the weird little town that caught me off guard

so i landed in this random place after a string of bad flights and honestly didn't expect much. turns out, it's one of those spots that sticks with you. i just checked and it's 24.6°C there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity's at 60%, so it's not too sticky, just enough to make you want to sit outside with a cold drink and people-watch.

i heard from a local at a tiny noodle shop that this place used to be a major trading post back in the day. now it's more of a sleepy town with a few hidden gems. someone told me that the old market square is haunted by a ghost who loves to rearrange fruit stalls at night. i didn't see any ghosts, but the market was buzzing with life during the day.

if you get bored, mandalay and bago are just a short drive away. but honestly, i'd stick around here for at least a couple of days. the pace is slow, the people are friendly, and the food? don't even get me started. i had the best mohinga of my life at a roadside stall. the owner, a woman named Aye, said her recipe was passed down from her grandmother. she laughed when i asked if it was a secret, "only if you don't know how to ask," she said.

"this town's got soul, but it's not for everyone," a guy at the bar told me. "if you're looking for fancy hotels and nightlife, you're in the wrong place."

i didn't mind. i stayed at a little guesthouse run by a family who kept trying to feed me more than i could eat. the reviews online said it was "basic but charming," and that's exactly what it was. no frills, just good vibes.

for anyone planning to visit, i'd say bring comfortable shoes and an open mind. this isn't a place you tick off a list-it's a place you let surprise you. and if you're into history, check out the old colonial buildings downtown. they're crumbling in the best way possible.

check out TripAdvisor for more tips, or Yelp if you're into reading reviews from people who clearly have too much time on their hands.

this town might not be on everyone's radar, but that's exactly why it's worth a visit. sometimes the best trips are the ones you didn't plan for.