Greetings from Hong Kong where it’s hot and humid, rainy and sunny all at the same time.
And very political.
We are off to Myanmar at the end of next month, as soon their monsoon begins to abate.
That’s September 28th to October 6th and October 5th – 13th. It’s coming up soon.
Why do I love Myanmar?
The people for sure.
Also cause so few tourists go there…or go where we go!
And also cause it feels like the Asia I landed in 28 years ago -rural, curious generous, warm, infectiously friendly.
Its old South East Asia with spiritual traditions still integrated into everyday life, even in the cities.
And it is a country with a gentle pace!
Pull up at a set of traffic lights in Mandalay, and there will be a seller offering you the opportunity to make a flower offering to Buddha right there in your vehicle.
Taxi drivers hang strings of jasmine from their car mirrors next to the religious pendants.
They say the scent relaxes their minds, and makes the ride enjoyable for others.
It’s what Bike Aways strives to be…. the slow-down-and-smell-the-jasmine cycling company.
Sunset ride around the “Glass Palace” in Mandalay.
Slow travel – a sentry feast!
On a bike you feel the the rise and fall of the landscape, and enjoy the wind in your face when the lay of the land turns in your favour i.e. downhill!
You build up a thirst for a beer which is the best beer ever, and you cultivate an appetite that makes each meal beyond enticing.
Myanmar is the next foodie destination. It’szymology heaven. Many products at the local markets look like they could be immediately imported to Bondi Beach and placed in a glass jar next to the bliss-balls and paleo crackers.
On our Myanmar rides we commission the families of our guides and mechanics who have pleasant and rustic abodes along our route, to open up their homes and prepare traditional dishes cooked with love and authenticity.
Food is the reason we ride.
It’s also the best way to meet and and laugh with the locals.
Dinner at our guide’s home in Bagan; two hundred times tastier than the local restaurants and specials because they felt like our own family.
Asaar asaa.
Nine days is not nearly long enough to sample a national cuisine but we try.
Myanmar is an ethnically diverse country – so there’s a lot of food styles to cover even between Mandalay, Bagan, and Inle Lake.
“Food style” translates as Assar Assa in Myanmarese – and we include one Assar Asaa on each day of the ride, listed on the itinerary under this same heading.
Here’s an example:
There’s salads (including the famous green tea leaf salad), curries, soups, stir fries and a tonne of deep fried snacks, but a favourite of mine for atmosphere is the tea house breakfast on day 3 at Myingyan.
Tea houses vary depending on the owner. Many are South Asia influenced and feature samosas and puris, dosas and naan.
They are food theatre – chapatis are cooked in wood fire ovens, tea is poured thick and sweet , and the service is swift and with attitude.
Tea shop in Myingyan, Upper Burma, Myanmar.
Local experiences are really important to us on our rides but staying in palatial paradise is too. All the accommodation on this trip is very good but Mount Popa is a standout – a boutique hotel overlooking the stunning Popa volcanic plug with its golden spired crown of temples. Popa is the home of Myanmar’s pre buddhist gnats – who are mischievous spirits and best viewed from a distance, and with a cocktail, by an infinite pool.
Mount Popa Resort with Mount Popa in the background..
We have two trips for October this year.
Full itineraries with food notes are linked here and in the brochure attached.
28 September -October 6th (USD2080) and October 5th – 13th (USD 2280).
Incentive Deal
Refer a friend onto any Bike Aways 2019 Myanmar ride and receive a ten percent discount on your own Myanmar trip (or the equivalent on another trip) once their booking is paid and successfully completed.
Two friends=20 percent
Three friends=30 percent
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See you on the slow road to Mandalay!