Kyaikto

After a few days of solo travelling I found some friends who were on the bus to the 'Golden Rock' with me. A mexican, a yank, 2 germans, 2 brits and a belgian. We all stayed in the same characterful hotel (the staff were rather entertaining) which was right in the centre of town. To get up to Mt Kyaiktiyo 40 people pile into the back of what is essentially a giant flat bed ute with bench seats and head up the windy road to the sacred rock. The half hour journey up the hill was more entertaining than the destination; holding on for dear life as the truck sped around corners and accelerated on downhill straights so it could get enough momentum for the uphills. The atmosphere at the top is a spectacle in itself. Hundreds of pilgrims and tourists descending on the summit, many of whom set up camp near the rock for worship. The rock was a little smaller than I was expecting but the way it is precariously balancing on the side of the mountain is rather impressive. Only men are able to touch it, women simply 'can't touch this'. Legend states that the boulder maintains its balance due to a precisely placed Buddha hair in the stupa. The journey down was even more thrilling as we were at the front (so could only see the back of the cab and not where we were going) and it was getting dark. Dinner was at a very authentic local restaurant where the bill for 6 people including drinks came to $17. I had green tea leaf salad which is a Burmese speciality.Read more