Kalaw

The group left early to go trekking in the hills. We opted for the 4000 kyat, 4-hour tour with Albert, our new friend. He gave us an interesting perspective on the area. The town was a mix of Shan, Muslim, Burmese and Nepalis (Gurkhas returned from British military service). We got to see the rotating market in Aungban. The market was filled with hill tribe people- the Pa-O, Da Nu, and Palaung. At the market, there were also games of chance. We stopped to watch a huge crowd playing bingo.

After the regular market (food, etc), we headed to the hills for the ox and water buffalo market. Only 40,000 kyat for a water buffalo- about $120. There were no women at the market….so a blonde woman drew a lot of stares.

Then we were off to Myintmahti and the Buddhist caves (not yet open to tourists- since the government hasn’t figured out a way to charge for it). Since Albert knew the local road guards, we got through and got a local guide to take us through the caves with flashlights and a bit of explanation.

Back at Kalaw, we got to see the Nea Pagoda and the Buddha made of palm sticks, covered in lacquer then gold leaf. Albert had a sense of humor- he said, “Burmese are a funny people: They see a big tree, they make a pagoda… they see a big cave, they make a pagoda… they see a big stone, they make a pagoda…”
Since he was Indian, he pointed us to the only non-Burmese place in town for lunch, the Nepali Food Center. In their guest book, one of the quotes was:
“Hey guys, for all of you politically incorrect invaders of native cultures and destroyers of the hillside status quo- enjoy. The food here is really tasty and the banana lassi is far out solid and right on Bob… from a crass American- aren’t we all”