Adventures with Isoms: Holiday missions

Oh I sure love a winter break. The possibilities are all there in front of you. Even this year, this rascal of messed up plans that is 2020. Being stuck in Yangon might not be our first choice for the holiday but we are making it our mission to have a wonderful life *cue christmas music here*

Speaking of missions, on a past one to a downtown bookshop I came across this gem. It turned out be all cover and no content (just a list of people who worked at embassies here in 1984). But that cover! I immediately started thinking of how to insert little secret missions that I've been meaning to do. And that will be my mission for this Christmas break- find missions large and small to entertain myself and my family (and hopefully you)

MISSION #1- bike ride to Seikgyikhanaungtoe.

This is not a made up place, but it is really hard to say. Teachers Dan and Laura found a local bike company that was offering some tours. There were 10 of us split into 2 groups, and off we went.

Our groups itinerary was to board the Dala ferry, cruise the streets of Dala on our way to the fields beyond, return and board a small boat to the island of Seikgyikhanaungtoe, then board a slightly larger boat for the return to Yangon. It was most enjoyable.

I took my gopro but most of the shots didn't really pan out. Mounted on my handlebars makes it bounce a little and (rookie move) there was a smudge on the lens. This is a shot of us on one of the great roads thru Dala.

We took a short break on a bridge where the water taxis depart for Yangon. This is how many people get across the river every day to go to work. Its quicker and cheaper than the big ferry, but way more tippy! Here is a husband and wife heading out for a day of fishing.

and here are the taxis queuing up for customers. Mind the gap.

A bit later we took a break and had a nice time saying hello to these kids- I tried to tell her that my daughter was a chelsea fan as well- pretty sure she got my drift. Kids (and adults) love saying "Mingalarbar" as you pass. Gregory asked if it was a common way of saying hello- it isn't. It is way more formal than you would use with friends. It would be like saying "auspicious salutations". But it works for me (as I haven't memorized the other greetings yet) and the kids love to practice their formal greetings.

In a classic 'back in my day' moment, our guide San, said that when he was a young monk and had to go out asking for alms he had to shout it. This guy is clearly using 21st century solutions.

We stopped for a bowl (of amazing) coconut noodle soup and samosas. And fancy that- some premier league happened to be on!

I was thinking of adding 'stealing Gregory's last samosa' to my list of missions, but that look quickly shut down any further plans.

Next it was off to the small boat for a quick crossing to Seikgyikhanaungtoe. The dock featured people boat to the left, bike boat to the right, and cow in the middle.

I was smiling, but I was not leaning.

So the whole reason for Seikgyikhanaungtoe island is that the british wanted a straighter shot to Twantay and therefore dredged one. Luckily water kept flowing in the old channel... why lucky? Because islands are cool. Pedaling around this one was quite pleasant.

This is the point of Seikgyikhanaungtoe on the left in the picture above. You have to pay a toll to use this canal to Twantay. As this boat came by it started to slow, then a man jumped out with a fish and took it to the house on the left. He came back, jumped on the boat, and off they went. Our guide Aung said -sometimes you pay with kyat (money) sometimes you pay with fish. I love it.