Last november we went on a four day trip to Southern Chin State with Zaw Min Oo AKA Jack and AungPhone Myint Kyaw AKA James. They picked us up at our hotel in Bagan in the morning, with a four-wheel drive and a friendly, helpfull driver. And then our trip started. We did several stops on our way to Chin State. Amongst others we stopped at a field where people where busy with the harvest of Sesame seeds. And there we were, 100 years back in time. The people were all so friendly, showed us what they were doing and took time for us. Jack and James knew a lot of the history, nature and culture over the things we saw on our way.In the afternoon we first stopped for a great lunch in a nearby village and from there we went to our first stop for the night, a nice wooden house for us, where we left our things and went on our way to a little hiking a bit further. Because I am a little afraid of Heights and steep ways they made a walking stick for me, that was a great help and we had a great walk. All the people we met on our way where all so friendly. And we saw the first ladies with tattood faces over there. On our way back we stopped at a friends house, a priest, who made us home made lemonade, with alcohol, so the trip down was a lot easier, and also a delicious snack with chicken. Back at our stop we went to bed for an early rise the second day. Because you are in the mountains, it get's cold in the night, so remember to ask for an extra blanket.
On the second day, after a local breakfast, we started with a hike. Again beautiful nature and lovely people. After that we drove to the basecamp of Victoria Mountain, where Jack en James arranged motorbike 'taxi's'for us. Sometimes I had to close my eyes because of the heigts but the drove very safe. Before Climbing the last part we had our lunch, from the same restaurant as we had lunch the day before. Again, very good food! On top of the mountain a beautiful view over the area and after enjoying that for a while we went back to the base camp and further to our next over-night place. This was a kind of a basic guesthouse, water for shower was cooked on a fire, but I skipped it because of the temperature. It was close to zero. Just before sunset we went for a walk on our own to the nearby village and met a few of the local people. It's amazing to see the children playing without the toys the children at our homes are used to. The lady who went to call her goats, while smoking a pipe and others busy with preparing food. After sunset we waited by the fire untill our diner was ready. Again local food, what we most enjoy on our travels.
The third day we went for a longer hike, with a great guide, who also owns a price-winning avocado plantation and we got to taste the first smoothie he made, with the smoothie maker Jack gave him. The hike was great. Beautiful views everywhere, the landscape was fantastic. Flowers, trees, the mountain-cows, the bridge over the river with the small waterfall. Over there we also had our lunch. After the lunch we came across a small village where we were invited to join a family celebration. Several tattoo-faced woman, smoking pipes, with their children and men shared their rice-wine with us in their small house. It was so good to join them and have a little look in their lives. Sometimes our walk went to a real jungle and our guide needed his big knife to cut us a way through the green. At the end of our hike, our driver waited for us and after thanking our guide we went on our way to Mindat. There we met a lady who was famous for blowing the noseflute, a very old lady, with tattoos and very big earrings. she gave us a small private concert! After that we visited a small Chin Traditional museum and saw the private collection of antiques. Showed to us by the owner and next in line to be the chieftain. From there we went for dinner, you guessed it, traditional food, and then to the last place for the night while staying in Chin State. Again a nice wooden hut, but it was allready dark so we could see the great view only the next morning. After breakfast we slowly headed back to Bagan, with again, lots of great stops and arriving in Bagan in the late afternoon. I forgot to mention a lot of things, we did see so many. and so many friendly people and lots of beautiful Chin dogs with puppys. I also bought some souvenirs, the baskets the Chin people use for example. I use them now at home, for storing some food in my kitchen, so I can remember our fantastic trip every day. Thank you, Jack and James for taking us on an unforgettable trip! Hope to see you again!