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

Our first 12 hours in Yangon have been delightfully overwhelming, a feast for the senses and almost impossible to describe in just a few words. The city reminds me of Delhi, extremely poor, dirty, noisy and yet interspersed with magnificent golden pagodas, decaying colonial buildings, vibrant street life and above all incredibly friendly and polite people, everywhere we have been. We have only seen a few other tourists and clearly tourism and westernisation have yet to take hold, but construction works on new roads and hotels has started - a few months ago foreign cars were allowed to be imported- things will change soon. Even Eve has been completely taken in by the sights and sounds of the city, especially the golden pagodas, stupas and the huge buddha statues around every corner. Everywhere we go she ... read more

I determined early in the trip that I would enter Myanmar with an open mind, in fact it was almost blank. Er, perhaps that should read ... a blank canvas! I didn't want excessive research to impede a voyage of discovery to this unique travel destination in South East Asia. Of course I'm aware of Myanmar's recent history, as the country has just awakened from forty years of almost total isolation. Nowadays countries like Myanmar are becoming rare as we live in such an interconnected world, so I got to thinking it's time to experience Burmese culture before the country is completely overrun by tourists, as in neighbouring Thailand. An Aussie guy in the Bangkok hostel was stunned to hear I had no Lonely Planet, was completely oblivious to the absence of ATMs, and had not ... read more

23 Jamuary 2013 Day two in Yangon and we decide to follow the colonial route. We start with coffee at the Strand and end with lunch at the Governor's Residence, and in between take advantage of the free wifi at the part Junta owned Traders hotel. It is our most expensive day in Burma! You can really lord it here if you want to. The Strand has a colourful history. It's faded glory is still visible in the marble floors in the foyers and the high ceilings. The coffee is proper and so is the milk. We are so tired of three-in-one by now that we will pay anything, even US$5 each, for a cup of decent coffee. The butter biscuits are yum too. The free wifi at Traders is definitely the best in town, and ... read more

Here's how we do a first day in Burma (Myanmar.) Get off the plane after 28 hours plus of travel, stumble out into the unsecured area of the Yango airport, where hundreds of people are waiting and looking. Immediately I'm approached by a taxi service man, who then whisks me off to the "Hotel 7 Mile." Wash and rest briefly, then arrange a taxi with the hotel. Comical, as English is limited, but I do have a map, and they know how to pronounce the names of places. After a round about discussion, we finally have it straight, and I head off with my young non-English speaking escort. Note the crazy driving. Crazy just because the steering wheels are on the right side of the cars, and they're driving on the right side of the road. ... read more

Sat Jan 5 2013 Set out to arrange our flights from Thandwe to Bagan next week. We had not been able to finalize them by email or online. Had a strange experience in a travel agency which led us to believe that we knew more than they did about the proposed trip. When the agent said we couldn't fly from Thandwe to Bagan-- we'd have to take a private car, we almost laughed. The distance is about 350km as the crow flies. Taxi, anyone? We said our good-byes and walked to another agency where we were successful in getting our tickets issued. Cab to Swedagon Paya. Large, golden most holy Buddhist site inYangon. Rather overwhelming with all its gold and ornate buildings, statues, artwork.To Monsoon restaurant, but full. To Chinatown where we had so-so meal on ... read more