MANDALAY MYANMAR

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Those midnight flights are a killer, Thai Airways 12.30a.m. to Bangkok 8 1/2 hrs, then 4 1/2hr layover and then the Thai budget line Smile up to Mandalay which was only 1 hr 45 mins, all worked like clockwork Insider Journeys rep there to meet us and 14 others. All on the bus and it took about an hour to get to the Mandalay Hills Resort which is the best hotel in town, quite a majestic place big and sprawling over a lot of land, huge pool area and lovely manicured gardens. Got into hotel about 11.30a.m. then time for a wander and a couple of beers before meeting our group leader at 7.00p.m. for briefing, drinks and snacks and then cultural show and outdoor dinner in the gardens with lots of yummy curries and local dishes as well as BBQ. By the way the Myanmar beer and wine is very good! It seems the food here is a mixture of Indian and Chinese, though they do like spicy, sour and sweet! I think our tour leader Ian is going to be a ripper, seems a great guy and he looks after 11 countries for Insider Journeys, a pom now living in Bangkok, very laid back and funny! As it seems so far certainly not like any other Asian country we have been to, not a shopping destination unless that changes as we go along - the countryside is beautiful and rice growing is their main thing along with gems ruby and sapphires etc. Only one night here then head to the boat, The Irrawaddy Explorer is supposed to be quite luxurious, which houses 58 people but on this tour there are only 28 so a very small group. Today visited the Mahumuni Pagoda and Mandalay Hill great views overlooking Mandalay but a lot of haziness around. Then to Kuthodaw paya which contains the world's largest book of teachings of old monks, a huge area with all the teachings carved into marble. Saw a local couple having wedding photos taken here, just beautiful!

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Photos

MANDALAY HILLS RESORT
In the bar sampling local beers

MANDALAY
Coming into land

MANDALAY HILLS RESORT
View from our window

MANDALAY HILL
Pagodas dotted throughout the countryside

KTHODAW PAYA
Flowers for the monks

KUTHADOAW PAYA
Teachings housed inside these little structures, hundreds of them

KUTHODAW PAYA
Local wedding

MANDALAY
Women at work again

KUTHADAW PAYA
The glitz!

MANDALAY
New hotel - no OH&S here!

IRRAWADDY EXPLORER
Our home for the next 9 days

IRRAWADDY EXPLORER
Our large, beautiful room!

Comments

[Kaz singh]

Love it
Wow looks great your bedroom on the boat looks amazing xxx

[John and Gloria Travels]

Its just lovely Kaz, room is big and decorated so nice. We are enjoying Myanmar xxx

[Norma]

Mandalay Resort etc.
So ...! You are off again ,& why not ? Go while you are able .... Yes ! Night flights are R.S. at times . Biggest problem ,Aussies being so far from tourist destinations , overseas . How lucky are you to only have 28 on tour . Country sounds good , enjoy all you do & see . Lovely to get your blog ,always interested in your travels , and what you do & see . Posting Xmas letter to your parents tomorrow . Take care , shall wait for next blog , thank you so much ,love Norma x x

[John and Gloria Travels]

Thoroughly enjoying Myanmar Norma, its the people who make it I think, so beautiful! Will talk when I get back Mum and Dad coming down for a couple of days over Xmas, so if Janet was free you could come over for lunch...will talk after the 12th December. love Glor xx

[Rhonda Brand]

Hi..........
Looks fantastic.....glad to heat the wine is good too!!!!!!!