I got up early. Well, I had no choice because there was some loud talking coming out of speakers somewhere. I had a simple breakfast (almost always included with the room price) and then got in a big pickup truck that will drive me to the top of the mountain. It is hard to believe, but there were about 50 people in one pickup truck. I was at the back and they made me stand up while there were rows of people in front of me sitting on planks.
It wasn’t exactly a relaxing 45 minute drive to the top, but more like a rollercoaster going through the mountains where there is no seatbelt. A little scary.
After the ride was over, then I walked the rest of the way to the top, another 45 minutes or so. Before I could enter the area at the top I had to go through the military government checkpoint, who asked for my passport, where I was staying, $6 entrance fee and $2 camera fee but only in dollar bills that were in new condition. I dumped out my whole stash of US dollars to try to get something they would like. Most of the ones I brought from home they didn’t like. Then I had to take off my shoes and socks at the top of the mountain.
It is the golden rock which is the whole reason everyone comes here. A huge bolder balanced at the peak of the mountain where men add gold leaf everyday. It was a nice place to spend a few hours.
I headed over to another area where I needed to take my shoes off, when I came out I saw Myanmar people trying on my shoes, which are kind of alien here. I’m starting to think if it was a bad idea to buy new shoes when there are so many times I need to take them off and there is the risk of them being stolen.
Then I walked down the mountain on the trail for about 4 hours. Unfortunately, I forgot my sun lotion. I was walking through high noon and I cold see my skin getting red and burnt. I didn’t have any hat, only sunglasses. During the walk down I passed by simple wood and straw built homes. Most homes had a place where you can put money for donations. I saw one woman roasting the face of a goat; it looked like a mask. No electricity or anything here. I was thinking how do these people survive up here in the mountains without an Xbox 360?