The Balancing Rock

KYAIKTO     When I later returned to Yangon, arrangements were made with a friend to see the Hanging Rock Pagoda.  I never figured out why we left at 4:00 A.M.   The drive to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda was three and a half hours.  It took an additional two hours to get to the pagoda after parking the car.  There were two paths.  The foot path for the devout was seven hours.  No thank you.  We drove until the car could make it no further.  Then, we hitched a ride in a vehicle that did not overheat.  Finally, we walked.  It was very steep walking into the clouds with mist, rain, haze, and men who were willing to carry us on chairs between bamboo poles for outrageous prices.  We walked.