Ploughing by bullock

We were really surprised to see that all the farmers in the highly fertile land in central Myanmar still use bullocks to plough with. This is a very common sight along the Ayeyarwaddy River but one I have not seen anywhere else. One of our companions on the river trip said it reminded her of Spain in the 60s.

Myanmar ought by rights to be a wealthy nation - it has a profusion of minerals, excellent fertile soil, hard-working people - but circumstances have conspired against its people. Things are changing, people tell us, but it will take time. Despite the recent adverse news from the country we have no regrets about coming here - the people need the tourist income. Obviously we are nowhere near the troubled areas, and the problems of Rakhine and some of the other outlying states feel as remote as Northern Ireland was from England during our 'troubles'.