A Shan wedding

The first nice thing that happened today was when I felt a tap on the shoulder and turned round to see a dear friend of my late daughter, here on a cycling holiday. What a happy coincidence.

Jenny and I got the bus to the train station, but first stopped at a monastery famous for monks sitting in the windows. Those who were looked fed up, but the old frescoes and mirror tiles were stunning. (Thankfully, not "restored"). Near the station a wedding was taking place. It's not often you get invited in off the street to a wedding reception - how hospitable is that. We were plied with food, and had pictures taken. (You won't be seeing the blip of Sweaty Betty and the beautiful bride).

The local train was not as busy as expected as today is a big religious holiday. The two and a half hour journey jogged along at slow speed, through very colourful fields - the dark red of the ploughed sandy soil made a lovely contrast to the flax, chickpeas and sunflowers.

Our hotel, Dream Villa, is very nice, and the air, at 4200ft, is cooler here in Kalaw, which was used as a summer retreat during colonial times.

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