What is your first impression towards this country - Myanmar? Situated next to Thailand, Myanmar has yet to capture the people's choice of traveling destination as compared to Thailand and had been listed as the least developed country in the world by The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Let me share some of my experiences during my short trip to Yangon and Bago with my girlfriends. A reminder to Malaysians who would like to visit Myanmar after this, kindly ensure you have obtained a valid visa before departing to Myanmar. There are two ways for you to apply for a visa - Option 1, online application; Option 2, proceed to Everfine Services Sdn Bhd which is located near to LRT Masjid Jamek. Other landmarks would be Masjid Jamek Burger King /Macdonalds or 7-11 outlet.
The currency used in Myanmar is known as Kyat which we do not have it available in our forex. Hence, do bring enough of USD and you may proceed to the foreign currency exchange booth once you arrived in Yangon airport.
After settling down our backpacks at the hostel in Yangon, we decided to experience the local street dining to wrap up the day. Here is where we stayed. Electrical wires dangling all around.
Speaking about the cleanliness of the city, I've seen people littering around and peeing on the road as we walked by. Most people in Myanmar do not speak English, we communicated via body language most of the time.
The local street food was acceptable. Just the eating table was a bit too low and stray dogs watching over you hoping you will share some food with them. I used to have a dog as my pet at home and generally, I do not hate dogs. Hence, this is why I can still continue my meal even with the presence of the dog.
After dinner, the 4 of us detoured to another route back to our hostel and we passed by Sule Pagoda on our way back. It is a small pagoda located in the centre of Yangon, surrounded by busy streets and colonial-era buildings like the Supreme court building and Yangon city hall.
We woke up as early as 6am to catch the early train (8AM) to Bago and the Golden Rock. Bago was formerly known as Pegu. Traveling time via train from Yangon to Bago took us 2 hours.
We had booked the "first class" seats and this is how the Myanmar Railway interior looks like.
The exterior of Myanmar Railway.
After exiting the train station, there was a "taxi" waiting outside of the station but the driver will ensure the taxi is full before they start driving away. They will try to fit everyone in one taxi and the scene looked exactly like escaping refugees.
Mount Kyaiktiyo (Kyite Htee Yoe), famous for the huge golden rock perched at its summit, is one of the three most sacred religious sites in Myanmar. The rock looks like it is going to topple any time soon was said that it was balanced by the hair of Buddha. Well, it's a legend. Believe it or not , it's up to you.
The effort in making your way up is exhilarating via a packed picked up truck. It was definitely a roller coaster ride! Hold on tight during your ride. Look, their fee cover for your life insurance. I wonder how much do they cover?
4 of us decided to go for a high tea at one of the stores around the area before we head back to the hotel.
We took a bus ride to return to Yangon the next morning. On our way back, we stopped by Bago town to view a few stupas, walked the Bago market etc.
Most of the pagodas here do have a donation box for people to donate money as the contribution will be used to upkeep the respective pagoda.
Back in Yangon, we visited Shwedagon Pagoda, Bogyoke Market, Aung San Suu Kyi House and the night we before we departed home, we decided to go for a scrumptious meal at the Karaweik palace, a place to discover authentic food and traditional performances.
