Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Mount Popa
I found a broken bracket this morning which we repaired and them cleaned oil filters and oiled the carbs.
The end of the test took us to Mount Popa resort hotel for lunch. It is a stunning spot looking out over a monestry 700 steps up an adjacent rock stack. We decided to climb the mountain after lunch. With a slightly jippy tummy and a long way up to the summit we set off with a guide. No one else seemed to want to join this exciting expedition in the heat of the day, under he relentless Burmese sun. 2 hours later we summited looking as if we had just got out of the sauna. Our guide on the other hand hadn't broken a sweat at all. He had spent most of the climb looking rather anxiously at me, wondering whether or not he was going to have to carry me down. Fantastic views from the top. Communications towers, the inevitable temple and a corrugated iron hut with at one end 1940's generator and electrical supplies and at the other a state of the art cellular base station being installed. The whole thing wide open for us to see. All the kit is being carried to the top by hand, strapping bamboo poles to the side of the box and carrying them the old fashioned way. Well no one else can claim a Burmese mountain on this trip.
I drove back as the sun was going down over Bagan a genuinely spectacular sight.
We decided not to go and have dinner in a Temple nearby with everyone else only to be joined by the usual team plus Dorothy and Alaistair Caldwell and Heidi. A very nice dinner, paid for exceptionally kindly by Xavier. Of cause on the way back to my room the lights all went out and the generator started up. Where is it located? You've guessed it, right outside my room!
Tomorrow we leave late on the way to Yangon. The car is running smoothly, we are both in excellent fettle and looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.
Monday, 3 February 2014
Snakes and rallying
Whilst ballooning yesterday, Nobby our pilot told us that Bagan is riddled with snakes. There are 20 different poisonous snakes in Burma, the worst being the Burmese Viper.
Doc John told us the story of two guys in the bush. One of them was bitten by a Burmese Viper on his todger. His mate called the doctor for advice. "unless you suck the poison out he will be dead in 30 minutes" the doctor advised. "what did he say? asked the poor fellow writhing in agony on the ground. " you're dead in 30 minutes" came the reply.
I'm afraid the the news of the snakes definitely impacted my approach to the rough, where I seemed to spend most of my time, during the Bagan Classic yesterday
30km regularity today which we must nail. Straightforward so the application of all technology, brain power and cunning is required. I think that Heidi (Lotus Cortina) will give us her calculations which she has got off Julian and Gus (Aston Martin) who have worked everything out to the second. We are in third place , 3 seconds behind Roger ad Maggie Allen and 49 seconds behind Jose and Maria.
The Aston broke both it's rear shock absorbers early in the rally which makes for uncomfortable driving. They flew out two new ones (£1500) which cost them $2500 in duty. They have already broken one of the new ones bottoming the car in a water gully. The good news is that they have a dust buster so their car is very tidy!
Dinner last night was in Burmese national costume. Though i say it myself I looked rater magnificent in flip flops, longue (like a sarong) and Burmese shirt which I acquired yesterday. Julian appeared in a ladies longue much to the surprise and amusement of the waiters. Hilarious!
Off to Mount Popo today to, much to my surprise, see a Pagoda!
Sent from my slyPad
Doc John told us the story of two guys in the bush. One of them was bitten by a Burmese Viper on his todger. His mate called the doctor for advice. "unless you suck the poison out he will be dead in 30 minutes" the doctor advised. "what did he say? asked the poor fellow writhing in agony on the ground. " you're dead in 30 minutes" came the reply.
I'm afraid the the news of the snakes definitely impacted my approach to the rough, where I seemed to spend most of my time, during the Bagan Classic yesterday
30km regularity today which we must nail. Straightforward so the application of all technology, brain power and cunning is required. I think that Heidi (Lotus Cortina) will give us her calculations which she has got off Julian and Gus (Aston Martin) who have worked everything out to the second. We are in third place , 3 seconds behind Roger ad Maggie Allen and 49 seconds behind Jose and Maria.
The Aston broke both it's rear shock absorbers early in the rally which makes for uncomfortable driving. They flew out two new ones (£1500) which cost them $2500 in duty. They have already broken one of the new ones bottoming the car in a water gully. The good news is that they have a dust buster so their car is very tidy!
Dinner last night was in Burmese national costume. Though i say it myself I looked rater magnificent in flip flops, longue (like a sarong) and Burmese shirt which I acquired yesterday. Julian appeared in a ladies longue much to the surprise and amusement of the waiters. Hilarious!
Off to Mount Popo today to, much to my surprise, see a Pagoda!
Sent from my slyPad
The Bagan Classic
After ballooning we went to the Bagan Golf Club for a repay of the Maymyo Classic which Xavier and I lost on the last putt.
After 2 holes Xavier and I were 1 down, and then Dougie screwed up allowing us back to all square. We were 2 up with 2 to play, 1 up with 1 to play and then Dougie drilled his drive into he rough n he left. Xavier and I both drove into the rough on the right. Julian then put his drive straight down the middle. Ahhhhhhhh....... We lost the 9th and drew the Bagan Classic.
Gutted we went into the club house. How did we let it slip through our fingers?
Off to visit a local village in the Lagonda and then a lacquer factory. Unbelievable craftsmanship.
Something for everyone today.
Sent from my slyPad
After 2 holes Xavier and I were 1 down, and then Dougie screwed up allowing us back to all square. We were 2 up with 2 to play, 1 up with 1 to play and then Dougie drilled his drive into he rough n he left. Xavier and I both drove into the rough on the right. Julian then put his drive straight down the middle. Ahhhhhhhh....... We lost the 9th and drew the Bagan Classic.
Gutted we went into the club house. How did we let it slip through our fingers?
Off to visit a local village in the Lagonda and then a lacquer factory. Unbelievable craftsmanship.
Something for everyone today.
Sent from my slyPad
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