Thaton - Why Not?
Trip Start
Feb 01, 2010
1
5
Trip End
Feb 12, 2010
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Thaton, Mon State, Myanmar
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I got up at 6:00 am, ate breakfast and then walked to the bus station to catch my 7:30 bus to Thaton. This trip was definitely more crowded, hot and uncomfortable than my Bagu journey. The road also was poorer and being stuck at the back in a centre seat made conditions less than optimal. Then there was the old lady constantly burping beside me and another a few rows ahead throwing up (into a bag thankfully). But mercifully at about 11:00 am, and sooner than I expected, we arrived in Thaton.
I quickly got off the bus and started to wander around the town a bit. I had seen a big sign for a guesthouse but could not find the place easily. It was very hot so after a bit more wandering I stopped at an ice cream shop and had some delicious ice coffees. Finally, I asked the young girl about a hotel and she eventually was able to give me a rough map drawing. So I headed off and eventually found a place with a room but with no private bath for ten bucks. Not finding the place that appealing, I decided to continue looking and found another guesthouse that had no available rooms. So I finally continued on to one last place I'd seen before which had a decent room for fifteen dollars which I took. After a couple hour nap, I then headed off walking the streets once more.
This time I headed for more back roads and again found myself host to more curious looks but perhaps not so many "hellos". Maybe this is a difference between the two provinces or perhaps a reflection of the fact that Thaton seemed more economically advanced than Bago with more paved streets and somewhat nicer "rural" homes? At any rate, I still felt very peaceful and relaxed, other than the fact it was bloody hot!
After an hour or two of wandering, I found myself along a road/trail that appeared to be headed up the hill where I could see a golden pagoda. Not really interested in seeing the temple, I did continue along until I was approached by a very friendly fellow who showed me his home and told me about the small rubber planatation he operated with his father. It was quite interesting and the fellow was very hospitable.
Eventually, I headed back to the hotel to rest and recover from all the heat I had experienced. Later in the early evening, I wandered out again to find something to eat. Walking by some street food vendors, I finally decided to try some interesting noodles which ended up being mixed by hand with part of a rice ball and some sauce. I then sat at the next stall beside and enjoyed various animal innards that had been boiled. It was all quite a tasty dinner and much fun as well trying to communicate with the ladies. And that was about how I spent my first night in Thaton....in the company of some friendly local folk once again.
The next day I had a late start and first of all went in hunt of some coffee. This was easy enough to get and resulted in me spending a good part of the morning at a coffee shop and then later a nearby restaurant for lunch. In both cases, people watching and having brief chats with folks was an enjoyment.
At dinnertime, I returned to the street where I eventually ended up at the street stall I went to last night. I then spent about 3 hours chatting with Ma May, the sweet 19 year old, the other vendors and customers on the street. Ma May was a 19 year old headed to university in a few months and I also was introduced to her friends, parents and brother who came by the street stall. I got some nice photos and had a very relaxed and pleasant time. In the end, Ma May even dropped me off to my hotel on her motorbike. It was a great ending to my stay in the small city of Thaton!
