24 Nov-3 Dec 2012 Adventurous backpacking trip in The Golden Land,Burma

Our journey : Kuala Lumpur-Yangon-Mandalay-Bagan-Inle Lake-Yangon-Kuala Lumpur

Total cost for the trip is RM1997.80
Total Breakdown 
Flight                 RM 477
Visa                   RM 130
Cab to KLIA    RM    93
USD420@3.09 RM1297.80 

Morning flight to Myanmar on the 24 Nov 2012 at 6.55am Flight AK1424. 5 (me,Caryn,FP,Tai Kor & TK) of us are going to start our most adventurous trip to the Golden Land. 3 of us are from Melaka started our journey at 3.15am. Met Joe@Tai Kor from Perak & TK from Kelantan at LCCT.

Day 1 24 Nov 2012 - Yangon

We departed from LCCT at 6.55am and arrived in Yangon at 8.00am local time. We took 2 taxi  to White House,per cab is 6000kyat. We made an arrangement for our stay in Mandalay,Yangon for the last day & bought the night bus ticket on the spot for 17,000kyat. We walked around and had our lunch by the road side. Not too bad coz too hungry. First stop to Sule Pagoda,entrance fee USD2. Took a cab to Karaweik for 2,000kyat and entrance fee 1,500 & 500kyat for camera. Had some drinks in Karaweik before proceed to the train station by taxi 2000kyat to check out for the Circular train. Walked to Bogyoke Market and tried the fruit juices & juicy pomelo for only 1000kyat. Had some noodles in the market. Walked around the market & went to a church. Had our early dinner,fishball noodles. Back to the guest house to shower & paid USD1 for the towel. We took a taxi & paid 10,000kyat from White House to Yangon bus station. We need to pay 200kyat for the entrance fee to the bus station. Bus departure time at 9pm & 2 pit stop along the journey. About 8 hours journey to reach Mandalay.

Accommodation : In the bus 17,000kyat from Yangon to Mandalay

Reached Yangon International airport about 10plus. First thing on the list is to Exchange our USD to Kyat. We change USD200. USD1.18=1000kyat=MYR3.64. This is the best place to change your money.

Mingalabar to Myanmar The Golden Land.

First glimpse of Shewdagon Pagoda in Yangon.

 Lovely British colonial buildings with parabola.

Gold smith shop are every where in the Littke Indian town

Our first meal by the road side in Yangon. 3500kyat for 5 person.Do not like the stinky dishes(Pucuk rebung I guess).Overall the food is not too bad.

First visit to Sule Pagoda.Entrance fee is USD2.Barefoot.....all of the temple you need to barefoot.....wet tissue is very useful...

2nd visit to The Karaweik at Kandawgyi Lake, which is one of a few major recreational parks in Yangon. Sweet local Myanmar lady

 Thanaka cream has been used by Burmese women for over 2000 years.It has a fragrant scent somewhat similar to sandalwood.The creamy paste is applied to the face in attractive designs, the most common form being a circular patch on each cheek, sometimes made stripey with the fingers known as thanaka bè gya, or patterned in the shape of a leaf, often also highlighting the bridge of the nose with it at the same time. It may be applied from head to toe. Apart from cosmetic beauty, thanaka also gives a cooling sensation and provides protection from sunburn. It is believed to help remove acne and promote smooth skin^. It is also an anti-fungal.

^{Shan noodles in Bogyoke market 750kyat per bowl. They use lotsa ajinomoto.......}

^{Our bus from Yangon to Mandalay is 17,000kyat per person at 9.00pm. Provide 500ml mineral water,toothbrush,toothpaste,towel & blanket. It is very cold in the bus & need a sweater.}

Day 2 25 Nov 2012-Mandalay
   

^{We reached Mandalay at about 5.45am. Check in Garden Hotel & washed up. Had a good breakfast nearby. Engaged a local taxi driver to bring us around. Paid 35,000 for a day tour to Maha Muni Pagoda, Mahagandhayon Monastery in Amarapura (best time is at 10am when the monks are taking their lunch,we miss this), climbed Sagaing Hill for about 30 to 45min. We had our lunch around the river area for 2,000 per person. 5 dishes & not too bad. We took a boat ride to Inwa for 1000kyat. Took a horse cart (7,500kyat) to visit Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery,Watch Tower & Bagaya Monastery in Inwa.} Had to pay USD10 to visit a few temple in Mandalay. Enjoying our coconut water before the sunset.Had a great time for sunset in U Bein bridge. Had chicken rice(2,000kyat) for dinner.

^{Accommodation : USD35 per room for 3 person}

After about 9 hours journey,we reached in Mandalay about 5.45am. 6000kyat for this taxi to Garden Hotel. 30 min journey & very dusty. You need a face mask.

Had our breakfast at 7.30am. Shan noodles,Wheat noodles(something like or wan tan mee) & tofu noodles. 4900kyat for 5 person.

 

Maha Muni Pagoda, Mandalay, Myanmar

 Targeted young handsome monk in the monastery

 Mahagandhayon monastery in Amarapura. These were taken around 10am, when the monks were about to have their lunch (they usually wake up at 4am). The Mahagandhayon monastery is the largest in Myanmar and has very high academic standards. Monks come from all over Myanmar to study here. We miss the food feast by the monks.

 Lovely tiles in Sagaing temple. Looks like in Heeren street in Melaka.

Temple in Sagaing Hill. Have to climbed about 30-45min to reached the top.

 Lovely girl with her Thanaka

 Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery in Inwa

 

Oasis in Mandalay - Bagaya Monastery(Use the same ticket US10) Located in the ancient city of Inwa, the Bagaya Kyaung Monastery is constructed entirely of teak wood and is a representation of the Wayzayanta Palace, which is the highest level of heaven in Buddhism. Built in 1838 A.D., the entire monastery is decorated with intricate carvings, floral arabesques, curved figurines and the reliefs of birds and animals. Today, it provides housing and schooling for local children, and is an impressive example of the ancient arts that the people of Burma should be proud of. 

One of the temple in Inwa

 U Bein Bridge is a teak bridge stretching close to 1200 meters across Taungthaman Lake.  It is wooden footbridge (longest teak bridge in the world) built by the mayor U Bein salvaging the unwanted teak columns from the old palace during the move to Mandalay. The bridge still serves as the most important communication link for the people of his villages.

Sunset in U Bein Bridge

Day 3 26 Nov 2012-Mandalay

Woke up early at about 4am to climb Mandalay Hill but we have 2 choice,either climb or go by car (Our guide did not tell us earlier till we reached ) & we need to pay additional 7000kyat for the car. We are the first to reach and waited for almost an hour. Cloudy day.....Mr Sun is too shy......We went around Mandalay town, Mandalay Marionnettes Theater,  Maha Atulaiwayan Kyaungdaygyi Pagoda, Sandamuni Pagoda & Kuthodaw Pagoda. Had our lunch for 18 dishes and paid 2000kyat per person. We bought 9-10kg watermelon for only 1000kyat! Proceed to the teak temple. Had our chinese food for dinner and proceed to Mandalay bus station to Bagan. 

Accommodation : In the bus 8,000 kyat from Mandalay to Bagan

Sunrise in Mandalay Hill.

 Usual scene....offerings to the little monks

The Mandalay Palace

Some of the 729 stupas that house a stone inscription each of the entire en:Tipitaka or en:Theravada en:Buddhist canon and known as the en:world's largest book at the Kuthodaw (Royal Merit) pagoda at the foot of en:Mandalay Hill

 Nuns in Mandalay

 Lunch in Mandalay.18 dishes...we paid 2000kyat per person...

 

Huge watermelon for only 1000kyat=MYR3.60! About 9-10kg...very juicy & yummy

Bus to Bagan from Mandalay.Non air-cond bus. Unbelievable when they put some stools in the passage way.We paid 8000kyat. 8 to 9 hours journey. Our hotel told us it is an air cond bus & our friend demand for our right & we managed to get our refund of 10000kyat.  Halfway through the journey,we passed by a swampy land and they quickly grab our bag from the luggage compartment  to the bus. Did not realised this till the ang moh keep on shouting please close the door..... We reached Bagan about at about 2.30am.Very cold and took the horse cart to find a guest house. Peak season and could not find any! Luckily Eden Hotel offered us their lobby. 

Day 4 27 Nov 2012 - Bagan

With no exemptions when entering Bagan you pass through or your driver himself will deliver you to the ticket booth where you present your passport and purchase a US$10 ticket to the whole archeological site valid for your entire stay before dropping you to your hotel. This pass is also needed for accommodation as hotels and hostels record the ticket number when you check in.

Accommodation : Eden Hotel for USD30 for a room-3 person

 Morning breakfast in Bagan. Total cost is 4900kyat, Shan noodles again,Roti canai,samosa & etc. We rent an Alphard for a day trip instead of taking the horse cart.Really worth it coz with the hot weather & dusty road.. We paid about 40,0000kyat

Morning market in Bagan.

The Shwezigon Pagoda or Shwezigon Paya is a Buddhist temple located in Nyaung-U, a town near Bagan, in Burma (Myanmar). It is a prototype of Burmese stupas, and consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. Construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta and was completed in 1102 AD, during the reign of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The pagoda is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. 

Lovely Sunset in Bagan. This is a must to do list in Bagan. They even have hot air balloon there. We miss this as well.

Dinner in Bagan.......Myanmar beer...cheers!

Day 5 28 Nov 2012-Bagan

Half day cycling (Rental for the bicycle is 1000 kyat )trip in Bagan.4 of us only coz one down with water poisoning........recuperating in the room. And 2 is down as well after the cycling trip.....rest in Eden Hotel(paid US40 for a room) while waiting to go to Inle Lake. Luckily have a good wi-fi connection to kill our time...Bus is at 6pm. Halfway through the journey we had our bun......so good to eat it hot cause it was a freezing cold in the wee hours!

Accommodation : In the bus for 10000kyat from Bagan to Inle Lake

Day 6 29 Nov 2012-Inle Lake-Cycling day

Reached Inle Lake about 3am plus. We need to pay Entrance fee of USD5 to Inle Lake. Paid 8000kyat for the cab to find a guest house. Could not find any guest house & rest in one of the tour company office  till 6am. Rent a bicycle for the whole day at 1500kyat. Cycled around to find a guest house (peak season,just after the fire balloon festival) & after 3 or 4 attempt managed  to check in at Remember Inn.Cycled around the whole day with a beautiful journey along the way.Had a good breakfast every day with a great view too. Juices from papaya,avocado to oranges. 

Accommodation : USD45 a room per night for 3 person. We stayed  3 night (we paid USD130 for 3 night)

Remember Inn

Our cycling tour begin in Nyaungshwe area. Amazing view along the way.......

Pit stop for a serene view

Shan lady to work in the morning

Water buffaloes

Amazing view in Pristine Lotus Spa Resort Inle

Beautiful view In Innoo Ancient Pagodas

Day 7 30 Nov 2012-Inle Lake-Boat Day Tour

We paid about 22,000 kyat for the boat ride but our boatmen cannnot speak English. Communication breakdown. Too bad!

At the canal

Start of our journey in Inle Lake

Inle Lake with its leg-rowing Intha people is a major tourist destination in Burma. He pose a few shots for us. We gave 1000kyat tip for him.

Lotsa birds in Inle Lake...remember to bring some food & they will follow you....

At the WhiteMonastery, young novice monk is playing the kite.....

At the market.......very colourful place

Intha ladies in the market

Long neck tribe in Inle Lake

Working hand in hand....piling work in progress

Cheerot factory in Inle

Beautiful Rainbow in Inle Lake

Second rainbow in Jumping Cat Monastery

Day 8 1 Dec 2012-Trekking day in Inle

Started our journey at 8am till about 5pm. Gloomy days. We had a good time to the villages & amazing view along our way. Our tour guide is Nono.

Our first pit stop ........scenic view....love it!

The locals are going to the town....only mode of transportation is walking.......

Very shy boy....

Our lunch pit stop. Nono cooked simple noodles for us. Downstairs is the cheroots leave factory

School in one of the village....only have about 6-8 students.

Cheerful & carefree kids in the village

Lovely blooms along our trekking trip.....saw many avocado plants as well

Finally our last stop in the jetty. The moment we are in the boat, it started to rain heavily. Cold & soaking 30 min ride to the main canal. No sunset again in Inle Lake but we had a great memories in Inle.

Fiesta time...BBQ cheap cheap & yummy. Chicken wing is delicious.

Had BBQ fish for only 2000kyat(RM7.20). Super cheap & very fresh. Last nite in Inle Lake & we had our cocktails there till about 10pm. 2000kyat(RM7.20) for the cocktails or mocktails only.

Day 9 2 Dec 2012-Inle & Yangon

Flight from USD108 from Inle to Yangon. Everything is done manually at here. Our plane is is 5 in a row (2 & 3 seater). I found the plane is a bit scary & we are lucky to land safely.

Accommodation : USD30 for a room with fan for 3 person in White House Hotel.

The locals are welcoming the guests in Heho airport

Heho airport resides at an elevation of 3,858 feet (1,176 m) above mean sea level

We went for the Scenic Circular Train at 1.40pm. We paid USD1. 2 1-2 hours journey. No toilet break and luckily the weather is on our side....or else we will be in the sauna room.......we had an amazing view of the country side and the locals doing their daily chores.

Drying their clothes on the railway track.

The locals

Monk meditate in Shwedagon Pagoda.

The Shwedagon Pagoda officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw also known in English as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda, is a 99 metres (325 ft) gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Entrance fee is USD5. There is 4 entrance to the Pagoda.

Tried the local ice cream in Mi Mi Lay Ice Cream. Very sweet and the owner are very happy and gave us 3 scoops free ice cream. We dont feel like going back to our guest house coz the room is small & no air cond.....but not too bad after that. Can't really sleep coz of the smell. Lesson learnt is always check the guest house room.

Day 10 3 Dec 2012- Yangon

Morning flight AK 1425  at 8.30am and back to home sweet home at 12.45pm. Had a very rushed breakfast in White house hotel. Reached Melaka at about 3pm.

Bye Bye Myanmar...we really had an amazing & adventures backpacking trip in Myanmar.........