R&R Day
Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar
March 11, 2009
We stayed an extra day in Rangoon due to the holiday of the full moon yesterday. It was difficult to get money and book a flight, so we opted to stay and take the bus later in the day today.
So, we packed up and left our bags at the front desk. We walked toward downtown and bought a "not sweet" pancake from a vendor. It was very good. It had green onion in it. Bill bought some cucumber slices, the lady did not want any money, but Bill gave her a small amount anyway. Along our walk we saw many bags of rice, street-side tea cafes, fruit - watermelon (orange and red), papaya, and apples, avocados and many other vegetables, street-side buffets and fondues, tv remotes, watches, clocks, electronics (of all eras), fabric, mini marts, cell phones and street-side phone stations….
We stopped at the Internet cafe for a couple of hours to research our trip and catch up on the blog and email. I can not always log into my email, for example, today at the hotel I am unable to...
We took a cab (for 3000 kyat or $3 USD) to Sedona Hotel to get a cash advance of some US money. The hotel is very beautiful, has nice shops, restaurants and a pool.
We took another cab ride to Feel Myanmar Restaurant for lunch again. We sat near a fan with a mister this time, it felt really good. We had another great lunch - curry beef, pork satay, butter curry fish, vegetable spring roll, prawns and soup. The proper way of eating is your fork in your left hand scoops food onto your spoon and you eat off your spoon.
We walked a couple of blocks to Summit Parkview (we originally wanted to stay there, but our guide said it was under renovation). The place looks intact and pretty good. It is $55/night, we may stay there upon our return.
Due to timing, we took a cab downtown and walked back the 20 blocks to our hotel from there. We bought snacks along the way - avocado, crackers, water and peanuts for the bus ride.
We freshened up a bit at the Inn and took a 45 min cab ride to the bus station. We were swarmed by people selling snacks, but we were all set. We immediately tossed our bags under the bus and as we were waiting I realized I forgot to get my sweat shirt, long pants and books. Dang! It is going to be a long 15 hours. Bill tried to retrieve them, but no luck. But, when we got on the bus, we saw our bags at the back and I was able to get my things. YEAH!
I decided to change and put long pants on instead of my sweaty clothes. While I was in the toilet (hole in the ground that you fill will water from a bucket to flush) I dropped my skort on the wet floor while changing, not once, but three times. Needless to say, I was a bit upset! I hope I don't have to burn it now!
The bus departed on time at 5:30. After the first hour Bill and I noted that the non-stop horn honking by the driver was still funny. We sang "Driver on the bus goes: beep, beep, beep..." and "If you're happy and you know it, honk your horn". I think we were already delirious after an hour. I was not sure that we were going to make it out alive! At this point the TV was playing music videos and then two short movies (very loudly and not English). We listened to the iPod for a while to drown it out. I love the CD you made for me Joe! Thanks!
We stopped Elliott style on this bus ride - at 7:00, 12:00 and 4:15 for 1/2 hour for food and pee breaks. At 1:30 we were at a check point and had to get off the bus to show our passports. At 10:50 we stopped for 20 minutes to let a 5 car train go by! Everytime we fell asleep, it was another stop and you were not allowed to stay on the bus.
We arrived in Mandalay 13 3/4 hours later at 7:15 am. It was a long journey, but we were able to sleep on and off fairly comfortably and it saved one hotel fee!
A Couple of things we noted about Yangon
Sort of like Downtown Detroit - you could tell it was really nice but there are huge old decaying buildings here
Tons of old vehicles
The people are great - friendly and curious
USD only (which can be transferred into local currency) - But there cannot be significant creases, any tears or writing on the notes or they are worthless - No ATMs or credit card facilities
Some pretty good food here, both decent restaurants and the street food.
Unreliable electricity - goes out at dusk - just had the power go out at the internet cafe @ 11am
We stayed at the Ocean Pearl - Fairly clean but there was some mold around the windows and Theresa thought she heard a mouse -and you could hear the apartment above.
Overall pretty inexpensive - $40/day really no problem
Was overall surprised by the lack on "working" - not many shops, a couple of generator repair shops and furniture makers.
Does not have the feel of a capital city
People and especially the children are fascinated with white people and want to speak English - many people say, "Hello" to us and smile shyly and giggle when we say, "hello" back.
There are not many western tourists here at all - #1 Thai, China a very distant #2 then the Europeans, Aussies, Canadians
The kids love to see their picture on the digital camera
Very hot and Very dusty