W elcome T o
MYANMAR
A
ccidental and somewhat op-
portunistic was how my trip
to Karen State in Myanmar
occurred, it turned out to be
quite the adventure and an
interesting experience.
I’d entered the country numerous
times over the course of a few days,
discovering that there are many
border crossings throughout Western
Tak, both over land and river, and to
my surprise I encountered few issues
crossing into the Karen State as a
foreigner.
The original plan was to head to
Umpang for the weekend to check
out Thi Lor Su, I had been meaning
to come down that way for a while …
one thousand, two hundred and nine-
teen corners on the road down from
Mae Sot. Low cloud, fog and rain.
I’m sure it would have had some awe-
some views if I’d been able to see it.
First stop was Mae Sot, I’d heard
about a "special economic zone" in
Myawaddy and decided to check it
TRAVERSE 39
out. Calling the casino and hotel be-
forehand to check if it was alright for
foreigners to stay without a visa, I was
told “no problem”.
Thinking it would be cool to stay
in Myanmar for the night, I parked
my bike on the Thai side and took the
30 second boat ride to the Myanmar
side. No visas or passports. They
didn't even ask for ID when I checked
into the hotel.
Off to a market stall for a Myanmar
beer, easy to find with a stroll from
the front door and wander around.
The Myawaddy complex is a nice
enough place. Nice restaurants by the
river Moei. Cheap booze available at
the duty free. The hotel was pricey if
not nice … it’s all relative of course.
The following day I set off for Ump-
ang. Back on the boat and back on the
bike after a breakfast.
On the road to Umpang saw the day
overcast with the occasional shower.
With a proper soaking I’d decided to
pull in for an ice cream and drink.