From Ulster to Oz by bus - Blog Eight
ULSTER civil servant Darren McCaffrey has reached strife-torn Burma on his epic journey and is not impressed.
Darren writes his latest blog as he prepares to take an internal flight to avoid Government rebels.
Describing his eighth week as his most difficult, Darren says he has never wanted to leave a country so much.
The 22-year-old says the treacherous roads, dirt and heart rending poverty have "wore him down".
Darren's Blog
The week began on a high literally as we arrived in Darjeeling. The view from our hotel room was incredible as we overlooked the city, the clouds and a rainbow - the Himalayas towering in the background. After a visit to the highest temple in India and the Gurkha war memorial it was on to the tea plantations - to enjoy some freshly cut tea. Darjeeling is a charming, welcoming place and my favourite in India.
It was down hill from there though, our drive south to Kolkatta (Calcutta) being incredibly tough. In cramp conditions we sat for hours being shaken about in our seats by the horrendous roads. By Wednesday I had for the first time began to question the merits of overland travel.
We arrived in Kolkatta as it was being hit hard by monsoon rain. To refer to it as a city is unfair as it resembles more a refuge camp. I have often struggled to elucidate some of the people and places on this trip - but my words simply fail to convey the shocking poverty in Kolkatta. Hundreds of thousands sleep rough on the streets, often beside open sewers. Many more live under tarpaulin along the river banks with no access to basic sanitation. The streets are strewn with dead animals, excrement and entire roads are blocked by rubbish. Kolkatta is hell on earth. What is most difficult tough is the sheer scale, the problems seem almost insurmountable.
Thankfully it was our last stop in India, I don't think I have ever wanted to leave somewhere, so much.
The border between India and Burma has been closed by the military government so to continue we were forced to take a flight from Kolkatta to Bangkok, and enter through the Thai border. Arriving in Bangkok was nothing short of exciting – the skyscrapers, highways and modern transport were a real novelty again – having not seen anything like it since Vienna.
Thailand is famous for its nightlife and Bangkok did not disappoint. From its trendy bars, many clubs and go-go shows – it truly is the city that does not sleep. Alcohol is served in buckets and ping-pong is surprising popular amongst the locals. One night was not enough, so we are all glad we are returning.
On our way to the Burmese border, traveling north we visited Chiang Mai, a modern city with over 300 Buddhist temples, which while peculiar to western religion sensibilities with their modern depictions are stunning to visit. Our final stop was Chiang Rai, where a full Thai massage and some late night shopping was invigorating and just what we needed.
So at the end of week eight we are preparing to enter Burma, a first for OzBus and for everyone on board, no-one quite knows what to expect. We are entering the unknown …
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
