Thursday, July 02, 2015

Yangon, Myanmar | Day 1

If you didn't know, Myanmar (Burma) previously under travel visa ban and Aung San Suu Kyi repeatedly asked tourists not to visit Burma.

"I still think that people should not come to Burma because the bulk of the money from tourism goes straight into the pockets of the generals. And not only that, it's a form of moral support for them because it makes the military authorities think that the international community is not opposed to the human rights violations which they are committing all the time. They seem to look on the influx of tourists as proof that their actions are accepted by the world." (Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, January1999)




Back in Year 2012, when I search for information on Myanmar in Trip Advisor, not much choice of accomodation and information about them. I gave up & choose Cambodia over them.



The ban only been lifted in Year 2013 and their tourism industry start to flourish.


A chance to visit another Southeast Asia country, so lets go!



Upon reaching the Yangon International Airport, we have our Myanmar E-Visa which we did online, hence no queue for arrival visa and can make your way through the immigration. E-visa and the Arrival visa for Myanmar 30 days is USD50. Quite expensive for Asia!


A taxi is from International Airport to Downtown Yangon cost Kyatt8000 (Almost equivalent to USD8) per car.


Massive jam for almost 2 hours to Downtown around noon. So anyone of you plan to go/from airport/downtown, do allow about 2 hours drive. They said, normally 40 minutes will do, but not for us.



Met our with our friends staying with 30th Corner Boutique Hostel. A friendly hostel which allows us to leave our backpacks and go roam freely the Downtown Yangon! The rooms is small but clean. They do provide breakfast and free wifi, complimentary mineral water too! Room price is reasonable, about USD20 per pax if you are choosing double room. They also allow us to shower before going off to Aung Minglar Bus Station late evening!



Downtown Yangon

Opposite view from 30th Corner Boutique Hostel



Street Food




Bogyoke Aung San Market





Sule Pagoda from afar







Tea Leaf Salad at 999 Shan Noodle House



Sticky Shan Noodle at 999 Shan Noodle House


After our lunch, we took a cab, Kyatt7000 from downtown to Shwedagon Pagoda. 


To be continued..


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