We have rented a car with a driver at the hotel as there is no bus to Kakku. But first we go up to the roof to have breakfast, you will not believe what breakfast is: a porra (delicious), a kind of giant crust, fruit, juice, coffee or tea, eggs, pancake and soup in the traditional style shan and everything spectacular, we started the day well.
Kakku Pagodas
It takes about two hours to reach Kakku via Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, lots of traffic.
Local people in Kakku Pagodas
Kakku is a complex of about 2,500 stupas, some of them rebuilt, almost all of them made of bricks. At the top is a temple with Buddhas and views of a lake and mountains. Very beautiful. We met a couple of Spaniards and they confirm that Hsipaw is closed, they have not been able to go either. They tell us that there is a small pond as you enter on the right hand side from which you can take some incredible pictures and they are right. In the pond we meet another Spanish couple and a Mexican girl taking pictures, because the pagodas are reflected in the water of the pond. The locals do not understand anything and come curious. The truth is that they make the photo more interesting.
Kakku Pagodas
There is a restaurant in front of the complex, it is so hot that we have some beers and snacks.
Kakku is one of the highlights of Shan State, although honestly we didn't think it was essential, if you have the chance to go there do it but it's not indispensable.
Our driver is called Mistacho, he is very nice and brings us back on a road that goes down to the east side of Inle Lake. It begins to pour, it seems that the sky has fallen. We stop at the Red Mountain Winery, the views of the lake are beautiful, we order a red and white wine and a plate of bacon. Not bad for Burmese wine.
On the way back to Nyaungshwe we climb up and walk around the Mingala market.
Nyaungshwe sunset
We go back to the hostel, they offer us towels and a bath to shower and change. While we wait they offer us a snack, they are adorable. We are picked up by a thoun bein to get to Nyaungshwe bus station.
Around 8pm our bus leaves for Mandalay. The bus is different with individual seats and as always we are given a bottle of water. It is comfortable, with a blanket and headrest. We fall asleep and suddenly, the driver's companion turns on the lights and tells us to get off, we don't understand what is going on. It turns out that the bus goes through a scanner and therefore we all have to get off at the military checkpoint.
We stop for dinner (every two hours they stop to eat and stretch their legs. The air conditioning is on full blast as usual.
Bus ticket to Mandalay: 17,000 MMK per pax.
Kakku pagodas ticket: 15.000 MMK per pax.
Lunch: Kakku restaurant 11.550 MMK.
Red Mountain Winery: 2 glasses of wine and a plate of bacon 9.000 MMK.
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