We picked up some bikes for the day and took a cruise through the dusty roads that flow between temples upon temples. Andrew was left at the hostel for the day to rest and sleep in. I promised him I'd go and take some photos because he did the same courtesy while I was bedridden.

Some of the very old temples now under increasing regulation by the Burmese tourist authorities. We found this out the more difficult way...

The next day or so we took a taxi to Mount Popa, or should I say Mount Poopa.

Mount Popa mandates that guests only walk up barefoot amid monkeys, monkey urine, monkey blood, and the other excretions that come from the bodies of monkeys. It was suggested that we carry large sticks to frighten them from coming too close to us, especially if any of us were more nervous than usual. I encountered a young Burmese boy who took pleasure in his duty of shooing monkeys away from tourists. These monkeys could get quite feisty and were obviously carrying some level of intelligence.

I'm not sure what day it is but I'm now in Myanmar - it's a seemingly long while since China. I'm waiting for food at the Golden Emperor Restaurant in Bagan just doors from Winner Guesthouse where we are staying with some friends we met up with in Yangon. Andrew has a severe high fever which we speculate and fear is dengue fever. I just got out of the Calmette Hospital in Phnomh Penh, KH, where I stayed for 4 days bedridden with a 40 degree Celsius fever. Unfortunately, it is Andrew's turn for the fever which is terrible for him since he's looked forward to Myanmar the most between us both. It hasn't been the best of luck for the two of us in our three week mini-adventure across SEA. I really hope he does not get as ill as I did. He's currently in bed back at the guesthouse as I wait for takeaway food to bring him. We are considering flying to Bangkok to seek more western and serious medical attention.

To continue, I'm very concerned. I don't have that many days left and I cannot leave Andrew alone in the hospital. If we do go, hopefully Andrew recovers quickly, but as I said, we haven't been the luckiest. Burma may well be the nicest Southeast Asian country thus far. The people are kind and do not (yet) hound you for money nor do they harass you for tours. There are very few tourists since the country just recently opened in 2010. The number of pagodas and temples is just astounding as well - literally every corner you turn! The roads are great for bicycling and our friends said its the best before/during sunrise when were is absolutely no one else on the road.  I imagine its just you, your bike and the cool morning air. I hope Andrew gets to experience some of this.