Burma Yangon January 2013

[terry57]

In January myself and a friend made a two week trip to Burma. We hit 3 destinations Yangon- Bagan and Mandalay. I shot many Images so will have to break this subject into 3 separate threads so lets kick it off with Yangon. Pack the bag and its game on.

[terry57]

Anyway, I had a rough start by cocking up my Visa as I was under the Impression that I could get a Visa on arrival. They turned me away at the Airport so I spent a mad day getting an express visa which I did obtain at the last minute. A night in a hotel near the Airport and on the plane the next day. My friend had to fly in alone, most impressed she was. The Visa office on Silom road is an absolute muppet show, much too small now for the punters that are heading that way. I suggest you post your passport away or pay an agency to do it. Not worth the hassle as you'll see in this photo.

[Loy Toy]

Great work Tezza.

Not may picture threads about Myanmar so I am looking forward to seeing your offering.

[natalie8]

Looking forward to more. I'm interested in going there and I would love to see and hear about your trip - the good, the bad and the ugly.

[terry57]

Once you actually fight your way through the poxy little door you are confronted with this bollix. Two shitty little windows serving multiple punters. The poxy Embassy is only open between 9.00AM to lunch time, thats when you need to get your passport in by then it closes and opens again at 3.00PM for pick up till 4.30PM. Jeez don't get me started.

[terry57]

After a nice night in the Airport Asia hotel I front up to Don Muang ready to fly.

[aging one]

Terry I live 5 minutes from that hotel and would have loved to put you up for the night. Now please keep the photos and commentary coming.

[terry57]

Arrived in Yangon on a nice new A320 with AirAsia. Must say I was most surprised as I was greeted by a brand new Airport with connecting Air bridges. I thought I would be walking across the tarmac accompanied by Buffaloes, chooks, dogs and assorted wild animals.

[terry57]

To say I was gob smacked by the Airport was an Understatement. I had done no research into this trip and left it all up to my friend to sort. My gig was our road trip once back in Thailand. I was under the mistaken impression that Burma would be similar to traveling India which by the way is real hard work. How wrong was I. A very nice greeting I had complete with friendly custom officers. They where actually happy to have us there. Bloody brilliant.

[natalie8]

That's great to hear and see! Great stuff so far.

[terry57]

Once I cleared customs I wandered outside for a look see. Shit what a surprise, no stinky backpackers, very few tourists and an organized transport system. On the money front there are official money changes at every airport so no need to piss around changing money on the black market as you will read in the guide books. Burma has made huge progress in the last year I found out. The banks in the Airport offer competitive exchange rates so change a shit load of dosh when you get there.They only exchange $ US, Euro and strangely enough Singapore Dollars. Just make sure your cash is in pristine condition or they wont take it, we got caught with a few notes. Also make sure you have enough cash for your trip, very few places take credit cards but charge 27%. No shit shirlock. Bewarned. ATM's have arrived but are only available in a few top end Five star hotels.

[terry57]

I had a pick up waiting provided by our guesthouse so that was very handy and saved me pissing around trying to get to my accommodation. No probs as Taxis are cheap and plentiful. I get into a rickety old bus with ten other punters and off we go through the streets of Yangon and my first experience with this great country.First impressions were good.

[terry57]

This sight really had a big impression on me. This dude was the representative of our Guesthouse and had his life savings securely tucked away into the back of his longy. Most of the guys wear a dress but are not pooves. Anyway, try this in my city and the wallet would be felched in approximately 2.5 light seconds. This sight told me that Yangon is still a very safe city for locals and Tourists. Actually it was quite a surprise at just how welcomed we where in the country where ever we went. Bloody brilliant. We stayed in Guesthouses and minor hotels simply because staying in top hotels means your money goes straight into the coffers of the Military Government. Staying local means your dollars go to the local people which is a big consideration if one likes to support the locals.

[terry57]

45 minutes later our bus pulls up outside my Guest house and its game on. Jeez, gagging for a nice cool beer after yesterdays drama. The bus was an old public transport bus which ply the streets of Yangon.

[Bower]

Great start to your trip report,thanks

[terry57]

We stayed at the " Motherland Inn 2 ", it was located approximately 15 minutes out of town in a residential neighborhood with no other guesthouses or hotels anywhere near by. Perfect for me as I like to be out a bit and walk exploring the local area. We payed $ 30 for a reasonable sized room with large bathroom, AC and Aircon plus breakfast. Bloody bargain considering how prices are rising quickly in the accommodation department, tourism is just starting to kick off and there's a distinct lack of mid range accommodation in the country. Get here quick if you want to see Burma void of mass tourism.

[terry57]

This ain't koh San Road, one could fire a gun down the street and not hit anyone. I was in my element here. I'm standing directly outside the Guesthouse.

[beerlaodrinker]

Sounds like you got of to a shitty start with the visa, what are you using to post your pics by the way, I cant see em

[cheekyman]

excellent post most informative!!

[terry57]

Some of the staff having a friendly game of takraw. Quite casual these lot are and just cruise along. They have not been ruined by mass tourism yet and like us dudes. Nice feelings abound. See how long it lasts EH.

[terry57]

This dude comes rambling down the road flogging god knows what.

[terry57]

This is the choice of transport for the common people, they even get around the city in the traffic. Regards the motorcycle, they are forbidden in the city of Yangon and when you do see one it is being ridden by a government official only. The common people cannot ride them on the streets which after experiencing Vietnam 4 times is quite refreshing. The streets seem quiet void of motorbikes.

[terry57]

Funny little things they are as they carry two paying punters. One faces forward and one faces backward, dam hard work for the dude providing the get up and go but there making an honest buck.

[terry57]

After a tug and scrub up we decide its time to settle in for an afternoon of beer drinking. After the day before I was well up for an all day session of lager and assorted madness. We teamed up with a Canadian guy and his wife and started knocking the head from the big boys.Bloody good beer by the way but not as good as Dark beer Lao.

[terry57]

Yes well, carry on EH, no rules on holiday is there except paying the man the next day with a blinding hangover.