Later that evening, I trundled off to the Vista Bar, as the place was rumoured to have
great views of the Shwedagon Pagoda at night. While the view wasn’t disappointing, I
failed to get the pictures envisaged. The reason was that the speakers' vibration (albeit
providing excellent music) wasn’t good for long exposure shots. Sigh.
I returned to my abode on foot which turned out an exciting meander. The food stalls
were out, and people sat on plastic kindergarten chairs, eating pork offal and other
traditional dishes.
Yangon – Okekan – 110 km
More than happy to get back on my iron horse, I pedalled out of Yangon. Mercifully, the
weather wasn’t as hot as during my previous visit. Still, the weather was by no means
cool and I sweated buckets. A potholed road led north in Mandalay’s direction, passing
small settlements where water buffalo grazed in rice paddies and oxen pulled carts
laden with freshly cut rice stalks.
When travelling by bike, you get used to people observing you with great interest. From
time to time, I must remind myself the villagers find me as curious as I find them.
Nonetheless, this day I must’ve taken a villager by surprise as he exclaimed, “Sweet
Jesus!” I’ve never had a “Sweet Jesus” before; I must’ve looked particularly haggard.
In any event, I proceeded along my bumpy path until reaching the small village of
Okekan, a perfect place to call it a day. The Okkan Hotel was conveniently situated, and
it felt like each staff member came out to help unload the bicycle. They giggled and
laughed, supplied cold water, switched the air-con on, and put my bike in the storeroom.
I could have been mistaken for the Queen of Sheba!