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The
train arrived from Mandalay on time but was an hour late leaving, which
gave everyone time to stock up on food for the journey. We made very
slow progress on the hills but as the train picked up speed between the
inclines we found ourselves bouncing around in unison with all the
other passengers, like peas on a drum. There was quite a long delay
before crossing the viaduct as the down train was late.
Photography
of the viaduct from the train is forbidden and the rule was strictly
enforced.
We reached
Kyaukme at 3.45, whereupon our locomotive was detached and
disappeared into the distance returning an hour later pulling a kaput loco
and two goods vans. Hurray, we would be on our way. However
the locomotive went off once more ,returning in an hour with a couple more
goods vans. Obviously the 'goods' were more valuable than we.
This put us in
to Hsipaw quite late and in the dark. I had arranged for the
guesthouse to pick us up at the station and sure enough a trishaw
driver was waiting. Only one poor guy to transport us, our backpacks
and camera bags. Fortunately it was all downhill from the
station.
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