Kalaw Interlude, 2009

This is the twelfth part of our 2009 Burmese Odyssey. To read more about our 2009 bash which includes many non-steam items, please see Rob and Yuehong in the Golden Land 2009.

The British are long gone but signs of their occupation linger, though perhaps not so prominently as in Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo). This is the rather seedy Kalaw hotel:

Their houses have sometimes found other uses, this is the local UNDP office, not shown is one of their monster white air-conditioned SUVs parked outside which must send a totally inappropriate message to recipients of their largesse.

In Kalaw, you don't have to save up to buy a poinsettia for Christmas / New Year, they line the roadside:

The glory, though, is more than a bit faded, the local public park has an unconventional lawn mower with young assistant:

Burmese road signs are a delight, note the mother who has more than kept her shape and the 'sleeping traffic lights':

Kalaw is truly multicultural, a legacy of the British army who brought Indians and particularly Nepali (Gurkha) people here. It seem every one of the abundant pagodas has a rival religious establishment opposite:

The Nepalese Buddhist temple makes for a pleasant change:

The British not only built churches for themselves, this is the modest St. Katherines:

They also let loose their missionaries on the hill peoples, this is the magnificent Kayin (Karen) Baptist built in 1918:

The biggest thing that happened during our visit was a local Shan (Buddhist) wedding, the 'happy' couple in the first white car both looked like they were on their way to an execution:

If you're looking for a disco or a karaoke, don't come to Kalaw. The best we can manage is the local army band practising:

It being Chinese New Year, a lunchtime tipple is in order:

After which all you can do is take an afternoon nap, then lie back and enjoy the sunset:

Unlike Pyin U Lwin, there are very few motorcycles, but there are signs of change here. Land prices are rocketing, a few large modern houses are going up and the existing guest houses and small hotels are being joined by ugly concrete monstrosities, the worst of which is undoubtedly the Chinese (inevitably) Winner Hotel on the main road through town. Get here soon... 

It was time to head south.