaw well after dark.

All was forgotten, even the trials of a middle of the day bus breakdown when, at dinner that night we were totally surprised by a cake with candles wishing us happy anniversary! This had been secretly organised by A Kay our guide when she heard during the day that we had a celebration. A bottle of local wine we bought at a stall on the way added to the occasion too.

We had stopped at a Toddy Palm plantation to learn about a local crop, then at Mount Popa to climb the 777 steps to the Monastery top. Of course it had to be done barefoot! It was a really strange place honoring "nat worship" an earlier form of religion of the Burmese. Many monkeys crowded the steps and "step cleaners" kept asking for donations, so we didn't get monkey poo on our feet. Our bus breakdown followed, then a very late lunch at an extremely bizarre restaurant still under construction. Windy mountain roads with breathtaking drops either side took us to the 4292 ft, elevated town of Kalaw where the British came during the hot season for some cool air.

A 6 hour hike the next day took most of the group adventuring into the hills. I, with three others opted out and explored the town instead. Next our adventures take us to Inle Lake.