A few pics from Myanmar

[Mandaloopy]

Been a busy term but did have some time to travel- mostly in and around Mandalay. Will make some longer trips next term in the time off.
Mandalay has a beach of sorts- as you can see the water is clean enough for a dip.


It's called 7 mile beach- just take a side road next to the start of the hill on the way to Pyin Oo Lwin. Speaking of Pyin Oo Lwin it is the closest place for a weekend away. It's famous for a botanical garden. The climate is nice although it can be a little dull.


I have a fear of birds- thought I was over it until the bastard hissed at me.

Last place on the list is Mandalay's "New" Waterfall- seriously it's but a decade old and was formed due to mine blasts apparently. Beautiful and an easy enough hike.
I'll leave them in another post- internet is playing up

[Mandaloopy]

[Neverna]

Some nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

[Nicethaiza]

Nice pics...I look at pics mosy burmese not wear short...

[Mandaloopy]

Took a walk up Mandalay Hill today as the gym was closed and I wanted some exercise. It was crowded today as it is a religious holiday here too- interesting to see the hill with people as it is usually very quiet.

[Luigi]

Very nice mate. You got yourself a nice buxom Burmese lass (or three) yet bud?

[YourDaddy]

Very nice mate. You got yourself a nice buxom Burmese lass (or three) yet bud?

You don't know Mandaloopy....

[Luigi]

That be correct.

[armstrong]

he's one of dem gays you hear about in de news.

[harrybarracuda]

So I have a night there in August with a farang chick in tow (not a gf, just travelling partner).

What to do?

Nice restaurant? Bars?

And I'm booked into the Triumph Hotel?

OK or should I pick something else?

[thaimeme]

Very nice mate. You got yourself a nice buxom Burmese lass (or three) yet bud?

Burman ladies are the great hidden secret of SE Asia.
Delightful.

[Mandaloopy]

So I have a night there in August with a farang chick in tow (not a gf, just travelling partner).

What to do?

Nice restaurant? Bars?

And I'm booked into the Triumph Hotel?

OK or should I pick something else?

Decent hotel, it'll be fine. Book a three city tour like this lot did:https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserR...ay_Region.html

U Bein Bridge at sunset is a must! Food wise, if you want to try the local stuff Green Elephant is clean and safe if a little dull. BBB/Cafe Nova/Bistro 82 are the nicest for Western food. Indian Tadka for Indian and Golden Duck (palace branch) for Chinese food. Nightlife is sedate- find a nice beer station and enjoy some cold ones. Central Park near the Swan Hotel if you want to mingle with other Westerners- mostly an expat crowd.

[Luigi]

he's one of dem gays you hear about in de news.

Well if he finds some available buxum Burmese lasses, he can send them my way. I'll take seven.

[katie23]

Thnx for the pix, mandaloopy. That elevator "bridge" reminds me of the one in Schwedagon pagoda. Cheers!

[harrybarracuda]

So I have a night there in August with a farang chick in tow (not a gf, just travelling partner).

What to do?

Nice restaurant? Bars?

And I'm booked into the Triumph Hotel?

OK or should I pick something else?

Decent hotel, it'll be fine. Book a three city tour like this lot did:https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserR...ay_Region.html

U Bein Bridge at sunset is a must! Food wise, if you want to try the local stuff Green Elephant is clean and safe if a little dull. BBB/Cafe Nova/Bistro 82 are the nicest for Western food. Indian Tadka for Indian and Golden Duck (palace branch) for Chinese food. Nightlife is sedate- find a nice beer station and enjoy some cold ones. Central Park near the Swan Hotel if you want to mingle with other Westerners- mostly an expat crowd.

It's a bit whistlestop tbh. I fly BKK-Mandalay-Bagan and have four days there; head to Mandalay early on Day 5 for a day and a night; then off to Chiang Mai for a couple of days, then a couple of days in Bangkok.

Already sorted everywhere, but as I don't know the hotel, I though I'd ask. Generally good reviews on Tripadvisor.

What are taxis like, do you negotiate before you get in or do they have meters?

[Mandaloopy]

It's a bit whistlestop tbh. I fly BKK-Mandalay-Bagan and have four days there; head to Mandalay early on Day 5 for a day and a night; then off to Chiang Mai for a couple of days, then a couple of days in Bangkok.

Already sorted everywhere, but as I don't know the hotel, I though I'd ask. Generally good reviews on Tripadvisor.

What are taxis like, do you negotiate before you get in or do they have meters?

Should be enough time to see the sites- you could hire an e-bike in Bagan for around 6000 kyat or get a driver for 25,000-35,000. The ebikes are fun as heck so I would go for that option. Plus you can get to the smaller pagodas.

Taxis in Mandalay have to be haggled- anything from 3000-5000 kyat is fair. Motorcycle taxis range from 1500 to 3000 kyat.

[harrybarracuda]

It's a bit whistlestop tbh. I fly BKK-Mandalay-Bagan and have four days there; head to Mandalay early on Day 5 for a day and a night; then off to Chiang Mai for a couple of days, then a couple of days in Bangkok.

Already sorted everywhere, but as I don't know the hotel, I though I'd ask. Generally good reviews on Tripadvisor.

What are taxis like, do you negotiate before you get in or do they have meters?

Should be enough time to see the sites- you could hire an e-bike in Bagan for around 6000 kyat or get a driver for 25,000-35,000. The ebikes are fun as heck so I would go for that option. Plus you can get to the smaller pagodas.

Taxis in Mandalay have to be haggled- anything from 3000-5000 kyat is fair. Motorcycle taxis range from 1500 to 3000 kyat.

OK ta.

[Mandaloopy]

Heads up on ebikes- the handle sand even worse than a regular scooter. If you want to hire a scooter in Mandalay pleases send a PM- have a couple of contacts. Driving here requires total concentration! Actually, it does anywhere- that sounded silly. Just be careful- coworker was in a nasty bike wreck this weekend and was lucky to walk away from it.

[tdar]

[harrybarracuda]

Heads up on ebikes- the handle sand even worse than a regular scooter. If you want to hire a scooter in Mandalay pleases send a PM- have a couple of contacts. Driving here requires total concentration! Actually, it does anywhere- that sounded silly. Just be careful- coworker was in a nasty bike wreck this weekend and was lucky to walk away from it.

I don't do scooters etc. Too many arseholes on the road and they offer you no protection.

Funnily enough most of the one-legged people I know live in Thailand and all of them are deficient in the leg department due to being hit on a bike.

[Phuketrichard]

Bagan u can get a horse cart for 20,000 kyat.
scooters are NOT available for rent and to legally ride one u need a Burmese drivers license
Ebikes are best and not to worry,very light traffic,if u use it all day make sure to stop and recharge the battery
Last dec hired a tax for 15,000 kyat for around 5 hours in Mandalay

[Mandaloopy]

Mandalay Motorbike Rental and Tours
This guy is well worth contacting if you are in Mandalay and want to get off the beaten track a little. Still working on a way to get permits for the far north of Kachin state but renewed fighting is proving to be a barrier. Shame, as it looks stunning up there.

[harrybarracuda]

I posted this in another thread.

For two of us, $50 a day for a car + driver seems quite reasonable, although I fully expect there will be some "add ons" *cough*.

https://www.scapetour.com/booking/bagan-car-rental

[Mandaloopy]

Seems like a good idea and the rate seems fair. If you are looking for a hotel I stayed here: Hotel Yadanarbon Bagan
The pool was really welcome for a cool dip and an icy cold beer after a day of exploring. Decent food,too- the burger was good by Myanmar standards. Quiet rooms and decent aircon- they weren't shy about using the generator which is a must in Bagan as it can get very hot.

Edit: I did find some company that will take foreigners to Putao, at 2000USD and upwards per trek it doesn't come cheap.

[harrybarracuda]

Seems like a good idea and the rate seems fair. If you are looking for a hotel I stayed here: Hotel Yadanarbon Bagan
The pool was really welcome for a cool dip and an icy cold beer after a day of exploring. Decent food,too- the burger was good by Myanmar standards. Quiet rooms and decent aircon- they weren't shy about using the generator which is a must in Bagan as it can get very hot.

Edit: I did find some company that will take foreigners to Putao, at 2000USD and upwards per trek it doesn't come cheap.

I'm staying here:

Aye Yar River View Resort, Old Bagan Myanmar

No trekking for me, I'm too old for that shit.