Blogs from Mandalay, Mandalay Region, Burma, Asia - page 12

www.diariodeunviaje.com (todo en nuestra pagina web) MANDALAY-HSIPAW-MANDALAY (25/9) A las 4:30h llegamos a la estacion de autobuses Highway a 7km de Mandalay. Alli compartimos un pick-up (6.000K/4p) con los españoles que nos encontramos en el bus, que nos llevo a Royal Guesthouse pero estaba completo y nos alojamos en ET Hotel (10$/hd c/ventilador y desayuno) (Hab no muy limpias). Mandalay (800.000 hab) fue la última capital de Myanmar antes de la invasión británica y por eso toma vital importancia como centro cultural. Es la segunda ciudad más poblada del país. Es una ciudad mas turistica que Yangon, por ser el punto de partida para realizar diferentes excursiones por la zona centro del pais. Esta bañada por el rio Ayeyarwady. Por la mañana fuimos a la oficina de Yoma Express (en la calle 81 St, entre la ... read more

*Many of the photos in this blog entry were taken by Jeff Roberts at www.eyeballimaging.com/blog ©2007* On July 11th Jeff and I left Bangkok's modern fast-paced bustle for the leisurely, traditional world of Myanmar (Burma). We flew into Yangon airport, then went to the domestic counter to see if we could find a flight that day to Mandalay or Bagan. We want to see Yangon, but we'll be heading back through there on our way back to Bangkok on August 3rd, so we decided we'd hurry north right away, if possible. We were in luck, and we were able to get seats on a small plane flying to Mandalay at 11 a.m. As we descended over Mandalay, we were stunned by the beauty of Myanmar's countryside... The land is a patchwork quilt of different colored farmlands, ... read more

If this is the Mandalay made famous by the Las Vegas elite at the Mandalay Bay, then somebody in the marketing department either needs a big raise or should transfer to Disneyland's creative innovations department. First off, Mandalay doesn't have a bay. It is on a river and a lake, but there is no bay. And while it is one of the coolest places I've been, it definitely lacks...how would you say it... the five star ambiance boasted at the Vegas counterpart. After surviving the bus (barely), we easily hopped on a taxi/truck/go-cart type vehicle and headed to the Royal Guest House where we were to stay while in Mandalay. The accommodations were really nice for only $12 USD per night. Chris and I aren't too picky but do require clean beds and an in-room shower/toilet. ... read more

A 45 minute minute plane ride was all in took to transport us from one of SE Asia's most modern cities, Bangkok, to one stuck firmly in 1965. Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, was straight out fascinating the moment we landed! Maybe it was the face painted customs ladies, maybe it was the drive to town in a 40 year old rusty Mazda taxi, or maybe it was the bald female monks walking unassumingly along the pot-holed streets. Whatever it was, we knew right from Myanmar was gonna be a trip... We started off by blowing our budget on a 3 star hotel simply because the cheap hotels were without power (a theme that would continue for our entire stay in Myanmar) and aircon feels damn nice when its 40 degrees outside. But even these guys ... read more

Birgit hat sich am kuehlen Inle See offensichtlich erkaeltet und hat einen ziemlichen Schnupfen. Trotzdem ist sie bei der Sightseeing Tour in Mandalay voll dabei. Wir marschieren zu Fuss zum Koenigspalast und lassen uns mit Fahrradrikschas in dem weitlaeufigen Gelaende herumfahren. Weiter gehts zum Mandalay Hill. Der Huegel ist 240 m hoch; 1700 Stufen muessen barfuss bestiegen werden. Rechts und links vom Aufgang immer wieder Souvenirstaende. Oben angekommen geniesst man einen wunderschoenen Ausblick auf die Stadt. Nachmittagsprogramm: Birgit relaxing im Hotel, Robert und Marcus organisieren die naechsten Tage (Hotels, Fluege etc.) und belohnen sich mit bestem einheimischen Essen und kuehlem Bier. Abends gings zum naechsten Highlight - Sonnenuntergang bei der U-Bein Bruecke ca. 8 km ausserhalb von Mandalay. Ein Blue Taxi bringt uns dort hin. Die Bruecke ist mit ihrer Laenge von ... read more