#Myanmar Costing

Ramadhan is coming and most of us will be on personal travel freeze during this holy month.

I have to be honest, I have yet to complete my stories of this lovely country which awed me and left me craving for more, and I hope to finish it during thus Ramadhan month, InsyaAllah.

Hope the below helps.

My other Myanmar entries :
Visa : Myanmar Visa Application
The Beginning : #Myanmar. How I Remembered It! ( #Myanmargang ) 
Gadget : #Myanmar | In Black & White - #Olympus E-PL3
Gadget : #Myanmar | In Dramatic Tone - #Olympus E-PL3
Day 1 : Yangoon to Bagan Train Ride
Day 2 : Temples in #Bagan Myanmar (Part 1)
Day 2 : Irrawaddy Boat Cruise, #Myanmar (Part 2)
Day 2 : Majestic #Bagan At Sunset - #Myanmar (Part 3)
Day 3 :  Inle Town at Sunset, #Myanmar

Travel Fashion | 3 Weeks 1 Carry-On Suitcase (#Travellight)

This entry is dedicated to Sarah Stinson a runaway-model-soontobe.

I have blogged about fashion prior to this and I thought I should share another useful tips I got from Adventure Chic on how to mix and match your wardrobe when traveling, it also helps you to pack light and yet still look fashionable, like a true TRAVELNISTA!

Travel Tips/Fashion | 1 Shirt, 8 Ways (#Travellight) 
Travel Fashion | 12 Ways To Tie A Scarf
Travel Fashion | Jubah/Abaya from Singapore Trip

Now that you know how to pack, let's do the catwalk baby!

Day 2 | Majestic #Bagan At Sunset - #Myanmar (Part 3)

Sigh.... Bad news. I accidentally deleted my Bagan pics on my iPad Mini where I store most of my Bagan and Chasing Monk photos. I was on a massive depress mode last week (which resulted to me not blogging for whole week).

Thus, you will see pictures of different colours/mode/mood as I extract it from few devices.

Anyway, here are some of the pictures I managed to capture, not that great unfortunately. Double 'sigh....'. Well, let's look at the glass half full shall we... This probably mean I just have to REVISIT Myanmar!!! Muahhahahah..... (Any excuse to travel *wink*). And my NEXT visit will conver the 7 items which I fail to execute and materialise in this trip. It'll be EPIC TRIP, any takers???

It's crucial that you know, I am terrified of height, like really.... REALLY!

This VERTIGO (or is it acrophobia) thingy doesn't help. NOOOOOO!!!!

BUT..... Once you up there (even not the highest point), it is superbly breathtaking! ......... (speechless).

Just sitting down, absorbing good's greatest gift....

SUNSET!!!

Apparently sunrise is even better. We shall see... (next trip *wink*)

The view from the otherside.

A definite repeat, and next time will be at sunrise.

Steep??? Yup! Still confuse over this VERTIGO / acrophobia thing.

#TravelTips :

1. Bring tripod for best photos

2. Carrying tripod up the steep staircase can be a challenge

3. Coming down with the tripod is even worst

4. STEEP. VIRTIGO. ACROPHOBIA.

5. Sunrise comes with awesome hot air balloon scenery against the angelic temple

6. PEOPLE. PEOPLE. PEOPLE.... Yup! That many!

7. Company helps, else it can be a bit of a bore waiting for the sun to rise/set

Sila merangkak turun yea.

View from 4th / 5th floor looking up.

From Wikipedia :

Bagan (Formerly Pagan) is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Burma (Myanmar). From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.

Day 2 | Irrawaddy Boat Cruise, #Myanmar (Part 2)

Our temples sightseeing trip brought us to here - Irrawaddy River or Ayeyarwady River.

I remembered clearly that it was in Fie's itinerary, noted to myself that this is a must do. I mean, it's a boat ride after all!! You know me right (well, some of you at least), I absolutely must try all mode of transportation at every country I visit, well... unless it's expensive ofcos. Afterall, I did do the 16 hours train ride and the 10 hours bus ride (will blog about this too), hence it's a must for me to do the 1hour boat ride, right?

My other Myanmar entries :
Visa : Myanmar Visa Application
The Beginning : #Myanmar. How I Remembered It! ( #Myanmargang ) 
Gadget : #Myanmar | In Black & White - #Olympus E-PL3
Gadget : #Myanmar | In Dramatic Tone - #Olympus E-PL3
Day 1 : Yangoon to Bagan Train Ride
Day 2 : Temples in #Bagan Myanmar (Part 1)

We did stop by Bhupaya Temple located next to the river, this temple have one of the best view of Irrawaddy River and it's docking boats. It is said that during high tide, the river will rise closer to the temple wall which gives it a more awesome view from the river vice versa.

View from Bhupaya Temple. Awesome.

Delicious looking snack, I am still wondering to why did I not buy this and try this. Hemm...

Few interesting facts
(not sure whether there's another work-around it or not)

• Boats are chartered per group, meaning if there's 2 of you, then the whole boat is your's. If there's one of you, well... you'll be the king with no minion. Hahhahhaaa....
• You can either charter for 1 hour or 1.5 hours, your call
• It's really clean, like really!
• Speed? Not fast thus no sea-sick :)

Tips :

• Get ready all camera!!
• Make sure memory is sufficient, both the camera and the owner. Hahhahah....
• SUNBLOCK!!!

Pilih boat cepat!

Off we set to sail towards the horizon.... Yeah! Like real :)

Imagine if the river water rises, the temple would definitely look beautiful.... no doubt. 

What I was hoping and dying to see were the locals going thru their daily routine by the river, where I can capture these moments and share with you all. And guess what?? I managed too... (proud moment, even though it is not that great).

Water pump? 

Common sight here on Irrawaddy; locals bathing, kids swimming, woman washing, youngster playing and elderly gazing, a perfect sight for a perfect experience. Couldn't ask for more.

I did ask what was the hut for, and honestly I have forgotten! Hahahahhah...... Silly me! (Was still thinking hard when typing this but doubt I will have any recollection whatsoever)

I know I asked whether is it for tourist to change and chill or something, apparently, it is not :). So, I guess it is for locals, nomad perhaps?

The boat move further away from the shore... giving us the opportunity to enjoy the river itself. 

Note :

• As you can see, the river is fairly clean which I find it amazing.
• Everything is in order, from the docking bay to the hut
• My boat operator don't speak English, so make sure to get a good taxi driver that can :)

Calming. Period. 

Me trying to do a Jason Mraz shot (konon). 

Me. All covered up to avoid getting sunburn and dark.

From Wikipedia :

The Irrawaddy River or Ayeyarwady River is a river that flows from north to south through Burma (Myanmar). It is the country's largest river and most important commercial waterway. Originating from the confluence of the N'mai and Mali rivers, it flows relatively straight North-South before emptying through the Irrawaddy Delta into the Andaman Sea. Its drainage area of about 255,081 km² covers a large part of Burma. After Rudyard Kipling's poem, it is sometimes referred to as 'The Road to Mandalay'.

As early as the sixth century the river was used for trade and transport. Having developed an extensive network of irrigation canals, the river became important to the British Empire after it had colonized Burma. The river is still as vital today, as a considerable amount of (export) goods and traffic moves by river. Rice is produced in the Irrawaddy Delta, irrigated by water from the river.

In 2007, Burma's military government signed an agreement for the construction of seven dams, yielding a total 13,360 kW, in the N'mai and Mali Rivers, including the 3,600 kW Myitsone Dam at the confluence of both rivers. Environmental organisations have raised concerns about the ecological impacts on the river's biodiverse ecosystems. Animals potentially impacted include the threatened Irrawaddy dolphin.

Day 2 | Temples in #Bagan Myanmar (Part 1)

Every country or city have a story to tell, mine will be 'being slapped on the face in Bagan'.

I first fell in love with Bagan a long while ago but Javier's recent photos simply took my breath away. So when Fie asked whether I would want to join her for a trip to Myanmar, I went ............ YES!!!! Like a crazy, excited, blank YES!!!!!

Imagine the excitement when we set foot in Bagan, 'macam beruk dapat torchlight / like a monkey receiving a torchlight' my aunt would say; so excited that the monkey would use and shine it everywhere even in broad day light. Hahhahahaha.... And for me, I want to capture every single moment with my new white baby (#Olympus Pen-Lite3).

From Wikipedia :
Bagan (formerly Pagan) is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Burma (Myanmar). From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.

While thinking of how to write this entry, I was torn on how informative I should be to myself and the readers or should I write about what saw and experienced. Yes, I decided on the latter *smile*. Having said that, I will hyperlink the places to make it easy for all, fair huh... *wink*.

Munuha Guphaya Temple
Well, this was the first temple we visited. I honestly have no expectation of the temples in Myanmar, but temple being temple I decided to take a look at the active surrounding instead. Feeling the Bagan aura and culture I told myself (yeah yeah... pretty lame I know! Hahahhaa...).

You can get alot of lacquer ware products as souvenir here (more pics in my FB page). It is similar to those in Cambodia and Vietnam, however the design or motif is slightly different.

I wasn't that impress at this temple, it is pretty small but I do recommend for everyone to visit here, as the surrounding is a great place for photography as shown below.

The resolution drops as I resize all my pic, but trust me, the surrounding is pretty impressive especially if this is the first temple :)

Gubyauk Gyi (Myinkaba) Temple
OK, this temple is impressive with a quiet surrounding. 2 reasons why I fancy this particular temple is because of the brick - orangy in colour, and the setting against clear blue sky that makes it superb for pics. Oh yah! Somehow, it was cloudless sky in Myanmar (during my trip at least); clear.blue.sky. PERFECT!

You get more ornaments and artsy (painting) stuff here, hardly see it again elsewhere. So, if you like a particular painting; grab one here.

We spent a good while here.

Have you been slap on the face at a foreign land? Well, I did.

Notice the signage on top, it's the same for every temple and one should respect.

I did take off my shoe (Yeah! My new Bershka) and what I intended was to hold it everywhere I go. Sure, I did ask the locals whether is it safe to leave shoes in public like that (worried that it'll go missing), and as suspected; they say it won't. Like real I am going to believe that (kat masjid pun cite orang hilang kasut kan).

So, I took off my shoes and hold it as I walk. After a few steps, the driver approached me and ask why did I not leave my shoe there, I simply smile and said it's ok (Lame, I know!). Guess what he said?
"We are Buddhist, we believe in Karma. Your shoes would not be stolen" He said with a smile.
Stunned..... I walked back and left my shoe there. And it was not stolen. 

Padan muka!!! Kan dah maluuuu....

I somehow like the window alot.

One of the reason why I like this temple. The only one that we took pictures with the local kids. Fantastic!

This is the place where I decided to waste my money unnecessarily (slapforehead). As usual, my kiasuness took the best of me. Le sigh......

Again I was lazy to take off my shoe (the rest was wearing a flipflop) and since I prefer to take outer building pictures, I took a stroll at the compound. At this point I have already purchase 10 postcards at earlier temple knowing I need to grab 10 more somewhere.

Suddenly, I heard Anna yelling my name asking me to take a look at the postcards. I ran over and immediately fell in love with them, Jard and myself was having difficulties in deciding which set to buy. Since I like it all, I bought 2 sets and discarded the old one (still in backpack actually). Crazy right?!?!?!? Anyone wants 1 set of 10 postcards from Myanmar (brand new)?

Jard and her nego skill.

Pretty heh!

Awesome view.

Still wondering why the picture looks glaring. Ah...well....

I forgot what temple is this, hahahahhahhah..... and forgot to take the temple name outside too. Duh LILY!!!!!

We did a 5 minutes stop here.... nothing silly happen. Phew... Pfftt...

Tips
Here is what we did, we chartered a taxi (van is more like it) to take us to 7 places and the last temple is the iconic Shwe Laik Tu to catch the sunset.

• Its better if you go in even number group as you can split the cost on local transportation and accommodation (if you are on budget)
• Hotel and train or bus ride should be pre-book if you plan to travel during peak season OR on time constraint trip
• Book/charter the whole taxi/van for a day as it gives you more time to cover more places (don't stinge on this)
• Don't hire the horse cart as it don't have the speed to take you to many places and poor horsy!
• Bring candies for the kids

PS : More pictures in my Facebook Page, feel free to view.

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