The hills are alive with the sound of music

We left Bagan at 8am, making a quick stop at a workshop which uses  palm to make a number of products including some v tasty coconut sweets &  palm wine, before heading  to Kalaw.  The 6 hr drive took us along some badly made/maintained roads, up through mountains with magnificent views &  passing through v rural villages . Which is wonderful if you don't have an upset tummy which I did! Every bump threatened danger. Thankfully, before Something quite embarrassing happened, our driver stopped at what looked like a motorway service area, which appeared randomly and offered timely & significant relief. 
We arrived at our hotel mid afternoon & explored downtown Kalaw, quite a wealthy town, which used to be a retreat for the English during the colonial period to get away from the hot city. 
The following day we met our guide – Khet  and headed out for fabulous day of trekking for 20km off the beaten track. The first stretch of our walk – about 2 1/2hrs -  took us through a thick forest area and alongside a quiet, secluded lake with the trees reflecting in the water. To cross it we had to remove our boots & socks & walk along the top of a dam which was a little hairy as it was quite slippery & nothing to hold onto. The track then led us up quite steep terrain which, once we got to the top,  gave great views of completely unspoilt countryside & just the sound of the birds. Then onto a local village where we were to have lunch. On arrival in the village, music was being played at ear bleeding volume. Khet told us that this was a traditional wedding song so we headed up the hill to the highest part of the village to investigate &  were warmly greeted by locals &  invited to join them for tea & fruit which we accepted. They were so kind & friendly. outside we met the bride and groom sitting in what I can only describe as a wooden pay booth similar to one you might see in a car park. The bride wore a turban made up of different coloured ribbons each edged with beads and an embroidered jacket and belt. The groom also had an embroidered jacket. Next to them squeezed into the booth were too young girls- bridesmaids- described as the prettiest girls in the village. Khet told us that it was only in the last 10yrs, since education was introduced to the village that couples stopped marrying at 14yrs – this couple were in their 20’s (older than Mr L & I were when we got married). They were both from the local tribe which meant they could remain in the village otherwise they would have had to leave.
The bride and groom were delighted when Mr. L made a contribution to their money pot and as a thank you we were given a sachet of shampoo! Nothing says thank you more.

We went on to the home of our hosts for lunch who had a cute 2yr old boy who took a shine to Mr L. & his beard. Lunch was delicious although I struggled with the etiquette of sitting on the floor cross legged - I'm not built for it! As we left the village the children, all dressed in traditional clothing, were heading back to school & came to say hello and see us off. 
Back on the trail our route took us down onto the railway line. No sooner had I  asked Khet if this was safe, when I heard a train coming & we leapt off the tracks as it rumbled around the corner & flew past us– one of only 3 per day so weren't we lucky.  As we walked Khet pointed out all the crops being grown; ginger, garlic, avocado, sesame seeds, oranges etc – all things I have only ever seen in the supermarket. We also walked past terraced fields with water buffalo- grazing- fast becoming our second favourite  animal – then up through a bamboo forest. Every so often we would pass a small hamlet with traditional bamboo buildings, one being used as a shop/coffee shop. It was all so peaceful & unspoilt. We finished our trek at about 3.30pm, hot & dusty & ready for a shower but we would have to wait several hours, as we were heading straight  off to our next destination-  Inle Lake. It was a wonderful  day & one we will both remember with fondness .