Middle-aged flash packers

We were all up surprising early considering what a late night we had. Having originally thought we’d have a lazy day, my thoughts turned to going on a cycle ride. Steve came up with the idea of cycling to a long bridge not too far away. Nik and Jan were up for it so off we went to find some bikes.

I was given a boy’s bike which was fine as it’s cool now to be gender fluid. The bicycle man spoilt it though by giving me an extra special gel seat cover as he had obviously checked out my bum and decided I needed a bit more padding. I don’t think he would have done this for a boy.

Jan and Steve were easily sorted but Nik pontificated and eventually settled on a lady’s bike. Gender fluid too eh? I never knew. I think he was attracted by the basket as he’d brought a hotel umbrella with him. As luck didn’t have it, it wouldn’t fit in the basket so he had to carry it. He was swiftly renamed Mary Poppins and kept this alter ego for the rest of the time.

It was a lovely bike ride. There was quite a bit of traffic but everyone beeps to let you know they’re coming so you know not to wobble and fall off into the road or do anything silly like that.

We eventually arrived at the bridge (it seemed a lot further than we had been led to believe) and wandered up and down it until Steve was hungry and we decided to get something to eat.

The meal of the day was Mary Poppins’s Tom yam soup. Billed as a small bowl, a tureen of the stuff arrived. Not to be beaten Mary did a brilliant job of eating it, although later when shopping for a longyi , it would wreak its revenge.

After eating a huge lunch and listening to the most eclectic mix of sixties and seventies hits we pedalled home and returned our gender fluid bikes.

Steve and I decided to have another massage as we enjoyed the last one so much. We went to a different place as the other one was busy but the quality of the massage was just as good.

Relaxed, we headed for home and entered a world of water. It was pouring with rain and obviously had been for sometime. We were pretty much soaked by the time we got back to our hotel.

Tomorrow we head for Bagan. It’s a very holy place, apparently there are over 2000 Buddhist monuments there. Looking forward to it but sad to leave Inle Lake.