After a day and a bit loving the Hsipaw countryside, I couldn’t help but stay another. So when does this serious hardcore biking malarkey start then? I hear ya! But sod it, who am I to resist the charms of 4 (yes 4!) different languages, spoken by different Shan villages over the course of a 16 mile (8 up / 8 down) trek?!
At the time of writing, the trekking here in Hsipaw is renowned as being far more authentic then most if not all well know trekking spots in South East Asia. Tourism is still fresh here and the people unchanged by its forces.
During the trek we learnt how to make traditional soy bean patties, enjoyed some spectacular Shan food at the guide’s family house and ate a variety of fresh fruit and veg picked en-route – ok, the tiny but extremely potent chillies might have been a step too far.
But, the highlight of the day by some way, had to be the Shan villager experiencing binoculars for the first time. Totally awe inspired, sure to be in his late twenties, his beaming smile and absolute amazement were beyond imitation.
That night, whilst others dipped beer and ate ice cream waffles, I endured the bus ride from hell to make back lost time. An 8 hour / 80 km return slog to Pyin Oo Lwin.
I stayed again in the Orchid Nan, this time sharing a room with an Englishman, about to lose enough poo to sink a battleship.
Much fun has been had, though sleep elusive.
After a day and a bit loving the Hsipaw countryside, I couldn’t help but stay another. So when does this serious hardcore biking malarkey start then? I hear ya! But sod it, who am I to resist the charms of 4 (yes 4!) different languages, spoken by different Shan villages over the course of a 16 mile (8 up / 8 down) trek?!
At the time of writing, the trekking here in Hsipaw is renowned as being far more authentic then most if not all well know trekking spots in South East Asia. Tourism is still fresh here and the people unchanged by its forces.
During the trek we learnt how to make traditional soy bean patties, enjoyed some spectacular Shan food at the guide’s family house and ate a variety of fresh fruit and veg picked en-route – ok, the tiny but extremely potent chillies might have been a step too far.
But, the highlight of the day by some way, had to be the Shan villager experiencing binoculars for the first time. Totally awe inspired, sure to be in his late twenties, his beaming smile and absolute amazement were beyond imitation.
That night, whilst others dipped beer and ate ice cream waffles, I endured the bus ride from hell to make back lost time. An 8 hour / 80 km return slog to Pyin Oo Lwin.
I stayed again in the Orchid Nan, this time sharing a room with an Englishman, about to lose half his body-weight to a rather relentless case of diereahh.
Much fun has been had, though sleep elusive.
