Rain, rain, go away >> Travel: Laos, Myanmar, Thailand 17

Oct 14: Night, Bagan

We could not visit any ruins today because the rain turned firm earth into brown sludge. The ground around the ruins was too muddy to walk around barefoot. For our untried, unschooled feet, that is. Besides, we were rather worried about earth-borne parasites. The locals appeared much less concerned about the fate of their feet.

At 8.30am, in steady drizzle, our horse cart driver promptly appeared outside our hotel. We quickly made our way to where Mr Khin Zaw had parked. Man, horse and cart were dripping in the rain. He appeared resigned and a little dismayed that we wanted to postpone the day's ramble. Since we agreed to pay him for each trip completed, he was eager to try the next day. We told him we would go if the weather was good, but we know he would appear promptly again the next morning.

I do not know about Annie, but I am glad for this respite. We are still aching from our trudge back from New Bagan two days ago and our ruins ramble yesterday. This just shows how little exercise our legs get back home!

But, the sore muscles were a tiny price for the smorgasbord of sensory delights offered by Bagan. Certainly, the most atmospheric ruins are the less visited ones. No one to pester us to buy another postcard, change money or give a candy, a haven for us and a chance to contemplate the past in peace.

Back in our room, we were shocked when we switched on the TV and saw scenes of the devastation left by the Bali bombers. It was so surreal watching images of death and destruction on screen in our quiet, aircon room, thousands of miles away, in another tourist village seeped in centuries of war and peace.

Budget (for two in US$ or kyat as indicated)

Room >> US$8
Lunch >> K1,200
Dinner >> K1,650

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Bagan in brown (sludge)