Sunday, 30th August
'Road to Mandalay' cast off from its midstream mooring at Bagan around 10:00 a.m. to sail upstream back to Mandalay. Some of the passengers from the downstream journey had left the ship, new passengers had joined and some, like the writer, were making the round trip.
Buffet lunch was served on the top deck, afternoon tea in the Piano Bar and, as it became dark, the ship dropped anchor midstream for the night. After cocktails on the top deck, dinner was served in the restaurant. After dinner, we hurried to the top deck for the 'Surprise on the River'. Hundreds of tiny rafts each carrying a lighted candle appeared upstream and, carried by the current, swarmed past the ship on both sides to disappear downstream. The effect was quite delightful and moving. The Piano Bar remained open late for after dinner drinks. Such are the rigours of shipboard life.
Monday, 31st August
Sunrise was at 5:52 a.m. and the ship had set sail before 6:30 a.m. After breakfast, a leisurely morning was spent watching the ever-changing scene along the river. Once again, lunch was served on the top deck.
The sense of anticipation grew as we approached Mandalay and, with the kind permission of the Captain, I was on the ship's bridge as the British-built road and rail bridge appeared ahead. There's not much clearance for the 'Road to Mandalay' under this bridge and the ship's short mast was lowered into a horizontal position beforehand.
We then passed under the new recently-completed road bridge and made our final approach to the 'Road to Mandalay' private dock. The Voith-Sneider propulsion system allowed the Captain to bring the ship sideways very slowly to the dock then shore parties struggled with the heavy mooring ropes to finally secure the ship.
Very soon, passengers were making their way to the coaches for a road trip to Sagaing. The television crew was on hand to record the event. On this occasion, I didn't take the coach trip because Doctor Hla Tun had invited me to accompany him on a visit to one of the Monastic Schools supported by passengers from the 'Road to Mandalay'.
Everybody was back on board in plenty of time for dinner and there was after dinner entertainment showing various Tribal Costumes of Myanmar.
Pictures
Cruising the Ayerwaddy.
Arriving at Shwe Kyet Yet.
Monastic School No. 21.
