10. A train journey round Yangon

I had a day in Yangon after the tour finished so I went to see a friend who was staying in a monastery on retreat for a while. I went with a new friend that I had made on the tour, and we decided to go by train, on the line that circles the suburbs of Yangon. The service is very slow but their is much to see on route, especially as it was Independence Day so people were out celebrating and enjoying themselves.

Yangon Station and sidings

 

An old steam engine, unfortunately not on the tracks, but they did have a head of steam on the day we arrived! 

The station platform with loco....

This was our train...

And our ticket.... Hand written!

Lots of space and all the windows down so nice and cool. The trains coming into Yangon were packed! 

The views from the train.... At a station...

On route

Visiting the orphanage near to the monastery. They are all girls living there, pictured, along with two local children. They are trying to build a proper shelter for them all, as money allows. They have good water, and all seemed happy and fed. 

These were the nuns who looked after the girls on their way out when we left. 

It was a humbling experience.