Mon 13th November: Kalaw – Pinlaung

Up and out on the road early again. Everyone has tired legs now and is beginning to feel the lack of sleep so it takes us all a little longer to warm up and get going. And especially so today as we awoke to a misty and cool morning on the high plain.  

We rode higher and higher into the mountain mist and were occasionally rewarded with a stunning view as the morning mist lifted to reveal a stunning mountainous landscape all around us. We rode through green paddy fields, mountain passes, Pa-O villages and beautiful countryside. As usual the roads were lined by many local people who were excited to see us and wave to us as we passed by.

At around halfway we reviewed our 7th health centre: an older style building with well kept grounds and meticulously kept records of its patients and achievements. It also had its own ambulance! The staff were very friendly and cooperative and we learned a great deal from their information. We left feeling that it was a well run facility.

Much of the remaining riding was on fairly rough unpaved roads with many areas of roadworks. Although several heavy rain clouds threatened we escaped with just one short shower. Eventually after more than 70km we approached the town of Pinluang in the distance, our stay for the night and a welcome relief. Shortly after arrival we experienced our first torrential rainfall and we all felt lucky to have missed it out on the road!