Picturesque Hsipaw

We are picked up at our hotel at 7am by the mini bus to Hsipaw.  As usual, it stops everywhere to pick people up and leaves Mandalay over an hour later.  We arrive in Hsipaw at about 2pm and are dropped at our hotel.  The drive was a little hairy at times but there was some stunning scenery. We saw the Gokteik Viaduct from the road and it looks amazing.  Maybe we’ll get to do the train journey the other way.

We head off to have lunch and explore.  By the river we find a rundown arcade type of place with dodgems and a funny lake with dilapidated peddle boats.  Its an odd kind of place but nice and quiet compared to Mandalay and there are picturesque bits like this view from the bridge at the edge of town.  There are hills overlooking the town and we hope to do some trekking while we’re here to see the hill tribes who live in the surrounding villages.

When we get back to our guest house there are a group of people in the bar who have taken the train and we’re a little jealous!  Later on Andy is playing violin in our room and one of them, Johnathan, knocks on the door to say hi.  Fred is sitting in the bar later and he asks her to join them.  They are waiting for a guide to turn up as they want to go on a two day, one night trek tomorrow.  We have been thinking about doing the same one but on our own so Fred waits with them to hear what the guide has to say.  Andy joins her towards the end and before we know it, we’re booking to go on the trek with them and their guide, Mr Sai!  We were going to have a day’s chill time but they seem like a nice bunch and its a good price so why not.  

We have dinner with them then pack an overnight bag and get some sleep.  We’re looking forward to tomorrow.