Myanmar Mountain Biking

[Colin]

Well, we did get to take in a bit of Mountain biking while we were in Myanmar (Burma), courtesy of Jochen at Laguna Lodge, Ngapali beach where we were staying and Min-Min who led us on a 41 mile ride in the hinterland away from the coast up into the hills behind Thandwe (Sandoway) in Rakhine state.
We did a stiff climb to a reclining Buddha on a hill, followed by a river crossing by a small boat, then a cross country tour through some villages over several rickety bridges followed by a wade across another river and then finally some quite good bits of singletrack both alongside a river and also some nice swooping up and down bits on light sandy trails.
Finally for just a buck or two, the nice men will wash the bike off for you!
That's the missus in most of the shots and just the one of me.
Sorry for using Treks, I couldn't find a PRO~FLEX!!








Col.

[Spokes]

Wow,  looks like you had an awesome holiday. I guess it would have been a bit much to pack a couple of Proflexs into your luggage so your forgiven.

Chris

[Willie_B]

Looks like "she who must be obeyed" is happier crossing the river than the bridge. Looks like a grand adventure and fun too.

[Colin]

Ha ha, yes, she "refused" on a couple of bridges! But then again they were seriously rickety! Almost "North shore" style!
I just went for the "hell for leather" approach and "hope for the best"!
Then again, she had been a good girl and stayed on the right side of the road for Myanmar but had then been "buzzed" by that motorbike, who decided to take precedence on her "line"............

But, some bridges were better than others!


I think the sign above me on this one says "no riding allowed" as it is just a dry season bridge that they take down in the monsoon and then put up again the next year!

It was amazing to get out amongst the countryside; it's possible that we were some of the first European faces they have seen since the British left Burma in 1948, or maybe it was just the wierd polystyrene egg boxes we were wearing on our heads that caused a stir? <GRIN>

This is what the local taxi service looks like!


Yes, a great adventure, visiting some of the oldest and most impressive Buddhist temples and monastries in south east asia and also doing some great adventures. like; hiking in the hills in Shan state and elsewhere, through hill tribe villages, including the "long neck" women of the Padaung tribe;


A slow boat down the Irrawaddy from Mandalay; Sunrise over the temples at Bagan; Local train ride around Rangoon; "stage coach" rides around Maymo hill station; sunset at the longest teak bridge in the world; boat trips on Lake Inle; Scuba diving with a Myanmar Navy instructor; and finally a week on one of the best and least developed beaches in the world, Ngapali.



Col.