One day in Rangoon

[Nawty]

End of March.

[Jarvis]

Good pics mate, where's the girlie bar pics yer lazy twat , or did the misses go with you?

[Toptuan]

I noticed how wood seems to be used so much more in interior design, than in Thailand. (Your pics of the hotel room and bar). Thailand must've looked this way years ago, when wood was cheaper and more plentiful. Sigh.

[blackorchid]

Nice pictures, Rangoon looks quite boring and drab, might be after the cyclone
nargis wiped all those ancient trees. Actually if you know somebody, you'll
probably have a lot of fun. Burmese people are fun loving and very friendly and
hospitable. Economic situation is very bad at present. Thank you and everyone who
takes time to post pictures and gives out a lot of info and wonderful tips.

[Fabian]

I
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.

The missus commented on that picture: "How typical." I wonder what she meant by that.

[Marmite the Dog]

The missus commented on that picture: "How typical." I wonder what she meant by that.

I have absolutely no idea. The cheeky bint!

Give a peck from me anyway.

[Ghandi]

Fantastic Teak Wood All Over That Place

[Wallalai]

Interesting pics thanks, doesn't look as a gourmet travel place though.

[who]

Good pictures/thread. I'm planning on doing a week in Rangoon/Chin State in a few months.

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.

Why would you order Chili Con Carne in Burma? How about some Burmese food.

I loved Myanmar beer, but back home I really liked French Canadian Blond beer.

.

Burmese food is bloody awful. The local beer is OK.
When visiting Burma, forget Rangoon. Go directly to Mandalay and go around from there.

.

[Jet Gorgon]

Nice pics, Marmers. Thanks. Erm, where are all the people? The streets look so empty.

[Rural Surin]

Nice pics, Marmers. Thanks. Erm, where are all the people? The streets look so empty.

They were all at their respective country clubs that day. All driving SUVs with 'Save Burma' bumper stickers.

[Toptuan]

Interesting pics thanks, doesn't look as a gourmet travel place though.

Third world developing country in the grips of a paranoid blood-thirsty military regime. Duh!

[Rural Surin]

Interesting pics thanks, doesn't look as a gourmet travel place though.

Not for Western fare...one wouldn't expect that. For local food? Outstanding. Just because they don't do Farang eating well, doesn't make it vacant of such gourmet trends.

[cambtek]

Lots of info on ISG about good night spots in rangoon-well good for rangoon anyway.
Girls not cheap and very conservative apparently

[smeden]

nice pics

[Ghandi]

Nice report ,

[Digitalwolf]

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...

Sounds like a good idea, or maybe the start of an idea. Some folks might not want to give out their phone numbers.

I still need to figure out what Groups are here on this forum and if I fit into any of them. Suggestions or info on how to do that anyone?

[Bower]

I am posting this from the Park Royal Hotel in Rangoon, so far Burmese food very agreeable, hotel is ok $90 a night including good breakfast buffet.
Night club open untill 0100hrs, awful music, very pretty girls LT approx $25 or free if you are young and handsome!
The people are very friendly, its nice after BKK to have someones help that isn't gonna cost one way or the other.

Big change since last year is the arrival of mobile phones that most people can afford.

The winds they are a changing!

[gazelle5661]

I'm off to Rangoon/Yangon next January, only thing on the itinerary so far is a visit to Mandalay, a magical name I have to tick-off.
Among earliest memories are B/W snaps of the old man posing by the Irrawaddy, slouch hat in hand, kitted out in what must be khaki issue.
The Classique Inn gets a good review by Marmite, any other recommendations?

[phazey]

I lived in Burma for 10 years (up until a year ago) So thought I'd dedicate my first post to a bit of informative one liners for prospective travelers. If there's anything i miss i'd be happy to give it a shot in later posts

If you're thinking of traveling to Mandalay, take the extra shot and go up to May Myo - It's a lovely place - not scummy like Yangon, up in the hills. A good afternoon can be spent at the Ayuthaya vinyard for some reasonable plonk. Fantastic views too.

If you're a business type, check out the bar at the Savoy hotel on Dhamazedi road - it's the local expat hangout, so you'll probably hookup.

If you're a golfer, try the Yangon Golf Course - this is the one built by the brits in 1909 - should cost $21 a round. It was a great course but i never played there after the cyclone. Prices range from $75 for the Pun Hlaing Golf Glub (very nice, but go with a member to get half price) through to 6000kyats (5 bucks) I forget the name but it's about 50 minutes drive out, korean designed course. not bad at all. Burma and Dagon golf courses are also pretty good. Brolly caddies, bag caddies and fore caddies should not set you back more than $10 combined for tip money (usually 3000 Kyats each brings smiles). Yangon course is the only one to have male caddies, but if you are learning, they are all single number hadicap players.

Burmese food is generally minging, but please do try the Shan Kow Shwe - it's noodles with pork but the best dish they got going. Also if you venture to an outside bar, have some "laphet" - pickled tea leaves. It does go well with a beer.

I recommend Kyaiktyio. One man can move that thing - it's amazing it's still there.

Gourmet Food: If you fancy a slapup - check out Le Planteur near the Golden Hill Towers- it's the best western food in town. A little pricey but Boris has an excellent wine cellar.

University Avenue. DO NOT leave BME (the girly nightclub there) shitfaced, jump the barricades before and after The Ladies house - i was told later i could have been shot

BME: girly bar on uni avenue.

Airport taxi: it's about 4 - 6000Kyat in local money - don't be scammed.

Mobile phones: Impossible to own, but you can "rent" a sim card for 45,000 kyat a month with a 3 month deposit. Useless for the short time traveller i know...

Kandawgyi lake: Great place to sit with a few beers and watch the world walk by. A few resturants also, which are "OK"

Friday Night Ruby: Ashoka restaurant is the best indian in town, near the Nikko Hotel. The Nikko is a mainly Japanese hotel, but the downstairs bar/ kareoke rooms sometimes offer fun times. Don't go alone though.

Internet: All over the place now i'd expect, but please bare in mind it is heavily monitored. Heavily.

Beer: Best is Myanmar draft, then a close second is Dagon draft. Avoid Mandalay like the plague.

If there's anything else, i'd be happy to amend.



Memories kicked in:

If you're stuck in Yangon, try to go to Kyaw Taik. It's a little village on the river about 40 minutes to the east. There's a pagoda right in the middle of the river which you can get a boat over to to feed the catfish. Makes for a pleasant few hours.

Toddy: If you do venture to the above, check out the few local resturants on the way back who offer "Toddy" - don't drink this if you drive, it's quite potent. It goes well with the fried jungle rat the place i went to also served, which was surprisingly delicious.

If you can, go south down to Myeik. The archipelago of islands down there are truly worth the hassle. There's an island to the west called "Sular Kamuk" which is a 70 - 80 metre rock column with some great diving. Further south is Lamphi national park - Lamphi island has a herd of wild elephants on, either freed or escaped from the illegal loggers, so it was a bit unnerving. (a phuket company, SEAL, also do tours up to lamphi (no promo here)).

[Marmite the Dog]

^ Thanks.

[Frankenstein]

Agree Kow Shwe is not bad, I had some at a small Shan restaurant in the vicinity of the Sule Pagoda area. You can find Thai and Chinese food too.

The nightclub I was taken to by the locals I met was rather surreal, located near the top floor of a run-down semi-highrise building with a very shaky elevator. Packed inside though.

Girls would parade on the stage and guys (mostly Chinese looking types as far as I could make out) bought garlands for them, some of the better looking girls eventually got completely covered in garlands. I was the only white face in the place and the whole ambience seemed guarded.

[phazey]

That sounds like Galaxy or I think Paradise down by Than Gyi Zi. That elevator is a nightmare - the only exit......The old bloke who presses the buttons is a laugh though

[The Gentleman Scamp]

Long time no see Phazey, how you been and where's that cool dog/car window avatar?

[panama hat]

I lived in Burma for 10 years

Thanks for the info . . . 10 years?