Overland to Kengtung, Shan State, Burma

February 25-28, 2008

After a four hour bus ride form Chiang Mai to Mae Sai on the Burmese border, we cautiously leave our passports with the Burmese authorities and are issued a 14-day 'travel permit' that allows us to travel afield into Shan State: but only 2 places, Kengtung and Mong La.

Our driver meets us at Burma immigration with his Toyata, and for the next three hours we head north, winding along a beautiful river valley, until we reach Kengtung just before sunset....

pulling up his 'longyi' to sweep the leaves...

a picture of the Pope next to a whisky ad...

roadside scene....'shooting rabbits'

the bridge was washed out....

here we go!

the water ALMOST made it in the door.....

approaching the Kengtung valley

idyllic green rice paddies (in the dry season) as we neared Kengtung, mask one of the many realities behind the surface...that farmers here are forced to grow a second crop in order to feed the army...

typical village scene along the highway

one of the many toll booths we had to pass..

courtyard of the Sam Yod II hotel

'None' enjoying some refreshment after the long travel day....

Jeff and a 'ghost-boy' at the roadside grill

all kinds of interesting meat skewers for your selection

The Sam Yod I hotel

'nuff said

breakfast at the noodle shop

entrance to Kengtung market

FRESH honeycomb!

site of the old Shan palace

one of the remaining royal residences

Jom Tong stupa

Interestingly, there is a temple and town of the same name an hour south of Chiang Mai (Chomtong)

The Thai princess even visited here...

inside the temple

power nap

Kengtung town

amazing climbing orchids

city taxi

Burmese noodles!

a group of nuns on alms round in the market

count the number of stamps we got in about 4 days!

why bother with this kind of toilet?!

orange and tea orchards making their way