Myanmar (mis)Adventures 2013: 23.06 - 30.06.2013 (Part Two)

Day 5: 26th Jun 2013

We woke up as early as 430 AM to watch the sun rise. To cut it short, we got lost finding Shwesandaw pagoda, the pagoda renowned for best place to watch sunrise. So we stopped at Damanyangyi Temple (The biggest temple in Bagan) to watch the sunrise. Me and Kan Xuan managed to climb a ruined wall in the premise of Damanyangyi Temple.

Beautiful Sunrise

And my favorite shot of the day, jump shot. I'm a fan of jump shots. 

Artistic shot by Kan Xuan. 

Can you spot me?

At the gate of Damanyangi Pagoda. 

After visiting Damanyangi, we headed back to hotel to shower, relax, had our breakfast and then off to Bagan ancient town. For your info, Bagan was the beginning of Myanmar as well as the beginning of Buddhism. The temples here were built over a thousand years ago. There used to be countless number of temples in Bagan but many were destroyed during the earthquake.

There are still many temples that showcased the culture and tradition of Bagan, the first Myanmar.

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
Cheerleaders wannabes. We sure attracted a lot of attention there. Haha, we looked like some jokers to the locals. There were people who literally stopped at the road to look at us. Who knows, we were the first people to do that in Bagan. #YOLO!

 

 

We met Chun-hao, a fellow traveler from Taiwan. He is real friendly person. Managed to bond and talk with him for a while. Got his facebook address, hope we can keep in touch. 

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Ananda Temple

:)

View of Bagan

Panoramic View of Bagan Pagodas

Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Oh yeah!

Then we went off to see sunset at Bu Phaya at the brink of Ayeyarwaddy River. Just before we go back to Hotel to wait for Bus to pick us. We were leaving Bagan to Yangon at night.

Magnificent, isn't it. Well, a day in Bagan was the highlight of the trip even though it was an impromptu decision to visit Bagan. Worth every single moment. So reader, if you are thinking of travelling to Bagan, Myanmar, here are a few tips that you should take note of. 

1) When you are at the temples, pagodas, kids/adults will approach you to sell postcards. They can be pretty aggressive. Simply walk away, just ignore them. Yeah, I know it is kind of cruel but well. 

2) There will be people following you insisting on telling you the story, myths, legends of Bagan or the temples. Put on a deaf ear, they will eventually walk away. Or else, prepare to pay them some money. They are going to bug you to give them some money for telling you the story.

3) You can rent a bicycle for whole day at 3 USD or 1000 Burmese Kyats. 

4) You might have to purchase permit card to visit the ancient temples which costs 15 USD now, but you can avoid paying. It's up to you whether you want to take the risk or not. 

5) Best sunrise and sunset can be seen at Shwesandaw Pagoda. So, be there as early as 430 AM and 500 PM respectively. If you prefer watching sunrise at more tranquil place, I recommend going to Damanyangi Pagoda too. And climb the walls of the temple, don't worry they are easy to climb. 

6) Keep your valuables with you all the times. Don't be surprised when kids approached you for money and keep following you until for God's sake. Just ignore them. Because the moment you gave them money, you will be surrounded by more and more kids asking you for money. You might not want to witness a bloody scene. ;)

7) Good luck and enjoy Bagan. You won't regret going there. 

Funfair at Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda

Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda at night. Looking marvelous and magnificent. /\

Part three to be continued. 

Myanmar (mis)Adventures 2013: 23.06 - 30.06.2013

As promised, here is the post about my Myanmar trip, an epic and unforgettable adventure with three jokers. Enjoy!

Day 1: 23rd Jun 2013

We checked in at Changi Airport terminal 1. We are flying with Golden Myanmar Airlines, Flight Y5 234. A low cost airlines. Thankfully we checked in early and managed to get the seats at emergency exit. Well, emergency exit = more leg room.

At Changi Airport Terminal 1, ready to depart 

Managed to snap a photo with friendly cabin attendants

Welcome dinner at home

So, we arrived at Yangon safe and sound despite the heavy turbulence before landing.After settling down at my home for accommodation for the night, we went to Man Nyo Taw cafe for supper. That was where we witnessed an accident right in front of our eyes on our way back to home. As we were about to cross the road, a car lost control and span across the road, hitting the passerby. We were super close to get hit by the car. If only we take one more step, you wouldn't see me blogging here. Thankfully we escaped unharmed. My mind went black that instant, could not think of any thing except grabbing my mom, aunt and friends' arm to cross the road away from the accident site. It was really selfish of me but their safety are more important to me at that moment. I am responsible for my friends safety since I brought them to Myanmar. 

Well, that was a close shave with death on day. The victims of the car accident escaped death with minor injuries, sprains and scratches, as I was told. Phew. Thank Buddha.

First night in Yangon. 

Day 2: 24th Jun 2013

We headed to Shwedagon Pagoda in the morning with all of us dressed in Burmese attire. 

Shimin and her Burmese dress belongs to my cousin.

Kan Xuan with my aunt and Pyae Pyae. He looks like some clown. Oops. x)

All of us wearing Burmese traditional attires and getting ready to leave!

We stopped by at Aunty Kyi's (Mabel) house to meet up with them. The lady in middle is Aunty Kyi's sister. 

OH YEA, NEEDLESS TO SAY. WE STOPPED BY OUTSIDE AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S HOUSE TOO. DIDN'T MANAGED TO SEE HER BUT WE WENT TO AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S HOUSE. OH YEAH! WE WERE POSTING HER NAME (A.S.S.K) *U Aung wasn't happy with it as he thought we were being disrespectful, which we were not. Oh well, he's a hardcore supporter of the Lady. 

With U Aung!

After much delaying, we finally arrived at Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Marvelous and magnificent temple, a representation of Buddhists' faith, devotion and their generosity. Needless to say, I am still awestruck no matter how many times I have been there. 

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon.

Thankfully the three jokers managed to pass off as Burmese, no one approached them for entrance fee which costs 5 USD. Then come Bo Ta Taung pagoda located at the shore of Yangon River, where strand of Lord Buddha's hair was enshrined. 

Me and Aunty Mabel at Yangon River posing like a scene from Titanic. Fail much? Haha

On our way back home, it was raining heavily and the taxi driver drove like F1 grand prix. We were praying for our lives as the ride felt like roller coaster ride and the visibility was real poor. It was really horrifying experience. Oh man! Another close shave with death. 

And off to Mandalay we go. 

Day 3: 25th Jun 2013

So we arrived Mandalay as early as 5 AM and it was already day time by the time we arrived Mandalay. My uncle drove us to U Bein bridge as our first destination in Mandalay. For your info, U Bein bridge is the world's longest and oldest teak bridge built over 200 years ago and spreading across Taung Ta Man Lake at 1 miles long. 

U Bein Bridge. By the way, it has the best sunset and sun rise in Mandalay, according to locals. We met many foreigners on the bridge. 

A fisherman throwing fishing net. Oh yeah, we took a boat ride across the lake.

Impromptu much, but we went to Pyin Oo Lwin, famous for it's scenery and renown as flower city. It boasts the largest variety of flowers in Myanmar.

At Kan Taw Gyi National Park

The Myanmar gang. 

We stopped by at 21 Miles Stop to take a look at Mandalay. You can view the whole of Mandalay from here. Pretty cool, ain't it? (Panoramic view, credits to Kan Xuan)

And we checked in at Kin Won Min Gyi Monastery at U Ti's monastery. U Ti is a family monk who took care of me since I was young. He was like a father monk to me. 

Day 4: 26th Jun 2013

We went to Mandalay Hill, Kuthodaw Pagoda (World Largest Book) and Mahamuni Pagoda in the morning. We were joined by my cousin, Ma Pyae. :)

 U Ti and Me

Mandalay Hill Pagoda

View from Mandalay Hill

Xinyi, Ma Pyae and Shimin

With Le Mom. :)

Mandalay Fort

They are trying to chew Beetle leaf for the first time. Shimin looks like she's pregnant. Oops!

At Kuthodaw Pagoda, the world's largest book.

Jump shot at Kuthuodaw Pagoda

At Mahamuni Buddha's Image. The feeling when I was paying homage to the Buddha, it feel real good. Indescribable feeling. Click here for information on Mahamuni Great Image. 

Buddham Saranam Gacchermi. 

And BAGAN, HERE WE COME! Impromptu trip as well but AWESOME! Finally checked in at Aung Mingalar Hotel after searching many places for affordable accommodation. By the way, if you are thinking of going to Bagan, I would recommend staying at Aung Mingalar Hotel. It has the friendly stuff who can speak pretty good English. The rate is cheap too compared to other hotels. The hotel is located opposite Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda.  There are hostels and guest houses too but it is available only to Burmese citizens. Foreigners will have to stay at hotel, it is a policy. Unfair but well. 

Pretty and Round full moon. Magnificent. :)

By the way, when we arrived at Bagan that night, there was a funfair and night market at Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda. Coincidence much isn't it! Well, what more could we ask for? So much awesomeness.

In Aung Mingalar Hotel getting ready to go to the funfair. 

Part two: to be continued.