Across the jungle
The next morning starts early, very, very early to be exact, because at 5:30 o’clock Myint wants us to see the sunrise. This time we drive with a real car a short ride by the city. When we arrive at the foot of a hill the first question is: Do you have flashlights with you? Well, what can I say we’re Europeans, we have cell phones. And he is right that hiking boots would have been better than flip flops for our ascent to the temple. That scares me a little. Anyway, our guide runs in the finest Asian hiking equipment and Micro’s foot doesn’t fit into a sneaker anyway thanks to the open wounds. Now there’s no way back anyway, so why worry.
So at 5:45 we leave. The trail is wet from the morning dew and extremely slippery. To the right and left the plants grow waist-high and for the most part one cannot recognize the way any more because the bushes are so dense. Besides, it’s pitch-black, not even the moon lights up our way anymore and the cell phone torch doesn’t really work either. I’m also worried that if I fall I’ll throw my phone across the jungle and probably never find it again. At least not without an encounter with various snakes and other crawling animals.
Did you know that Myanmar is the country where snakebites are the third leading cause of death? Very reassuring idea when walking through the jungle with flip flops. I should have listened to my mama and packed my hiking boots.
After a 30 minute walk through dense scrub we finally reach the golden stupa, from which we have a wonderful view over the village. And so far we are also the only tourists. About 45 minutes later we see 2 flashlights in the bushes further down the mountain and another 30 minutes later a monk joins us. With the coming descent, a little spiritual support is not going to hurt. Apparently we also need the spiritual support, because it doesn’t take long until I really fall down on the slippery path. With camera in hand. But luckily nothing happens. And another miracle! I love this country!
Next: The Temples of Mrauk U