SHANDY YEE MON
Shandy is a nature lover and yoga enthusiast
who loves travelling and connecting with
nature. She is also co-founder of Yoga Sojourn
which was established to share and spread
knowledge about yoga.04 Humble and friendly
village kids at Naung Pain
05 A farmer and his
buffalo in Hsipaw, a town
in Shan State
0504Lwin through Nawnkhio town (remember
to eat the authentic Shan Noodle at
Nawnkhio for breakfast). But the second
time we decided to take the train itself.
The ticket costs US$8 for a round trip
from Mandalay or Pyin Oo Lwin towards
Lashio and vice versa. The train only has
one route a day due to its single track, so
plan ahead and don’t miss the departure
time which is at four in the morning from
Mandalay. Slowly, it climbs up to Pyin
Oo Lwin in a series of zig-zags to reach
the mountain top of this City of Flowers.
After Pyin Oo Lwin, it snakes through
the countryside to the spectacular and
breathtaking Gokteik Viaduct.
Along the journey, you don’t need to
worry about going hungry, for there are
people selling drinks, food and fruits when
the train passes by the villages. This is
the time when you can do some shopping
through the train windows. There is a small
local tea shop at Gokteik station where we
had a cup of hot tea and some snacks.
As the train is about to approach the
viaduct, it will slow down, so that’s the
best time to take in the spectacular view
around the bridge. You can alight here to
have a feel of what it’s like to walk on the
viaduct. The feeling was simply amazing –
remember to look down to see the disused
wooden train track.
Once the train crosses the bridge,
you’ll get into Goktwin, another spot for
photo-taking. We did not go all the way
to Lashio – instead we alighted at the
next station in Naung Pain and waited for
the return train which would not be for
another two hours.
Here is a taste of rural Myanmar,
the countryside along the tracks with its
customs and traditions well-preserved.
All around us buffalos, cows, chickens and
goats roamed in front of every house. We
bought fresh fruits, vegetables and spoke
to the villagers who led a very simple life
and who were so humble.
After our long and exciting adventure,
we headed out of Shan State and into
Pyin Oo Lwin, the charming colonial town
that is famed for the National Kandawgyi
Gardens, its coffee plantations and
colonial buildings. Pyin Oo Lwin is also
famous for its strawberry wine and plum
wine, which are my favourite, and I always
buy them for my father whenever I visit.
In the coming years, Myanmar’s
tourism will be booming, so it’s best to
discover the country before it’s developed
and civilised. Nothing remains unchanged
forever. AGPMaxim Malkov/Flickr