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

Alright, I bet you are getting sick of waiting for more. Here it is, part four of Myanmar Trip. Enjoy! :)

Day 7: 29th Jun 2013

It was our last day in Yangon. As everyone was exhausted from travelling, running, screaming and fooling around, we decided to take a break on the last day. Well, not quite. 

We went to Mingaladon Market, the biggest market around the vicinity of Mingaladon. 

Riding motorbike to market

Fresh fruits, oh yeah, we bought 60 mangoes from this shop worth 15000 kyats (22 SGD). hahaha, the owner must be super duper happy.

Mingaladon Market

Buying veges, ingredients for the cooking later!

Unfortunately, Xinyi got her leg burned by motorbike's exhaust. That was really really painful, I can imagine the pain. But hey, I must say she is really brave. Hope she recovers soon!

During afternoon when KX was taking a break as he was down with diarrhea, I brought the girls to the paddy field nearby.

This is the convenient shop in a typical Myanmar village.

The models wannabes, but hey, the photographer is awesome right! :D

Then comes evening, duh, you don't say. While they busy preparing food for the 'cultural dinner', I sneaked off to find my buddy, Thu Aung. Man, it's been six years since I last met my best friend in Myanmar. 

The name's Thu Aung, studying medicine at Military's Academy. Doctor Acula, going to graduate next year, he is going to be a doctor soon while I am stuck in army. But I'm definitely proud of him. :)

I shall not go to detail about the cooking. Well, it was fun! We (they) managed to come out with some dishes, even though most of it did not turn out the way we wanted. But hey, it was fun I tell you! :)

Posting with my family, well, almost all!

The last day was, definitely a memorable night. Of course, there were dramas too. Like people crying, tearing up, it was quite touching. :')

Day 8: 30th Jun 2013. Home Sweet Home

It is time to say goodbye. And it was the best trip back home to Myanmar with my buddies. I love it of course despite a few misunderstandings. It was definitely an awesome trip. Well, hope to go back Myanmar with the three of them again. :)

With the family!

A farewell photo with the family

With Le Grandma and Le Aunt

Photo of the day

At airport 

With the Pilot? 

Views from the plane as it is about to Land!

And yup, Myanmar trip has come to an end. Looking forward to go back Myanmar again. :)

~ The End ~

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

Day 6: 28th Jun 2013

We arrived Yangon around 5 AM. Man, that was fast. And the bus ride was rather comfortable. Reader, if you are thinking of travelling to Bagan or Mandalay from Yangon, I would recommend you to take JJ (Joyous Journey) company. Their service is really fantastic. They even have the "bus stewardess". Haha, okay can!

 After we had our breakfast and planned our itinerary, we took a short nap. Mind you, we had not have a proper sleep since day 1.

After lunch, first destination was Bogyoke Market (known as Scott Market).

The three jokers with Wai Wai and Pyae Pyae

There they go again, wearing Burmese Traditional attire.
Hey, it looks good on them isn't it? 

Their first time taking public bus in Myanmar. It was quite a scene though.
Haha.

On the way to Scott Market.

Scott Market (or Bogyoke Market, named after Bogyoke Aung San, independence father of Myanmar)

Necklaces made of jades at Scott Markets

I was rather disappointed with the trip to the market as almost all the stores in the market carries expensive stuff like jades, jewelry or sculptures. Not quite what we were looking for. But at least, we have been there. AND WE CHANCED UPON A VERY FAMILIAR SINGAPOREAN BRAND.

YAKUN KAYA TOAST!

What else can I say? AWESOME FEELING! IT'S OPENED JUST WEEKS AGO.

Choo Choo train! City train circulating Yangon.

And Yangon Zoo, here we come! It was quite a sad sight to visit the zoo as the place is very poorly maintained, the animals are being neglected and underfed. Their condition is really, beyond horrifying. Heard from my uncle that the animals will be moved to Hlaw Ka zoo as the old zoo is going to be torn down for development. Hopefully the animals will be better taken care of there. *pray*

When the sun was about to set, we continued our journey to Kandawgyi Karaweik. We intended to have our dinner there but as we reached the place, we were informed that it costs 20000kyats per person. Nah, not worth it. So we decided to have our dinner at nearby restaurant.

View of the famed landmark of Yangon at night, simply beautiful, isn't it? :)

Oh yea, you can see the Shwe Dagon Pagoda from Kandawgyi Lake. The view is breathtaking. You should be there to see this scenery as the looking at the picture alone is not enough.

And this is Shwedagon at night. Magnificent, simply marvelous. Buddham Saranam Gacchermi. 

And we moved to next destination, Shwedagon. As we were about to reach the top, we were approached by the security personnel collecting 5USD for entrance. Luckily my reaction was fast enough and the three jokers managed to gain entry into the pagoda without having to pay entrance fee. 

And KX had stomachache, so U Aung brought him to nearest toilet. And it rained! :((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

While waiting for the rain to stop, we sat at the staircases of South Entrance. We decided to brave the rain and walk one round around the pagoda. And we were approached by the security personnel again. This time, we wasn't as lucky as the first time. This guy was smart, he instead went to the three jokers and asked them questions. 

Well, to cut it short, they were exposed. And we decided to just head back home since it was getting real late and not worth paying 5 USD to walk around the pagoda in the rain even though they would not mind paying the entrance. 

Eastern Entrance to the Pagoda

We came down by the Southern Entrance.

Look at our wet bodies, literally! 

Impromptu much, but they had a photo shoot with my family. :) Grandma and U Aung were not in the pic. :(

Part four to be continued.