One day in Rangoon

[Marmite the Dog]

I popped over to Rangoon the other day, so I thought I'd share some photos and colonial bigotry with you all.

I flew over with AirAsia. Their return flight was less than 5,000 THB.

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get a visa as the Burmese Embassy like to fek you about, especially if you're a nasty lawyer. If you're a journalist; forget it. Visa fees are 810 Baht for 3 days waiting or 1010 Baht if you want it the next day. Don't go there late in the morning and expect to walk away with your visa that day. It ain't going to happen, even if you are arrogant and Germanic.

The flight is an hour and a quarter and you soon arrive and the generic paid-for-by-Japan-SEAsian-airport-with-a-big-gaudy-bit-stuck-on-the-side-to-show-visitors-who-we-really-are.

I had a taxi waitng for me ($15US or about $8 if you get one from the airport) and I was whisked away to the Classique Inn (classiqueinn[at]mptmail.net.mm).

The inn is located on a little crescent that appears to have been washed away in last years floods. Luckily, my stay there was nice and dry, so I didn't need to bring my wellies. The Classique Inn charges $30 for one person or $35 for two in one of their very comfortable upstairs rooms.





The bathroom looked really good, but the water in the shower was a tiny trickle and pretty much useless.



Breakfast is served on the small outside patio and it is rather a good way to start the day.



After breakfast, I got a taxi to take me downtown to see what the city of Rangoon offered the casual tourist. I made a point of not going to that big pagoda thingy, as I wanted to see something different.

[Marmite the Dog]

I asked one of the Inn's owners where else I could go and they recommended starting at the Sule Pagoda. Oh joy...

Anyway, if you're upset that I didn't visit the Schwedagon Pagoda, here's a piccie I took as we were waiting at a set of traffic lights.



Eventually, the driver stopped at a small bus station and told me we had arrived.



Yes, that's the right one.



The pagoda has a number of entrances, my favourite one being on the footbridge. But, as a foreigner I could only use the main entrance, where presumably, they would fleece me. So, I didn't bother going in and instead went over the road to the Maha Bandoola Garden. On the bridge one could see evidence of the Dark Ages.



In the middle of the Gardens is a big monument to something or other. I can't read Burmese, so I've no idea what it's for.





It is also pretty apparent, that nothing with any architectural integrity has been constructed for about 50 years.

Old...






New...



Case closed M'lud.

[reinvented]

nice pics, it does look a bit shit though doesent it?

[Marmite the Dog]

I wandered down to the river, but there was nothing to see except commercial docks. Even The Strand Hotel didn't inspire. I found an internet cafe, but Yahoo! was blocked and then they decided to turn the generator off, so I though 'bollocks' to this and went for lunch.

The Fifty Street Bar had decent reviews, so I went there. The decor was pretty well done and it was comfortable to be out of the heat.







Whilst waiting for my Chilli Con Carne of Foccacia, I ordered a bottle of the local beer, called Myanmar (wherever that is) Beer.



It tasted a bit like a Froggy Beer Blond, so that was rather disappointing. But not as disappointing as lunch.



What the fuck was that?!

It was sustinance, I suppose. After lunch, I caught another taxi to the Inya Lake, as there was an Irish Bar in the basement of the Sedona Hotel and it wasn't too far away from the Classique Inn where I was staying.

[Marmite the Dog]

At the lake was a kids fun-fair and a few bars. I was hoping the pathway would meander gently around the lake, but it just ended in a dead-end. So I give you...

...some trees...



...the back of a really grotty bar...



...and safety standards borrowed from Thailand.



Further around the lake were little benches where couples could snuggle up and snog each other. Err, very nice.



I'll never be a top wildlife photographer.

[Marmite the Dog]

It was getting rather warm as I made my way around the lake and on to University Avenue Road. Why they need to have it as an avenue and I road, I'll never know, but it seems that the posh houses are located along here. Sadly, most of them are done in the new-gaudy style favoured by Asians, but there were still one of two houses with a bit of class left.



Next door to this house is the new US Embassy. I wanted to take a photo of the US Seal which is on the front wall, but they had a couple of Nazis on the front gate who thought I was Bin Laden's more handsome brother. After a 10 minute interrogation I went on my way. I'd like to see these kunts get away with shit like that in London. Another example of American officials being a disgrace to their country.

OK, back to Burma and my last few pictures before I went to the Paddy Pub in the hotel and then home (by about 7.30).

[Marmite the Dog]

If you really, really have to go to Rangoon, I do recommend the Classique Inn, especially if they manage to sort their plumbing out.

Otherwise, I wouldn't bother as it is pretty crap to be honest. I bet my grandfather is wondering why he bothered killing loads of Japs to liberate this place.

[kingwilly]

nice work, the British club is nice.

helps if you know people and therefore have an idea of where to go.

some nice indian tea houses with delicious snacks down near the docks area.

couple of nightclubs that could be a clone of cm2 or whatever in town as well. (dont ask me where, i was drunk)

[Marmite the Dog]

Originally Posted by kingwilly

helps if you know people and therefore have an idea of where to go.

Same with most places, I guess.

[Thai Pom]

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

if they manage to sort their plumbing out.

About 20 Years ago I stayed in what was then the Inya Lake Hotel, totally run by Russians. They had added differant taps / shower heads to the original plumbing. It was great fun after a few beers working out which position the valves /taps had to be in just to get wet. It would seems it hasn't changed much.

Great Shots Marmite, cheers.

[Mr Pot]

I was planning to go for my next visa, looks a bit shit now - but very useful to have posted here so thanks. Is the nightlife anygood at all?

[panama hat]

Nice photos, Marmite . . . old glory is about all they have.

[Nawty]

Nice...it actually looks more civilised than I thought.

That wooden bar could be anywhere in Bkk even.

Even the food looked ok.....what was it again ?

Where are the girly pics ?

[jandajoy]

The hotel looked good.
The food looked awful
The beer ? sounds like it was mediocre.
No girls.
Why bother.

Good pics though, cheers.

[mobs00]

^ What he said.

[watterinja]

Nice thread, Marshite. Excellent pics. Thanks.

[Mr Pot]

What other beers available? any draught? Anyone to actually have a beer with???

[klongmaster]

Marmers: interesting stuff but one gets the feel that you didn't have a great time...
was there are reason for the trip apart from ticking another one of the list?...

[Marmite the Dog]

Originally Posted by Mr Pot

Is the nightlife anygood at all?

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I went to the Paddy Pub in the hotel and then home (by about 7.30)

Originally Posted by Mr Pot

What other beers available?

Skol (brewed locally), Guinness & ABC Stout (in cans) and there was another local beer that I can't remember tha name of now. But basically, it's all shite.

Originally Posted by klongmaster

was there are reason for the trip

3 Month visa run and I wanted to check it out. As KW said, it would've been better if I knew someone there, but I didn't.

[jandajoy]

We need a TD contact list. A mobile number or email address that you can call. Separate form the forum and only open to bona fide members.

Alternatively, post the fact that you're going some where new and you'd like to meet up.

Unless they don't like you...