Yangon (23-25 Jun 12)

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And I'm back to Yangon, this time with YK from Jogja days, and we spent two nights in the sweltering capital exploring more of its sights. I'd warned YK about Myanmar's fastidiousness with clean, crisp, unmarked dollar bills, and he didn't quite believe it until he encountered it himself, and he saw some of my not-quite-perfect notes being rejected. At least YK gamely brought some extra USD for my emergency use, hopefully it'll be enough to last till the end of my time here (two more weeks).

It was definitely eye-opening being back in Yangon again after six years, and at a time when the country is politically and (presumably) economically opening up. I would imagine things being very different another six years from now, if all goes well with the country's developments.

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Photos

Bogyoke Aung San Market
Nice artwork for sale.

Bogyoke Aung San Market
Lotsa ladies selling fabric.

Shwedagon Pagoda
The big attraction in Yangon, supposedly over 2000 years old, plated with tonnes of gold and adorned with fist-sized precious stones. Surely regarded as one of the holiest places in Myanmar.

Yangon's Circle Line
Slow 3h ride around Yangon and environs -- one class only, and that's the hard-backed wooden benches.

Inside the Train
Lotsa locals transporting their local produce.

KTV Road in Yangon
We came across this very dodgy street near Chinatown, complete with touts and signs telling you about the "Model" and "Fashion" shows inside. That particular neon sign in the centre says "Singapore Food Junction" though. Hmmm...

Yunnan BBQ in Chinatown!
Good value! Supper for two for K9000, with lotsa skewers, and even authentic Chinese Wang Lao Ji herbal tea!