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My Day 4

From: Helen
Date: 14 Apr 2006

Comments                                                                            [Itinerary]

Day 4 – April 14
All I have ever really known about my father is that he died on the Burma-Thailand Railway and is buried at Thanbyuzayat, outside Mawlamyine. It has been my lifelong desire to visit Dad's grave. Over a period of forty odd years we've all tried, my mother, my sister and I, but always with the same result - failure. Until now!

Finally, here I am at Dad's grave in the War Cemetery at Thanbyuzayat. It's not a large cemetery, well set out, simplistic and unpretentious.

 
The entrance to the cemetery.
Inside.

With all the necessary information in hand Marg, Moe, the key man and another couple of locals didn't take long to find Dad's grave. Standing in front of the grave was an experience. My first thought was "You do exist! You are real!" The tears flowed. A great weight lifted from my shoulders. I was surprised at my thoughts and feelings. They were not what I had anticipated. I placed Jamie's mementoes by the grave and wandered off to have a bit of a look around and to chat with everyone. They all shared the moment with me and felt privileged to do so.

With Jamie's mementos everyone now knows Dad has had a visitor.

 

 

I said my good-byes, signed the visitors' book and left the cemetery.

  Outside the cemetery people waved at us from:
  • the road’s edge,
  • bicycles and motor bikes,
  • trucks and buses,
  • oxen drawn carts.

They were going somewhere. We decided to follow them, to where we didn't actually know. That was a great move! 

 
Our destination turned out to be the Water Pagoda at Kyaihkami Beach. People, like us, streamed into the area.

Ours were the only Anglo faces but no-one took any notice. We were accepted as fellow revellers. We settled down in a kind of Tea House with a beer and peanuts and soaked up the atmosphere. Much to the amusement of everyone around we were sprinkled with water, after giving the O.K. of course.

     
Food and drink is an important part of any festivities. Moe and Margaret soaking up the atmosphere.

Outside of Thanbyuzayat village on the trip back to Mawlamyine, I walked along part of the actual Burma to Thailand Railway!  This area is about to be upgraded and the figures restored.

There's an engine that was used on the Burma to Thailand Railway sitting on the rails.  Models depicting those who worked on the Railway.
This day is one that will be always be with me.  It marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
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