Mawlamyine city sight seeing

We woke up to a really warm morning. We knew from yesterday that it is really hot during the day but it was a surprise just how hot. The breakfast was - well, basic - and we headed out into the morning traffic and walked around just looking at buildings and people and everyday life. The atmosphere is very different from the rest of our Myanmar experience so far.

Very few tourists, not too many big tourist land marks except for temples and pagodas and very limited tourist infrastructure. Which means lots more Myanmar - and we like that. In the afternoon we had to go back to the coffee place - for the coffee and the air condition. Midday is just too hot, that is +35 degrees, so the only thing to do is head for shade. We got to talk to the owner of the coffee place and had his story - a young guy coming from Yangon and now having his own business including a first floor KTV, which was easy to hear in the coffee shop. They also love the karaoke here in Myanmar.

Later we walked back to a local place on the corner of the road and a whole family doing noodles, local bread and other staple food. So we sat there, had tea, sweet bread with sugar, later some noodles and then some flat bread and side dishes that had a distinct Indian flavour. Just before sunset we walked a bit further, found a small temple to visit and one of the guys showing us around there gave us a bit of the story behind the temple. Looking down the road we could see a Christian church at the end of the road and a mosque in the middle - with the most beautiful adhan being called out. Sometimes it is nice to be reminded that different religions can live side by side.

We walked down to the river, the darkness now coming fast meaning that the night market was open. It was busy down there and we stopped for a small snack just to get the feeling of this busy and friendly place. Then we walked further down until we got to the beer garden - sponsored by Tuborg and had a couple of draught beer before heading home. What a great day.

Our hotel from the outside

First supermarket and mall in town - grand opening tomorrow

Afternoon coffee

The big pagoda on the hilltop

Buddha shopping

Downtown Mawlamyine

Malene going to the kitchen to order food

Almost like in India

Noodles and fried egg

Evening temple visit with local guide

Evening market 

Feet - anyone?