Siewch's Guestbook



14th September 2017
Mandalay Palace

Kitty!
Awww look at that little paw curled up in happiness :) The river trip sounds lovely and relaxing - with food provided - bonus! 'Mandalay' has always sounded exotic to me, and as you say - this can easily lead to having over expectations. Love the details in the temple photos.
13th September 2017

White robes at the monastery
The people you saw dressed in white at the monastery are nuns - or novice nuns. I've seen nuns in white in Thailand, and novices in pink in Yangon. If you go to the Bogyoke Market in Yangon at a certain time of the morning - it seems to me it was around 10 or 11 am - you will see a whole procession of novices collecting alms. Quite a sight!
14th September 2017

I figured they were novice nuns...
... but I couldn't quite tell because of the shaved heads and all. I was also a little surprised that there would be mixed sex accommodation in the same complex.
10th September 2017

Hostels and Secret Temples
I love the Lara Croft comparison - Bagan is indeed full of temples, it would take days, if not weeks, to see each one. Wonderful to hear you were able to find your own Secret Temple - very special! I get you on the "hostelling" - I too need my alone time, particularly whilst travelling. I often stay in a hotel not far from the local hostel, to be able to still take part in the great tours that they often offer. The taking off of the shoes and socks in every Temple did get to me after a bit, particularly with many of the temple floors very rough and stony - it became quite painful after a while... Enjoy Mandalay :)
11th September 2017

Taking Shoes Off
Just did Mandalay Hill. Worst of the lot so far in terms of painful soles anddodging poop. I loved Bagan. Can't wait to bring my spouse there.
10th September 2017

May Shan Hotel!
Hey! I stayed in the May Shan Hotel for one night during my time in Yangon! I found it a great place - central as you say, and I seem to remember the rooms being very small but well-equipped and comfortable. Good to hear ATM cards can now be used in Myanmar - when I was there, the only way you could have money in the country was to bring in US dollars in absolutely pristine condition - no folds or anything. Things seem to be changing. I loved the colonial architecture of the city also - some buildings restored, some seem to be being reclaimed by nature! A very interesting blog to read, and great to hear you've been able to get your spring back :)
From Blog: Yangon Part I
11th September 2017

Getting My Mojo back
yup, so glad it came back. Immersing myself in the unfamiliar can be so rejuvenating at times, and yet it saps you as well! One of my first thoughts when I arrived in Yangon was that I should have visited earlier. But then, I would have had a tougher time getting around. May Shan is adequate. I think I was the only guest there both nights I stayed. Location can't be beat, though.
From Blog: Yangon Part I
6th September 2017

Nice post
This is very helpful as I am planning to visit Yangon later this year. I think you may find this blog interesting as well which is www.dhanaritravelblog.com
From Blog: Yangon Part I
2nd September 2017

East coast of Aus
The Bondi to Coogee walk is a lovely walk, and it's good that you went at this time of year as I've heard many stories of snakes loving the paths in summer! I totally understand getting weary and missing the loveliness of home (especially the kitties!), but I'm sure some downtime in Singers will pep you up for the next stage of your trip - your Mum's cooking will help too :)
3rd September 2017

I'm ready to go to Myanmar now....
I got the pick up I needed - one (painful) massage, an unexpected boost to my post-travel job search, plus family, friends, and food. I'm ready to tackle Myanmar. Despite the snakes, I want to do the Bondi to Coogee walk in the summer because there'll be more people milling around and they'll have less clothes on.... :-)
1st September 2017

Myanmar
Great, sounds like you have found some energy from that, good to hear - I wish you all the best with the lead. Gosh - mid-October - you do have a bit of travelling left - glad to hear the spring has come. Yes, I did two weeks around Myanmar back in 2012 - Rangoon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake - thoroughly enjoyed it, and I wrote some blog entries here on them too. Look forward to reading about your adventures there :D
1st September 2017

Beautiful Lights
Wonderful photos of the Sydney Opera House Light Show! And the coastal walk must have been lovely too. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself - six weeks on the road is tough - I have been back from my 5.5 week trip around West Africa, and I am still very tired! I hope you get the chance to rest some in Singapore, and I am sure Myanmar will fill you with energy again when you arrive - it is a wonderful country, and definitely a good time to see it before tourism really kicks off there. Enjoy :)
1st September 2017

Got some spring back in my step....
I have an unexpected lead in my post-travel job search and that has reduced one source of anxiety. I'll know more when I return home mid-October. I'm mentally ready to tackle Myanmar now. Have you been there?
30th August 2017

Chilling, Hiking and Eating
Sounds like a wonderful time spent in Adelaide - enjoyable activities all around! I totally get you on the bacon in the USA - burnt to a crisp, not sure why...?! Great photos too :)
30th August 2017

Aircraft Graveyard
Wow, what a unique sight in Bangkok! Well done for finding it! The place seems to have released the "inner boy" in you, from the photos! I would have probably reacted in the same way :)
From Blog: Ex Machina
31st August 2017

Neatest.Experience.Ever.
I sense it would be right up your alley too!
From Blog: Ex Machina
23rd August 2017

Miang Kham
I didn't realise this was essentially street food - that would explain why I couldn't find it in any restaurants we went to over there. My fave Thai restaurant in Melbourne does a miang kham with pomelo, green papaya, peanuts and coconut on a betel leaf... it's divine! :)
From Blog: Ex Machina
23rd August 2017

I just found out that...
Thai restaurants in Adelaide also serve miang kam. I doubt the restaurants in the US would be that adventurous.
From Blog: Ex Machina
18th August 2017

EPL
I have to agree a little bit with Jeff on this one :) But hey, whatever works to relax and revive you is all that matters, right? And if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is...case in point, 'singing balls'. I shall say no more :)
19th August 2017

EPL
The main issue I have with EPL is that it (the film anyway, I can't be arsed to read the book) romanticizes Bali, and Ubud in particular. But yes, I was flirting with EPL territory this week. Good thing I pulled back. My distaste for kitsch usually sets me on the right path even when I stray :-)
13th August 2017

"Flashpacking"
Love the term "flashpacking", I think my travels may be categorised similarly. Gone are the days of dormitories and hostels, hello boutique hotels! Great to read about your journey east on Bali, and that you were able to coincide with a Hindu holy day. Also get you on the "splurge" day - sometimes it just has to be done! :) Enjoy!
13th August 2017

I Value My Sleep as I Get Older...
I'll gladly pay a bit more for my own room. I still have a hard time paying for luxury, though. And yes, Pura Lempuyang was amazing. I hesitated about blogging about it but I think this audience is a respectful group. I doubt this temple will make it on the tour package circuit because of location and access.
9th August 2017

Flores
Thanks for sharing your trip across Flores with us - it has always fascinated me but I've never been able to fit it into our plans. I'm normally good at it dehydrating myself for travel days too, but once on a large intercity public bus in Turkey I strayed from my plan and had to get the bus driver to divert to a small town so I could use the bathroom...I still cringe when I think of it. Looking forward to reading your stories of chilled out relaxation in Ubud x
9th August 2017

Flores is well worth a visit...
... but hire a driver and plan our your accommodations if you are on a specific timeline.

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