Myanmar-Visit in June 2019 (Yangon revisited

It's the 5th time my visit to Yangon and every visit there is a change and finding something new. This time around, it was the first time for me to stay in Chinatown, Yangon, and location wise, it is quite convenient to move around.Shwedagon Pagoda, as written earlier, visited for the second time and first time at nite time which is quite a new experience.

And staying at Best Western Chinatown is a totally new experience too. location was quite good, and easy to get grab car service to and from this place. Breakfast was good, and I especially like the bread, super delicious.

Breakfast at Best Western Chinatown

Then start exploring the city,Bogyoke market for a start a first time for me, purpose is to actually find the lacquerware, but I didnt like what I found in the market. But instead, got a piece of table top, from a handicraft shop in this market.

Bogyoke market

Bogyoke market from opposite road

Then a visit to a handicraft shop which I found from Google, thanks a lot with this finding, finally I found a good tiffin lacquerware, and bought it. It is quite good quality and I am very happy with the purchase. Intend to buy more during my next visit there, hopefully.

I got a set from this series

Then lunch, without having an idea, just a gut feel from a so called veteran traveler (if you allowed me to use this term), happened to see this restaurant while walking around and inner feeling was telling me to try the food here, hence the pictures given below. It was a good choice and food was simple and delicious.

The cook

The restaurant, just two blocks away from Best Western Chinatown

Then walking along the way to the secretariat, which on the way, you will pass by a lot of colonial buildings under renovations.

The new city hall

The monument

 And the final part of the day trip was to the Secretariat, bought a ticket and the guide explained to us the historical aspect of this venue, etc. very interesting and I think it is a must visit place for tourists, both locals and foreigners.

At the open field, main entrance to the former Parliament house, at the Secretariat

The old clock, at the Secretariat

The open field of the secretariat

Inner picture, the beautiful stairways of the Secretariat

And the final part of this whole trip and the finale, is visiting this restaurant in Yangon, recommended by my Burmese friend. You cannot imagine there is this such a beautiful restaurant in this old surrounding neighborhood but once you are inside, you feel you are back to colonial times....very nice good and atmosphere. It is called Burma Bistro, please visit this place.

 The pictures above are all taken at Burma Bistro.

 And finally, at the new airport, getting ready to leave. It is quite a meaningful trip, like all my other trips and each trip, I trust and believe has all come with an intention and purpose and I am glad and happy with the opportunity and chance given to visit, experience and see for myself these places. I am full of gratitude. Thanks a lot, thanks again.

Choong
Written on 16 July 2019

Myanmar- Trip in June2019 (Hsipaw to Mandalay, Mandalay to Yangon

 Today, is to go back to Mandalay, from Hsipaw. Friend suggested using road instead of train, to see different view and that was a good suggestion, as we see different sceneries, along the way. Half way before reaching Mandalay airport, the driver was nice enough to stop at a view point for us to take pic which is shared below. It costs about Kyat 90,000 to charter the whole taxi from Hsipaw town centre to Mandalay airport and from Mandalay to Yangon city, we were using Myanmar airways which we booked via Cheapair platform, costing about USD 120 per pax/ Everything went smoothly and we arrived to destination on time, and had our beer and meal together with our friend, before moving to Shewadagon Pagoda for a nite time visit which is a totally new experience and less crowded.

                                         The view point

 

Myanmar Airways for flight from Mandalay to Yangon

Beer together and meal in Yangon restaurant. Beer was good.

Shwedagon Pagoda at nite time was totally different from day time visit. It is cooling, less crowded and more quiet which is nice for a visit, for prayers and for taking pictures. I would recommend nite time trip if you can arrange your itinerary well.

 Yangon, the 5th time visit, and after a lapse of 4 years, is totally changed. The roads are wider, cars are a lot more and traffic is very heavy....this is something I dislike but with better economy and development, that is a usual case. Hopefully, they are able to plan out their subway system in advance,

Choong

Written on 16 July 2019