The main reason why I wanted to visit Myanmar is because it has only been open to international tourism for a few years and it is unspoiled from that perspective.\u00a0 There is a vast difference between Myanmar and its wealthier, more developed neighbour, Thailand, but that is the essence of Myanmar that makes it such an interesting, wondrous country – it is the way it is and has been for ages.<\/p>\n
Myawaddy is a bustling, busy city because it is at the border with Thailand and is on a main supply route to the interior. Traffic is crazy, the sound of hooters drowns out almost any other noise.<\/p>\n
There is a lovely new highway to Kawkareik, just 40 kms distant but the village itself is still quaint and in its own time zone.\u00a0 The villagers shop at the local market which spills into the streets and you traverse it slowly, wending your way between dogs, chickens, people, cars, scooters and vans, piles of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish stalls, cell phone shops and restaurants.<\/p>\n
Hpa An is the capital of the Kayin (Karen) state but has remained undisturbed for years.\u00a0 Now that the highway is being built to link Myawaddy with Hpa An, the city is undergoing a metamorphosis.<\/p>\n\n\t\t