Yangon

Although the Shwedeagon Pagoda is elaborate, ornate, wealthy, rich, and beautiful, the rest of the area is poor, shabby, in need of repair, neglected, and sad looking. There are few cars on the roads, and then only rather old looking. However, there are throngs of people in the cafés in the early evening. During the daytime, there are fewer people, but they all sit at tables and chairs that look like they should be in a doll house, or for children's use, as they are so low and small.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar

Leaving Phuket

Thai dancers

Phuket , Thailand

This is part of the Chelong Temple on the right.

Sunset in Pataya the next evening

Both the sunsets and the sunrise are often spectacular, and for the past two nights (March 29 and 30, on the way to and from Phuket) there were lightening discharges all through the night. Every few seconds the sky would light up! However, there was no sound of thunder to be heard.
The round ball in this picture is the sun setting!
Today, March 31st, I managed to get outside and walk on the deck, same as yesterday (only yesterday, I had company!). However, yesterday it was hot and sunny, and today it was comfortable and breezy. Tomorrow, we land in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and it will already be April 1st! My, how the time has flown since January. I guess the saying is true that time flies when there are interesting things to do. However, I have to admit that my bridge game has not really improved a great deal, and I can't seem to lose any of the weight I gained in the first few weeks!
In Rangoon a few of us are hiring a taxi to take us to visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda at night. That's it for today! I'm always glad to hear from any of you that care to write, even if I don't manage to answer you individually. All good wishes, Ann

The sunsets are beautiful!