ON THE KALADAN RIVER TO MRAUK U

I do not think this boat would pass US Coast Guard inspection. But it was fine for 5 hours upriver and then for the return. Inside a few plastic chairs and table. We sat up top for the view.

Images Illustrate life along the river: net fishing and shelters....

Rarely spotted, it was a chance sighting of these Burmese cranes. Moving gracefully at the grassy shore, they appear to be at least as tall as a man.

According to Wiki: The sarus crane is a large nonmigratory crane found in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height of up to 5 ' 11" , they habit open wetlands. The sarus crane is easily distinguished from other cranes in the region by the overall grey colour and the contrasting red head and upper neck. They forage on marshes and shallow wetlands for roots, tubers, insects, crustaceans and small vertebrate prey. Like other cranes, they form long-lasting pair-bonds and maintain territories within which they perform territorial and courtship displays that include loud trumpeting, leaps and dance-like movements. 

Our boat kicks up a stern wave.