from 'Helen's Myanmar Trip' by HelenIAM (September 2007)

Kalaw:

Back to Heho to visit the bits I had missed. Flew from Bagan ($49), then by taxi ($15) from Heho to Kalaw. Stayed at the Winner hotel ($10) and the woman there couldn't have been kinder but it was a noisy location on the main road and the clock chimed right through the night and sounded as if it was in my room. Much better option was the Golden Kalaw Inn in a quiet road with nice balcony. Also Golden Lily guest house in same road. Harry from Golden Lily took my friends trekking to Inle. He speaks perfect English and is a lovely person and really informative.

Thirigayhar restaurant was the most expensive place I ate in all holiday (8,500 kyat !!!) for tiny portions of food. Like Nouvelle cuisine. Also it took forever for anything to arrive. There were only 3 of us in the place so I dread to think how they cope when they have a tour group arrive! Sams Restaurant was a much better option. I didn't trek as I was only there to go to Pindaya but a walk to the Bamboo Buddha image took me through the villages and filled hours!