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Published: July 24th 2016
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Oh Mandalay, you're so hot and hectic, and we really tried to embrace you, but alas we had to leave you... The heat, the crazy busy streets we navigated on bikes dodging semis and motorbikes (no helmets), and lack of sidewalks or abundance of busted/sewer exposing sidewalks all added to the experience. We really did enjoy our time in Mandalay, but it wasn't our favorite place in Myanmar.
On the first evening we arrived, we wandered around a bit and did my favorite thing, explored a huge supermarket. We decided to have a night in, our hotel room was quite nice and the market had wine that looked drinkable, convenience noodles (think giant cup of noodles one can buy in China or Chinatown), and chips! Success! The next day we rented bikes and headed to the Ayerwaddy river and then followed along the river for about 12 miles to a bridge spanning the swollen river and we arrived at Sagaing. Amazing, ornate temples scattered the hillsides. We visited a few before heading back across the river to the U Bein bridge. On our way there we navigated narrow alleys, the loud clack clacking of weaving looms in the dimly lit factories
all around, pretty neat. The bridge is the world's longest teak footbridge and it looked pretty neat. We headed back to Mandalay and got the unique experience of navigating a huge roundabout with fast moving vehicles of all sorts, following the local traffic rules (that means no rules) and boy was that fun. And we survived. About 10 sweaty miles later we were back in Mandalay. As if we weren't tired of biking the busy streets, we made one final trip of the night to Mandalay Hill. We climbed the 1729 steps to the top and had lovely views of the city, river and hills beyond in the light of to sunset. Great way to end a day!
Our last day in Mandalay, we walked and walked and walked so more. After about 4 hours, we decided to dry our sweat drenched clothes and rest our feet by catching a 3D showing of Finding Dory. Not a movie I would choose to watch, but it was definitely in English and definitely air conditioned. Perfect. Afterward we found a beer station for peanuts, beer, bbq okra with that delicious Myanmar seasoning and eventually dinner. That night, we took a bus to
Yangon and then a taxi the following morning to the airport... destination Penang!
We decided on Penang for 2 reasons, Andrew hadn't been here and it was the cheapest plane ticket in the vicinity of where we are headed next, so off we flew. We've spent the past day and a half wandering the streets of Georgetown, admiring the street art, old Chinese buildings, temples of a diverse variety, and eating lots and lots of delicious street food. This morning we head out for what is undoubtedly Andrew's favorite part of any trip - beach, relax time! I enjoy it as well, but sitting and reading all day on a stunning tropical beach proves to be a hard task for a busy body.
Alyssa and Andrew
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Becky
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Amazing
Once again you two amaze me. Love your adventures. Carry on.