Sorry, long time no post. Am ending my 2 week (actually more like 12 day) whirlwind trip in Myanmar/Burma. It's been full of surprises, sore bums, long bus rides but definitely a wonderful time. I didn't really know what to expect coming here, just knew roughly about the political situation, the isolation from the rest of the world. Arriving here, I noticed how antiquated many things were, ie. cars, bridges, helmets, due to the embargos that have been placed on this country. Many of the things they have seem to be hand me downs from western countries from long ago (we saw a war helmet from Nazi Germany, with the swastika and everything).
It was my first time travelling alone but it has been so easy to find people to travel with, I met a Canadian as soon as I got on the plane, and we were travelling together until Mandalay. Our first shocker of an introduction to Yangon, was a crazy Hungarian who decided to jump from the 2nd floor of the guesthouse (Motherland Inn 2) through the plastic roof onto hard concrete. Of course he then collapsed (maybe due to a concussion, possible fractures... he has serious mental issues) and all the people at the guest house just rushed to help him. Madness. Not sure what happened to him, I will find out tonight.
Then headed to Kalaw
the next day to start our trek to Inle Lake, endured a 17 hour winding bus ride (in the middle of the night... rivalling the crazy driving before dawn in Tibet).. and was dropped off a 5AM on a quiet street. Good thing there was an enthusiastic lady who greeted us and showed us to a lovely guest house (Eastern Paradise). We did some wandering, ate some Shan noodles which are my favourite here, and then started on our trek the next day with 2 Basques, and the following day 2 others who were at the guesthouse in Yangon, an American and an Aussie. Slept in a village house the first night, really good food and quiet and the next night in a monastery. That was one of the great experiences in Myanmar, young monks chanting us to sleep and then waking us up at 5:30AM. Then we were all blessed by the chief monk and given a bracelet for travel protection.
We finally arrived in Inle Lake which was lovely and refreshing after 3 harsh, hot days in the hills. As soon as we got there we had to plan to leave because of our tight schedules. Found out no buses to Mandalay as it was graduation weekend and all buses were full... then had to hire a shared taxi for the next day. Did manage some sightseeing on Inle Lake but it was quite touristy.
The road to Mandalay was awful and the driver was totally sketchy, he was swerving many times for no reason, hitting random rock piles, chewing betel constantly and had a bottle of rum next to him. I think I fell asleep out of pure fright, I just didnt' want to see him drive anymore. Arrived in Mandalay late at night, tired, windblown and dirty. Mad rush the next day to see Sagaing, Inwa (which was good, except for the scam of the horse carts which didn't stop if you wanted them to) and Amarapura.
The U Bein bridge at Amarapura at sunset is easily my top favourite things in my travels. It's as beautiful as they say it is. Ahhhh, it was worth the long trip there.
I then boarded a minibus the next day to Bagan, the ancient city with hundreds of pagodas/shrines. The minibus was a nightmare, so crowded, I was sitting on top of the petrol tanks, people were falling all over my seatmate, a Spaniard photographer. However, arrived safely at the New Heaven Inn, which was really heavenly. Lovely porches, hot water showers, lovely staff. Went for a sunset at the Shwezigon Paya. Met a German guy who was at the Motherland same time as I was. Next day did mad scramble on bikes to see as many pagodas as possible but I was pooped by 1PM.. the heat and sun are unbearable at that time. In the evening picked up Tim, (Aussie) and went to see the sunset by the Irrewady (Ayeyerwaddy)
and had tea with monks by the Shwezigon near our hostel. It was really lovely, the monks were so excited to play with our cameras and just to talk to us. And the chief monk was so welcoming. It was a nice change from the money grabbing vendors all over Bagan. Had a wonderful sunrise the next day overlooking many of the major pagodas in Bagan. It is an amazing sight... it rivals Angkor in my opinion. There are just spires and spires and just when you think there aren't any more.. you'll see another in the horizon.
Really amazing.
Arrived in Yangon this morning after a 14 hour bus ride from Bagan. A bit more comfortable than the minibus, but I won't be clambering to get on another bus anytime soon. I'm looking forward to doing nothing, no more sightseeing just relaxing. Although that will have to wait after Bangkok.. which is another mad city!
Will need some serious R&R in Kampot.
It was my first time travelling alone but it has been so easy to find people to travel with, I met a Canadian as soon as I got on the plane, and we were travelling together until Mandalay. Our first shocker of an introduction to Yangon, was a crazy Hungarian who decided to jump from the 2nd floor of the guesthouse (Motherland Inn 2) through the plastic roof onto hard concrete. Of course he then collapsed (maybe due to a concussion, possible fractures... he has serious mental issues) and all the people at the guest house just rushed to help him. Madness. Not sure what happened to him, I will find out tonight.
Then headed to Kalaw
the next day to start our trek to Inle Lake, endured a 17 hour winding bus ride (in the middle of the night... rivalling the crazy driving before dawn in Tibet).. and was dropped off a 5AM on a quiet street. Good thing there was an enthusiastic lady who greeted us and showed us to a lovely guest house (Eastern Paradise). We did some wandering, ate some Shan noodles which are my favourite here, and then started on our trek the next day with 2 Basques, and the following day 2 others who were at the guesthouse in Yangon, an American and an Aussie. Slept in a village house the first night, really good food and quiet and the next night in a monastery. That was one of the great experiences in Myanmar, young monks chanting us to sleep and then waking us up at 5:30AM. Then we were all blessed by the chief monk and given a bracelet for travel protection.We finally arrived in Inle Lake which was lovely and refreshing after 3 harsh, hot days in the hills. As soon as we got there we had to plan to leave because of our tight schedules. Found out no buses to Mandalay as it was graduation weekend and all buses were full... then had to hire a shared taxi for the next day. Did manage some sightseeing on Inle Lake but it was quite touristy.
The road to Mandalay was awful and the driver was totally sketchy, he was swerving many times for no reason, hitting random rock piles, chewing betel constantly and had a bottle of rum next to him. I think I fell asleep out of pure fright, I just didnt' want to see him drive anymore. Arrived in Mandalay late at night, tired, windblown and dirty. Mad rush the next day to see Sagaing, Inwa (which was good, except for the scam of the horse carts which didn't stop if you wanted them to) and Amarapura.
The U Bein bridge at Amarapura at sunset is easily my top favourite things in my travels. It's as beautiful as they say it is. Ahhhh, it was worth the long trip there.I then boarded a minibus the next day to Bagan, the ancient city with hundreds of pagodas/shrines. The minibus was a nightmare, so crowded, I was sitting on top of the petrol tanks, people were falling all over my seatmate, a Spaniard photographer. However, arrived safely at the New Heaven Inn, which was really heavenly. Lovely porches, hot water showers, lovely staff. Went for a sunset at the Shwezigon Paya. Met a German guy who was at the Motherland same time as I was. Next day did mad scramble on bikes to see as many pagodas as possible but I was pooped by 1PM.. the heat and sun are unbearable at that time. In the evening picked up Tim, (Aussie) and went to see the sunset by the Irrewady (Ayeyerwaddy)
and had tea with monks by the Shwezigon near our hostel. It was really lovely, the monks were so excited to play with our cameras and just to talk to us. And the chief monk was so welcoming. It was a nice change from the money grabbing vendors all over Bagan. Had a wonderful sunrise the next day overlooking many of the major pagodas in Bagan. It is an amazing sight... it rivals Angkor in my opinion. There are just spires and spires and just when you think there aren't any more.. you'll see another in the horizon.
Really amazing.Arrived in Yangon this morning after a 14 hour bus ride from Bagan. A bit more comfortable than the minibus, but I won't be clambering to get on another bus anytime soon. I'm looking forward to doing nothing, no more sightseeing just relaxing. Although that will have to wait after Bangkok.. which is another mad city!
Will need some serious R&R in Kampot.
