Brief crossing on foot into Myanmar.

Myanmar was Burma, until a decade ago when Aung Song Suu Kyi was elected leader, and the miltary overthrew the government. This junta is still in power, and Suu Kyi is under house arrest more often than not, with all channels of communication cut. Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace prize, of course it is difficult to accept it if you can't leave your house.

Our group crossed a small river from Northern Thailand into Myanmar.

David and Brady were stopped by the Myanmari border guards upon entry, and questioned as to any connection with the nation of Bangladesh. We were permitted entry after a few questions and a few uneasy moments.

A bevy of rickshaws awaited our tour and whisked us to the local buddhist pagoda, after a stop at a local village well, used for drinking, cooking and washing, and a walk up a typical alley, with such features as handicraft sellers and peanut vendors, and, all the way at the end of the alley was a guy reclined on a mat, motionless and highly glazed, with his opium pipe next to him for the next time he got up the energy to roll over and have a hit.

SE Asia tour: Cambodia Thailand Myanmar Viet Nam Hotels

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