Bus ride of death (Vomex = Smarties)

After our first night in Myanmar, in which I got 3 mosquito bites (useless knowledge part 1), the journey continues at noon. The night was already quite stormy and it won't stop raining today either. So it's a somewhat uncomfortable ride with the tuk-tuk to the bus station.

The journey goes to Myeik, which is located 430km to the north. It is estimated to take 11 hours for this distance. Fortunately, the bus is quite comfortable. Space for European leg lengths, blankets and neck pillows with children's motifs and frills (it looks funny when a whole bus full of adults has them on).

Since the south of Myanmar is still fairly undeveloped for tourism and only has three cities (Dawei, Myeik and Kawthaung), road construction has been given little priority so far. And my stomach will feel the effects of this for the next 11 hours. As you could already tell from the headline, I'm feasting on Vomex (magic pill against nausea). The best side effect of the pills is that they make you damn tired and I can even sleep for a few hours. I have to say that the landscape we are driving through is really beautiful. Mountains, hills, forests (unfortunately many of them are palm and rubber plantations), lots of rivers and no villages and huts. Unfortunately, mountains and hills also mean that the route is very curvy and goes up and down. Even Max, who usually just looks at me with pity when I feel sick during the journey, has to take a Vomex (no, not a paid advertisement).

There are three breaks in the 11 hours, two of which are the shortest toilet breaks of all time. Before I realize that we're stopping, the other passengers have already jumped to the next bush and done their business in the drizzle. By the time I have my shoes on, we're already on our way. And I don't really care that much about standing next to the bus where everyone can look at my white behind... Luckily, there is also a real break at a 'rest area'. That can already be described as a small adventure in itself. The whole bus load tiptoes collectively to the toilets aka holes, and then continues on to the dining area. Max and I make a detour to the sink and are pleased to find that there is soap!!! That is already my personal highlight. In the dining area, it's so hectic that we initially stand at the edge, watching the people, and then imitate them. You stand in front of a pane of glass, behind which various pots of meat, fish and vegetable dishes are displayed (see picture). At first, I'm a little miffed because the others are jostling. But then I do the same, point to the food of my choice and get a small bowl full of it. We also find space next to two men and shortly afterwards a lady with rice bowls arrives. We also get a grayish-green soup. Apart from the soup, the food is cold, which is normal in Myanmar. So you eat rice and always add a little bit from the small bowls. By the way, the cloudy soup is really delicious!
We get served it every time we eat this way in the next few days. It seems to be a fish soup with some kind of leaves. The food here in Myanmar is completely different from in Thailand. Of course, there is a lot of rice and occasionally fried rice noodles as well, but the seasoning is very different. Much less spicy (just right for my taste), but extremely flavorful in a different way. There is also a lot of pickled vegetables or algae, which also tastes very intense. As for the meat, it should be mentioned that it is rather cartilage that you chew on and then spit out. Meat is rare here. Fish and seafood are the better choice.
We haven't quite finished eating when it's time to leave again. So all passengers tiptoe back to the bus and the journey continues. The break was totally hectic, but well organized, and Max and I found it super exciting :)

We arrive in Myeik at around 11 p.m. and are dropped off at the main road again. It's still 16 km to our hotel (Yes, unfortunately we had to book a hotel here because there are no hostels, Airbnb accommodations or couch surfing in Myeik). Luckily, there is a local bus waiting, which takes us through the night for little money. We arrive at our hotel at midnight. Someone has obviously been waiting for us. Fortunately, the friendly little man takes us to a really nice, clean room. Shower. Sleep.