Have You Been to Myanmar?

They say if you want to know what Thailand looked like 50 yrs. ago just visit Myanmar. While we can't vouch for this personally it certainly seems the country has yet to succumb to it's westernized make over. It is a country brimming with excitement with their first taste of democracy with the April 1st election. The local people seem to have a permi- smile and are eager to sell you their crafts, give you directions, or simply giggle at the sight of your presence. The food is as varied as a Cheesecake Factory menu and the landscape is unspoiled. This country isn't for everyone. While they do boast a domestic beer that is 8% alcohol, this place isn't for the party animal. It is for the one who seeks a truer sense of what it means to explore and discover... Where a 150 mile road = 20 hr bus ride!? Michelle and I contend that we probably are more prone to fancy a "happening scene" but we can't help but enjoy the fresh, uninhibited unknown that is Myanmar.

While we both are on a backpackers's budget, the buzz that surrounds the opening of the country's doors has increased accomodation prices tremendously. During this leg of the journey, hotels have ranged between $15 and $30 per night. Our daily budget which has averaged around $10 per day is in the low $40 range. And if you do decide to visit make sure you bring plenty of US dollars and make sure they are crispy. They inpect them with a magnifying glasses. The ATM at the Yangon Airport is non existent and the other ATMs only support local bank accounts. I was lucky enough to borrow from Michelle's parents. And finally expect an exhange rate between 760 to 820 kyats per $1. The street money changers will entice you with better rates but they are hustlers and they will scam you. AVOID... Just go to the bank and they will kindly count your money and let you count it in front of them as well.

These young female monks in Myanmar wear pink robes

So now that you have the big picture let me tell you of our time here. We arrived on a plane and stayed 1 night in the capital of Yangon. There wasn't much to brag about as we were overwhelmed by the sweltering 100+ degree heat. We mostly hopped from one air conditioned shop to another. Being that we only had 10 days in the country we chose to leave the following afternoon to the ancient city of Bagan and revisit Yangon before we exited the country.

I know there have been several instances where I have sworn that Michelle and I took the worst possible bus ride over the most dangerous terrain in the most dire circumstances but the 20 hr. train ride to Bagan with Michelle and her parents took the cake. The train is split into sections depending on class similar to an airplane. We paid $50 per person for a sleeper cart. We expected comfort but what we got was a stuffy room with a non working A/C and a front row seat to an "earthquake." I won't go into too much detail but have you ever tried going to the restroom while being plummeted and launched almost simaltaneously against a train wall with some foreign liquid (I pray it was water) splashes down on you from overhead. Haha, not exaggerating!! On the cup half full side of things, we got to see the landscape and the Myanmar people in their element. A night and day comparison to the congestion of a neighboring city like Bangkok.

We arrived in Bagan and stayed at this beautiful resort called Kaday Aung. This city town boasts 4400 temples and is the Siem Reap of it's country. The only difference of course is that it isn't commercialized like it's counterpart. The city grew into lore with rise of King Anawrahta in 1044 when he began the construction of several temples. The city's rise was just as quick as it's descent as growth halted by 1300. Bagan is a gorgeous city with many picturesque views and is a must visit if you ever visit Myanmar.

 All smiles "before" the train ride

 Beautiful resort in Bagan, breakfast included!!

Holy Parade 

Burmese puppets 

 Oink, Oink

Very economical means of transport 

Posing on the top of Sulamani Pahto

No matter where you look you see miles and miles of temples 

Buddha statue inside of Ananda

We decided to check out a selection of temples which include: Ananda Temple, Dhamma-yan-gyi Pahto, Sulamani Pahto, North Guni, and Bupaya.

The National League of Democracy rally the day before the April 1st election. The NLD won 45 seats of 664 in Parliament. Aung San Suu Kyi is the face of democracy in this country. To say that the country loves her is an understatement.

Aroma II Indian restaurant 

Mich and I riding outside a cafe 

North Guni Temple 

Dhamma-yan-gyi Pahto is the most grand temple in Myanmar  

 

:)

The Moon Vegan Restaurant 

$2 rum and coke - Myanmar style

We left the following morning on Air Yangon to the city of Heho which borders our destination of Inle Lake. We swore off a crazy bus/ train ride. We were willing to part with a few extra dollars for a 1hr. flight.

Inle Lake is a beautiful area that sits 2000+ ft. above sea level which meant a cooler climate! The town of Nyaungshwe was the place we stayed in and it surrounds Inle Lake. We spent our first day exploring the town and the second day we decided to take a boat ride in Inle Lake. For about $18 you can hire a driver to boat you around and take you to various attractions the lake has to offer. There is a market where the locals sell you their homemade goods, a blacksmith, a temple, a cigar shop, and a lotus textile mill. Despite all the extras, the real fun is watching the Burmese people in their everyday lives. I never seen so many children and adults welcome you with open arms. Everyone we passed on our boat were so happy to wave and greet us with a smile. We headed back amidst a rainstorm with fond admiration for these hard working, loving people and even more souvenirs. We rented bikes the final day and sped around town enjoying the local foods and beer. It is almost sacrilegious to leave a country and not sample a taste of their local brews.

River boats on Inle Lake 

These fisherman place the nets on top of the water and uses a spear to snag fish

Long neck woman in the textile mill making silk scarves 

Check out that technique 

More Monks 

Burmese working in the fields 

The cows welcomed us to Nyaungshwe

Moooo -ve out the way cows!!! 

The following morning we were jet set back to Yangon for our final 2 days in the country.

Yangon was just as hot as we had left it and there seemed to be 10x more people there. We limited our sightseeing and mostly took in the street scenery. Instead we went to the cinema and caught a couple of movies. Have you ever paid $1 for a movie? Michelle's parents departed in the early afternoon to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur. We spent the night preparing for our 12 hour shopping extravanganza in Bangkok followed by our night flight to London. All we have to say is that we love you Asia! We will miss you :( You have been very gracious to us and we hope to make your acquaintance very soon!

The last hostel in Yangon, while cheap, was unkept. This was the view of the rubbish from our window. No bueno...

As it stands, we are about to have our second holiday in Michelle and my sabbatical. I have never been to the UK and base most off my knowledge from English football or whatever Ricky Gervais says! I know they drink a lot of tee and coffee... And frequent the pub quite often so we should be in good company. Plus my parent's gave a very strong recommendation when they visited London two summers ago. Actually Michelle's entire family is scattered throughout the country and I couldn't be happier to meet them all and share in the experience. God Save the Queen, here we come!