To Hpa-an
12.06.2017 - Jordan, Translation: Sixtine
The ascent of the river to Hpa-An
Barely awaken, we take our breakfast on the guest house’s terrace: on the first floor of a colonial house. It's not beautiful, but it's nice and welcoming, especially with the view on the river. And then, since it's early, we're enjoying fresh temperatures!
Today we are going to sail up.
Direction Hpa-an, a city situated a few kilometers north to Mwalamyine.
We embark on a small wooden boat with several other tourists. Rémi and Nina are in another boat, we'll meet at the end! Our journey lasts several hours, slow-speed, and against the flow. Right from the start we pass by boats where Burmese are fishing, with a rather rudimentary material. Brave Men!
We get to see a lot, the lights and the edges of the river are beautiful. We boat by villages surrounded by palm trees as well as banana crops. And all this, almost the same level as the water. With the sound of the engine, the temperature-related fatigue, it feels like it's in a dream, floating. The moment you realise you're happy, and that traveling is an amazing chance.
We arrive soon on Hpa-An, the villages on the water are evolving, getting closer to each other and bigger in size. Just like the children shouting 'hello' from distance. Western tourist privilege. We play the game as well, everyone is happy to salute these amazing burmese! Wooden planks constructions are built a little up to the water level in order to avoid flooding during the rainy season.
We leave Nina et Rémi, let's meet in Hpa-An!
Riversides are well cultivated
Hpa-An is shaped like a village, with a central market. Soon we find an inn where to spend the night and visit the surrounding area. Jealous of the Burmese makeup, we also want to buy 'Tanaka'! The bark of this wood, mixed with water, creates a paste to spread on the skin. It must be said that the ochre yellow colour on their skins gives a beautiful contrast. In addition to an aesthetic utility, it protects from sun rays!
Determined to find some, we go and buy it on a stand. If you want to attract the locals and see them laugh (kindly) at you, the best way is to test the tanaka with them! We find ourselves surrounded with a lot of Burmese, happy to share this aspect of their culture. It's a good way to create a conversation (poor but funny, because of to the language barrier)!
In the evening, we take advantage of a pagoda situated on the river. We thought we had seen the most beautiful colors of the sun in Mwalamyine. And then we were wrong! An orange-red, with an incredible intensity, invades the landscape and is reflected on the water of Than river. We are barefoot in this place of worship, the warmth of the soil is pleasant.
Some boats come to create a few waves on the river.
Second dream of the day.
Burma, you're amazing.
An usual Burmese Sunset, crazy.
Mwalamyine 2
Mwalamyine
Mae Sot
Paï 2
