Day 5: Wed 4 Nov - Kanchanaburi to Dawei, Burma (Myanmar)

Day 2: Kanchanburi - Dawei (85km) Breakfast at the hotel. We cycle to see the death railways and follow the River Kwai Noi and head to Phu Nam Ron border. We cross the border to Myanmar and continue cycling to complete 80km. Then we transfer to Dawei. Dinner and overnight in Dawei. 

85km cycle, fine and hot, 28-35deg

Up very early for a wander around the resort and to take some photos.  Then had an amazing brekky in what was a very swish hotel.  Pity we weren't staying longer, but we have kms to get under our wheels, this is not a sit around the pool tour.  Rode away from the hotel at 8:15am onto a smooth (hot mix) wide verge. The roads here (Thailand) have improved dramatically over the last 10 years, so much so that they are now streets ahead of us, pun intended.  In addition, the motorists were much more courteous and every vehicle gave us a wide berth or waited behind us until it was safe to overtake. Similar to Europe really. 

72km and a few temples later, we are getting close to the Burmese border so it was time to load the bikes on the ute for the border crossing. And what a border crossing!! Not that any of us had a problem; it was the guides, one from Laos and the other from Cambodia, who held us up for about an hour sorting out paperwork in various forms. Not their fault just a misunderstanding about the requirements for ASEAN nationals. It was finally sorted out and we were transferred through the no-man’s-land to the Burmese border crossing.  This is where the fun started, but it soon wasn't funny as we waited around for over two hours while dozens of border staff sat around and chatted and played table tennis. It certainly is a third-world country, particularly in attitude.  There seems to be a connection between inefficiency of public servants and dictatorships.  Finally sorted, we hit the road in a mini-bus, on a very rough, windy, dusty dirt road - for over three hours. And they had to have the aircon turned off due to the engine overheating.  Although it was a good chance to check out the locals and the way they live.

At 7:15pm we pulled into our motel, the Crown Diamond, which sort of made up for the rather rough day.  It was very cool, clean, huge rooms and all so modern. Just time for a shower and dress for dinner.  The restaurant was excellent, a choice of food from about eight different countries and nice Burmese beer; just to wash the dust down of course. 

An interesting day; and a new country for me. Looking forward to seeing the real Burma.

No fuss, everyone just waits!

Another temple, there is one built everyday

Now, she would be handy around the house and yard

Morning tea stop beside the road

Goats this time

Bikes ready for the border crossing

Waiting, waiting, ......

The transfer across no-mans land

Showered, changed, fed and watered

My visa

Stamp in my passport