I want a cell phone with a thermometer. It was so hard getting out from under all the covers this morning because of the cold. I cannot really say what the temperature may have been. 8C? Only after Jay had plugged in the immersion heater and made 3-in-one coffees, did I rise. This room corner room with windows on the south and east was perfect because as soon as the sun was up, it was warming me up. During the day it probably got up to 25C.
Our hotel provided a breakfast. We didn't have much local currency remaining, not even enough for our day's plans. We went to the one and only bank in Kalaw and found the exchange closed on weekends. We were going to walk back to our hotel to see what rates it'd give when we saw a shop selling among other items, bus tickets. We already knew we want to head to Mandalay tomorrow. Sure enough, he was able to get us on a 7:30 morning small bus.
We also asked about going 40 kilometers to the town of Pindaya and the famous temple caves. It seems as if it is only possible by taxi, 1.5 hours each way, for a total of about $40. (One really has the driver for the day as he waits as long as needed.). However our ticket guy said he had arranged one for a tourist yesterday who might be willing to share. It turned out perfectly. We didn't make it back to the hotel but went along with a Russian tourist. He lectures a few months a year and writes economic textbooks in order to fund nearly full-time travel.
The Pindaya Caves are filled with thousand and thousands of Buddhist images. They come from all over the world and most are fairly recent additions. Necertheless, it is a spectacular to witness. If you look up the caves on Wikipedia, you will be able to see a local legend which involves a princess and a giant spider as well.
We sort of ended up skipping lunch and got back at 3:45. We were able to settle our bill directly in US dollars with the older guy who got our travel organized. He was of Nepali heritage as his grandparents had come here. He told of days before the 1961 government takeover when every shop in town was owned by Indian businessmen. The businesses were appropriated and most left to return to their former country empty handed. By chance we ate our lunch/dinner at an Indian restaurant next door. The owners looked Indian but spoke Burmese only.
We're back in the hotel. It is getting dark and therefore cold again too.