Rattan Truck II

I've always really liked this image.  I had paused to catch my breath near 7 mile camp on the Ledo Road (see Myanmar 2005 and Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey) when this old green trunk loaded with people, fuel, and rattan came barreling by. You can see where my interest was. Everything in the image is slightly out of focus because of the speed of the truck - except the rattan cane next to the passenger's window.  

Moving the Collections Down the Ledo Road

You first collect the specimens (see Herbarium Specimens), and then you have to take them someplace where they can be dried and labeled. The transport phase of plant collecting can involve many different vectors. In this case, a skinny mule loaded down with a bunch of other stuff was used to carry some of our plants out of the Hukaung Valley. [NOTE: That's Andrew Henderson, NYBG palm systematist, in front with the yellow raincoat].     

Rattan Truck

Still life of rattan exploitation in northern Myanmar. World War II-vintage truck loaded with rattan parked (momentarily) on the Ledo Road north of Shimbweyeng.  I really like this photo. Go here for a look at another great work truck in northern Myanmar. 

Racing Elephants

We were standing on the Ledo Road measuring tree heights with a clinometer when two elephants with their mahouts came racing toward us. I was able to get some footage - but almost got run over in the process. [NOTE: Never found out where they were going.  I think they were just having a race].

Flat Tire on the Ledo Road

I had a pretty tight travel schedule after we finished the fieldwork in Shinlonga (see Naw Aung and His Sagawa). Went back to Tanai on Sunday after the final wrap-up meeting with the community, and then the six hour drive to Myitkyina on Monday to catch my flight to Yangon on Tuesday to make my Singapore Airlines flight back to New York on Wednesday. Any screw-ups in this itinerary and I don't make it back to New York in time for Christmas (see Merry Christmas).  And then we got the flat driving back to Myitkyina on the Ledo Road...

Kachin Portrait

Not much to say about this image.  Its early afternoon on the Ledo Road and this Kachin woman is carrying a huge basket of firewood. She is also shyly tickled that I am taking her picture. [NOTE: I really like this shot].   

That Truck

This World War II vintage truck hauling 55 gallon drums of gasoline up and down the Ledo Road caught my eye. Clearly a "no-frills" work truck.  The upholstery and dashboard are especially noteworthy. The owners told me that the vehicle had been in continual service for over 50 years. [NOTE: The truck was waiting for the ferry - as was I - when I filmed this (see Crossing the Taron)]. 

Driver Needs a Drink of Water

One of the elephant handlers stops on the outskirts of Namyun to get a drink of water before heading down the Ledo Road with our bags (see Hukuang Valley Rattan Survey, Shopping for Supplies, A Bridge to Far, and Myanmar 2005). [NOTE: Watch for the geese walking across the road in front of the elephants].

A Bridge Too Far

All of the original metal bridges on the Ledo Road in northern Myanmar have rusted and collapsed. Many of them have been replaced with makeshift bridges built using boards and long wooden poles lashed together with rattan. Our two portage elephants had strikingly different reactions to these bridges.  Loi Mai, the lead elephant, walked across without hesitation.  Aung Bu, on the other hand, refused to cross even after much prodding and his handler had to find another route (thx, Tun Shaung). [NOTE: see Bathing the Elephant and Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey for more footage of Loi Mai and Aung Bu.]

Bathing the Elephant

A slow Sunday morning on the Ledo Road (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey) is a good opportunity to bathe the elephant. [NOTE: Gentle pokes on the flank are used to get the elephant to turn.]