Rocking and rolling to Thazi

Mandalay – Thazi by train

The perfect alarm clock at 4.19am as the neighbouring mosque called it’s followers to prayer. It got us out the door to the train station at 5am. Was still dark and the heart got racing with 4 dog chases (at one stage Andy off the bike chasing the dog that was chasing me) we cycled the short 1km to the station.

Express train to Thazi which does go all the way to Yangon. Not sure about the life insurance on the ticket for 80k which is 80c

Not too much action at the station at 5am but a lot of people sleeping, some looked like it was their permanent home and others maybe waiting to catch trains.

Betty and Nancy all on board the luggage compartment tied by a bit of string fixed to the carriage wall shared with the above luggage, a few veges and boxes.

Really impressed with our upper class seats for NZ$2. Comfy soft seat, and an automatic recline function when the track was super bumpy! Windows that opened and we could see out of if we stood up and even ceiling fans. What more would you want………….maybe a coffee?

We rocked and rolled our way down the tracks settling in for the 3 hour journey. It was absolutley awesome and exceeded expectations with so much to take in, especially when stopping at stations.

About 4 stops later we bounced into Thazi. As quick as we could, we got our gears off to get to the luggage carriage which was the other end of the train from “upper class”. Halfway down the platform the speaker goes on and we see guys hauling Betty and Nancy off the train. Our brisk walk turns into a run to rescue them and help them get off the train and no more than 10seconds later the train pulls out. Super close call and a few scratches on Nancy but no major damage.

We were lucky enough to check in at 9am went next door to a tea house and then on the bikes for some exploring.

This town is unreal. Has a great feel to it, people amazingly friendly, and feels like we have stepped back in time to another world.

Was time for an ice cream as 37deg

This lovely family sold ice cream and rice. Odd combination, icies and ricies in Thazi’ s.

Continuing to explore the back streets of Thazi by bike we find this

Wow what a day. An overload to take in but we are definitely getting our Myanmar Mojo. Mandalay was too busy and hectic for us, even though it was great. We prefer these small towns where we can explore by bike and see the locals way of life.

Tomorrow an early start with the “slow train” through the Mountains to Kalaw and from there on we are hoping to get pedaling.