OVERSEAS TRAVEL
Trip to Vietnam, Western Australia and Burma
On the 31st January, I set off on another Far East Trip. The complete set of trip reports can be found here.
Vietnam
I flew by Thai from Heathrow to Bangkok, then changed for a second Thai flight to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. I'd been to Ho Chi Minh City once before, in 2005, so I was happy to catch a Vietnam Airlines flight on to Da Nang, where a taxi met me and took me to Hoi An. I explored Hoi An in the evening and, the following day, toured the town with a guide, Than. We returned to Da Nang by car, making various visits, and then took the mountain road to Hue. I was invited to join a simple celebratory meal at a coffee shop up in the mountains - a delightful experience. That night, I stayed at the Hotel Saigon Morin in Hue. I went out exploring in the evening, returning by motor cycle taxi. Hue is very historic - we visited The Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and returned by a 'Dragon Boat' on the Perfume River. After lunch at a small, popular cafe we visited two tombs of former kings at Khai Dinh and Tu Doc. Than invited me to his home where preparations for the New Year were in progress, then I had to leave to catch the evening flight to Hanoi where I was taken to my hotel, the Metropole. Then next day, my guide Joe showed me the teeming city. After an interesting visit to the 'Hanoi Hilton' prison (now a museum), we saw the outside of Ho Chi Mihn's mausoleum and the simple country-style house where he chose to live. We saw the 'Temple of Literature' and similar sights. In the afternoon, I went off on my own to look at the railway station (surprise!) and more of the city. In the evening, I was taken to see a Water Puppet Theatre show (no, I'd not heard of water puppets either, but the show was good). The following day, we drove to Halong Bay where I was to join one of the 200 hotel boats. There are also 300 day boats. Halong Bay was as interesting as the films I'd seen, but it's quite hard to get away from crowds of tourists. Fortunately, with the 2-night tour I was on, the second day was spent on a dayboat able to seek out quieter locations (and do some canoeing). On the final day, the Hotel Boat returned me to the mainland for the drive back to Hanoi and the Metropole Hotel. After a couple of hours, it was off to Hanoi airport for the evening flight to Bangkok.
Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Western Australia
Thai provided the night flight from Bangkok to Perth, arriving about 7.30 a.m. My last visit to Perth had been in 2007. My friend Keith met me and we went to his home, where I was staying. Later in the day, we went into Fremantle and I was glad that the pace was a little more relaxed than Vietnam. The next day, I went with Keith walking his dog, Sasha, quite early. Later, we went shopping. In the afternoon, we visited my friend Captain Myo Lwin and his wife, who are staying with their daughter and her husband at their home in Perth, following the arrival of their first grandchild, Wyatt. Next day, after dog walking, Keith took me to Cohunu Koala Park which is now open to the public. I drove one circuit of the 7.25-inch gauge railway, with the petrol-hydraulic locomotive 'Joan'. The following day, we were able to visit the Steam Museum in Fremantle, followed by the Shipwreck Museum. In the evening, we went to a Chinese restaurant. The next day was very hot so, after dog walking and a bit of shopping, Keith left me at a railway station so that I could explore by train. I took the train to Perth then made a journey to Midland and back, then a train to Fremantle. I visited the Matime Museum, watched the cruise ship 'Silversea Whisper' disgorge its tourists for a brief view of Fremantle and finally caught the train to Perth, changed and returned to my starting station where Keith picked me up. On my last day in Perth, there was time to look at Keith's latest locomotive in his well-equipped workshop before heading to the airport for the Thai flight to Bangkok. I'd been booked into the Novotel at Bangkok Airport. I only managed about 3 hours sleep before getting ready for the morning Thai flight to Yangon.
Jan and Kangaroo in Cohunu Koala Park, Western Australia.
Burma
On arrival at Yangon, I was met by my guide but the journey into the city took 90 minutes because of congestion. My hotel room was not ready so I walked to the station and caught the train to Da Nyn Gone. By the time I arrived back at the hotel, I was happy to relax for the rest of the day. The next day required an early start - I was to catch a domestic flight to Nyaung Oo. At Nyaung Oo I met another guide and we drove to Bagan and the Medical Centre. I met up with my friend Mr. Hla Tun then checked in at my nearby hotel whilst the Doctor was completing his work. After lunch in the Monastery, we loaded stationery into the car and set off for the school at Nga-Minn-May. After a tour of the school buildings, the Doctor and I presented stationery to all the pupils. We repeated the process at Chauk-Kan School. The following day, I explored the Pagodas of Bagan with my guide and driver. Next morning, I was taken by car to Nyaung Oo airport for the morning flight to Mandalay. At Mandalay, I was met by a new guide and driver and transferred to the Sedona Hotel where I'd stayed before.Low water on the Ayeyarwaddy meant that 'Road to Mandalay' would not reach Mandalay, but would anchor downstream at Myin Mu. After a good night's sleep I went with my guide and driver to Myin Mu, where we arrived a little before 'Road to Mandalay'. After spending a little time with the Doctor and other friends from the ship, the car took me to nearby Bodhi Tataung, home of 10,000 Buddha images. Then we went to the 167 metre tall standing Buddha, climbing to the 10th floor (higher floors had been closed temporarily). Next stop was the Thanboddhay Temple, boasting over half a million small Buddha images! Then back to Mandalay with a very early start the next day in order to catch the 4.00 a.m. train to Maymyo (which actually left at 6.17 a.m.). My guide and driver met up with me at Maymyo station and we made a visit to the Shwe Sin Minn girls' orphanage. We visited Pwe Kauk Waterfalls - 'touristy' but aimed at Burmese, not foreign tourists. We visited the impressive, modern Aung Htu Kan Tha shrine, returned to Maymyo and descended from the hills to Mandalay. The following morning, we went into the Sagaing Hills, with a short detour to look at the railway station at Ywa Taung. Returning to Mandalay, we met the 'Road to Mandalay' guests taking lunch at the Sedona Hotel, and I was able to spend a little more time with Doctor Hla Tun. The next morning, I was met by a young lady guide who had travelled from Yangon with a car and driver the previous day. We set off on the Highway going south (with a slight detour to look at Paleik station) and arrived at the new capital city, Naypyidaw. I was determined to find the railway museum but, after some delay, we arrived to find the museum closed. However, the guide found some people to open the museum for me. After photographing all I could in the museum, we found my hotel - the Aureum Palace Hotel where I had a pleasant semi-detached 'cottage'. Despite being tired, I agreed to go with my guide that evening to see the Uppatasanti Pagoda, which proved a fascinating visit, marred only by seeing the 'White Elephants' of Naypyidaw. The following morning, we continued south on the Highway to Yangon. When we arrived at the city, we diverted to the Tab Book Centre before checking into my hotel. I'd not intended to go out again but, being my last evening in Burma, couldn't resist going back to the station and walking east, eventually arriving at Pazundaung station. Tired and hot, I bought a ticket to travel back to Yangon Central station by rail. The next morning, I returned home via Bangkok.
The nuns who founded the Shwe Sin Minn girls' orphanage in Maymyo, Burma.
Trip to China and Tibet
On the 9th July, I set off on another trip East. The complete set of trip reports can be found here.
Tibet is now administered by China as the 'Tibetan Autonomous Region'. British Airways took me to Beijing, arriving on 10th July. Here, I was met and transferred by car to a Domestic Terminal, where I caught a flight to Xining. Once again, I was met and taken by road into the city, where I stayed one night. The following morning, there were various alarms in connection with my booking on the train to Lhasa but, eventually, everything was resolved. The journey to Lhasa is remarkable, not least because, at its highest point, the railway is some 15,000 feet above sea level (oxygen is available on the train). On arrival in Lhasa, I was met and taken to the very comfortable St. Regis Lhasa Resort. Next day, the 13th, I visited the famous Potala Palace and the Sera Monastery in Lhasa. On the Sunday, we went to Drepung Monastery, then onto Norbulingka - gardens and palace intended as a summer residence for the Dalai Lama. After lunch, we visited the revered Jokhang Temple. Next morning, we left Lhasa by road for Shigatse. The Chinese are currently extending the railway from Lhasa, the present terminus, to Shigatse - a major engineering task. Following lunch at the Songtsen Tibetan Restaurant, we visited the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. I was impressed by a hand-knotted carpet factory which is run on profit-sharing lines then it was on to the Shigatse Hotel to overnight. Next morning, we set off east, on a lesser-road to Gyangtse. It was hot by the time we arrived at Pelkor Chode Monastery. After touring the monastery itself, it took some time to explore the myriad chapels of the Great Stupa Kubum. We overnighted in the Gyangtse Hotel and next morning continued back towards Lhasa. the road passed adjacent to snow-capped mountains and there were prayer flags everywhere. We took lunch in the town of Nangartse before taking the road past Yamdrok Yumtso lake. This is a popular tourist stop but the majority of tourists were Chinese. I was booked in the St. Regis Lhasa Resort for my last night in Tibet, allowing me to explore the city on my own. I was picked up at 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 18th and taken to the modest airport which serves Lhasa. China Eastern flight MU2260 took me in comfort to Shanghai, where I was met and taken to my city-centre hotel. The contrast with Tibet could hardly have been greater. Shanghai is a huge, modern, confident city embracing the ways of the western world. On Friday, 19th, I'd arranged to visit the Railway Museum first then we visited the Jade Buddha Temple and a major showroom selling cultured pearls. There were more western tourists in that one showroom than I'd seen in the whole of my time in Tibet!
The Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet.
TRAVEL IN THE UK
During the year I made various trips (mainly by rail) to London, Manchester and other destinations. The trip to Ely described here was to see Ann receive her Degree. A trip to Morecambe and Heysham described here was to see how the places had changed since my previous visits.
Ann with Members of the 'Sealed Knot' in Ely Cathedral.
RAILWAYS
Railways, General
On 12th March 2013, volunteers from MOSI (the Museum in Manchester) had a fascinating visit 'Behind the Scenes' at Manchester Piccadilly Station arranged by Adrian. The full report is here.
On 11th April, through the courtesy of Orient Express, I was able to visit Stewarts Lane and walk through the luxurious 'British Pullman'. The full report is here.
On 17th June, there was another meeting at Brewood of the informal group of enthusiasts with particular interest in railways in the West Midlands. There's a report on the meeting here. During the year, the group shared many questions and responses by e-mail, encouraging me to post:-
Catchem's Corner Signal Box.Railways in the UK
Life in the Signal Box.
I still use what remains of our national railway network for getting around and this will often prompt me to write about the network as it is or as I remember it:-
Liverpool Lime Street Station.
Clapham Junction Station.
Victoria Station, London.
Waterloo Station, London.
Edge Hill, Liverpool.
The Liverpool Overhead Railway.
'Black 5' to Birmingham.
Day Trip to Ely.
'Flying Scotsman'.
Railways around Edge Hill in 2013
A Busy Week.
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.
Early Days of the Mersey Railway.
Crewe South Junction Signal Box ('Crewe' All Electric System).
Crewe North Junction ('Crewe' All Electric System).
The Buxton Branch.
Railways around Morecambe.
Clapham Junction.
Railways in China and Tibet
The set of 17 trip reports here includes some 'railway technical' content and links to my railway pictures. The two posts below describe my journey on the QingHai - Tibet Railway:-
The Train to Lhasa – Part 1.
The Train to Lhasa – Part 1.
On the QingHai - Tibet Railway.
Railways in Burma
During my trip to Burma described above, I used the railway from Mandalay to Pyin-Oo-Lwin and made more journeys on Yangon's Circle Line. In addition, I visited Myanma Railway Museum and various stations by road. You can find all my posts on railways in Burma here.
Bo-Bo-Bo locomotive DF2048 at Mandalay Station, prior to hauling my train to Maymyo.
RAILWAY PRESERVATION
During 2013, I remained Secretary of the Old Locomotive Committee and an active volunteer at MOSI, The Battlefield Line and Peak Rail. I also met the Trustees of the Ashover Light Railway Society, described here.
The Old Locomotive Committee
Once again, the OLCO Annual General Meeting was held in Liverpool Museum. There's a report here. Other commitments meant that I was unable to attend the 'Lionsmeet' gathering in 2013. You can find all my posts about OLCO here.
The 'Lion', now 'caged' in Liverpool Museum.
MOSI
During the year, I had various operating 'turns' at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, some of which resulted in a blog post:-
Saturday Steam
Easter Week at MOSI.
A Saturday in Manchester.
Manchester Mini Maker Faire 2013.
Another Saturday in Manchester.
'Agecroft No. 1' with the visiting 'North London' coach at MOSI.
The 'Planet' replica celebrated 21 years of service in 2013. That prompted a few posts:-
The Planet Replica.The Battlefield Line
'Planet' at MOSI - The First 21 Years.
'Planet' in Perspective.
Loco-profile 6: 'Planet' replica.
Happy Birthday 'Planet'!.
During the year, I had a number of turns on the diesel railcar and a couple of steam turns:-
Sunday Diesel
Easter at Shackerstone
Battlefield Line 1940s Weekend
Midweek at the Battlefield Line.
Santa at Shackerstone.
At Easter, two visiting engines were in traffic - the Drummond 'T9' and a Beattie 'Well Tank'.
Peak Rail
I was a fairly regular driver at Peak Rail during the year. In March, the 'Blazing Saddles' event featured two-train working and no less than five 'Austerity' tank locomotives in steam. In April, the 'Peak Forester' steam charter visited, hauled by 'Tangmere'. The popular '1940s Weekend' took place in August and, of course, there was heavy demand for the 'Santa' Trains in December. In addition to these highlights, trains were operated throughout the year, top-and-tailed between Rowsley and Matlock Town until the introduction of the Winter Timetable when 'Lord Phil' worked the service unaided between Rowsley and Matlock Riverside, running round at each end.
Blazing saddles.
Easter at Peak Rail.
The 'Peak Forester'.
A Sunday in the Peak District.
Peak Rail 1940s Weekend.
A Heavy Load.
Vintage Commercial Vehicles at Peak Rail.
Winter Timetable at Peak Rail.
Peak Rail 'Santa' Trains 2013.
The Down 'Peak Forester' approaching Church Lane Signal Box.
BREWOOD HALL
While the snow was on the ground in January, Brewood Scouts visited for a traditional snowball event which I called 'The Battle of Brewood'. August saw a very successful Vintage Garden Party in the gardens at Brewood Hall which is set to be repeated in 2014. In September, groups of visitors people were taken on a conducted tour of the principal rooms at Brewood Hall. During the year, a new set of aerial views of Brewood Hall were produced commercially.
The Battle of Brewood.
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2013.
Conducted Tours of Brewood Hall.
Aerial Photography showing Brewood Hall.
Fun in the Snow at Brewood Hall.
'ROAD TO MANDALAY' SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION
For a number of years, I've tried to support the charitable initiatives operated under the above name in Burma. When I visit Burma, I try to see as much as possible of the work in hand. When I'm in the U.K., I receive regular e-mails about the work which (with permission) I report in my blog. The work is principally Educational Support and Medical Relief (centred on the wonderful Bagan Medical Clinic). You can find my posts on Educational Support here and those on Medical Relief here.
Distributing stationery at Nga-Minn-May School, Burma.
PREVIOUS ANNUAL REVIEWS
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
