My Ten Days Trip in Myanmar / Burma ​ ​

My First Solo Travel

Will you go for a trip or travel in a place where you don’t know anything? Will you take a risk to be on your own without someone guiding or helping you decide on things like hotel to stay, restaurant to eat, and time to have the tour? Well, to tell you honestly, I did. It’s an impulsive behavior. For that, I had an amazing story to share. Let me tell you why I went to Burma or Myanmar on my own. Then, let me share to you what I’ve seen and learnt during this travel and even some tips on how to make your trip better than mine.

Impulsiveness.

When my friends said they will be going to Thailand and Singapore on the school break, I said to myself "I want to go somewhere I haven't been to even I'm alone." (impulsive and risk taker right?!). I tried to convince two of my closest friends because deep inside me, I’m still not confident to travel by myself. However, they refused to join me because they have planned their own vacation. So, this is real, solo travelling is so real (haha). After few weeks of searching where to go, I came across of Burma or Myanmar. Checking the country, I felt so excited to see the country’s beautiful places based on what I watched on YouTube and read from different blogs. I booked my ticket impulsively. However, I have a doubt to myself if I can travel alone since I’m not really sociable. But I have no choice, I need to travel on my own. I booked my hotel a week before the holiday starts. Surprisingly, the hotels are much cheaper because June is rainy season (June to October). The numbers of tourists are lesser than expected. So hotels and even flights are cheaper. Well, it gave me more savings (hehe).

Budget

I know most of you wants to know how much is my budget for this vacation. I won't deny that traveling solo has negative effects in booking hotels or hiring a taxi from airport/bus station to the main city. But I think, it won't affect you that much. Well, I stayed in a dorm instead of a room, so that saves me money which I used to pay the taxis to and fro. I spent approximately USD 300 - 350 ( got a souvenir for myself only hehe). There where times that I also walk in Yangon aside from an instant exercise, you will see more local practices, food and sceneries. Budget will vary from person to person (depends on your lifestyle). If you want to eat in fancy restaurants or hotels, then you need more budget.

P.S. Airfare Budget is not included (find sale tickets on line). June until October is rainy season, so the airfare tickets and hotels are cheaper than November to March.

Is it a safe Country?

I would definitely say YES, it is safe. Well, I stayed in my hotel after 9:00 p.m. Although, I walked one night in Yangon after watching a movie (6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m) in Junction City Mall using WAZE (an amazing app for giving you direction). Well, I won't recommend you what I did. If your travelling alone, in pair or groups I would suggest to hire a taxi. It won't cost you much and you're safe. Bagan, Mandalay and Inle lake are even safer (according to my experience).

Ten Days Itinerary:

June 12 : KL- Yangon – to Bus Station

: (night bus to Bagan approx, 8-9 hrs. journey)

Bus departure: 7:00 pm / Arrival 4:00 am ( entrance fee of 25,000 kyat)

June 13 BAGAN - Arrived Nyaung U, Bagan - Proceed to Ostello Bello Bagan - Ananda Temple - Thatbyinnyu Temple - Bupaya Pagoda - hwegugyi Temple - Dhammayangyi Temple - Gadawtpalin Pagoda - Mahabodhi Temple - Shwesandaw Pagoda. We went to North Guni Temple for Sunset.

June 14 BAGAN -New Bagan and Central Plain - Minnanthu Village Area - Mani Sithu Market at Nyaung U - Sulamani Temple - Dhamma Ya Zi Ka Pagoda. Sunset Hill.

June 15 BAGAN / MANDALAY - Took morning bus from Nyaung U, Bagan - Mandalay (approx. 5-6hrs journey) - Proceed to Ostello Bello Mandalay - Explore Mandalay downtown in the evening by foot. Bus departure time: 8.00a.m. / Arrival time: 11.00 a.m.

June 16 MANDALAY - Mahamuni Temple - Amarapura, Inwa (Ava) - Sagaing - U Bein Bridge * I hired a driver (motorbike only) and explore Mandalay downtown, Inwa (Ava) and Sagaing which cost me about 15,ooo Kyats which is way cheaper than hiring a taxi! Riding motorbike in Mandalay town a bit crazier that riding it in Indonesia.

June 17 MANDALAY - Explore Mandalay downtown (10,000 Kyatz) Shwenandaw Kyaung - SandamuniPaya - KuthodawPaya - Atumashi Kyaung - Kyauktawgyi Paya- Mandalay Hill - Mandalay Palace Overnight bus from Mandalay to Inle Lake/ Nyaung Shwe town (approx. 8 hrs) Bus departure time: 7.00p.m. / Arrival time: 4.00 a.m. (inle lake entrance fee $10 or 12,000 Kyat)

June 18 NYAUNG SHWE (INLE LAKE) - Arrived Nyaung Shwe Town - Proceed to Ostello Bello Nyaung Shwe (they got a sleeping quarter for free) , Nyaung Shwe - Nga Hpe Chaung/Jumping Cat Monastery- Ngapal Kyaung -Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda - Yawma (Long Neck Lady) - Nan Pan - Cigar Factory - Inn PawKoung Village - lotus & silk weaving.

June 19 NYAUNG SHWE (INLE LAKE) - Visit Mingalar Market & Explore Nyaung Shwe town using a bicycle (2000 Kyatz only).

June 20 NYAUNG SHWE - YANGON - Take a day bus back to Yangon (approx. 11-12hrs) Bus departure time: 8:30 a.m. / Arrival time: 8.00 p.m.

Proceed to Angga Youth Hotel. ( I don’t recommend it)

June 21 YANGON / RANGOON - Sule Pagoda - China Town - Bogyoke Aung San (Scotts) Market - Botataung Paya - Chaukhtatgyi Paya - Shwedagon Pagoda - Junction City - watch Cinema (The Mummy)

June 22 08:30 Burma – 12:45 –KL 05:10 – Pontianak 05:55

Local Transportation: ◊Local Transportation can be arranged by your hotel. They have contacts for the buses, taxis or even book ticket for you. I will recommend Ostello Bello Bagan, Mandalay and Nyaung Shwe for your hotel. Other Services: Exchange when I came was $1 = 1348 Kyat ◊ Boat rental approx. 7am - 5pm (Inle Lake) – 25,000 Kyat/boat ◊ e-Bike rental (Bagan) – 4,000 Kyat/day ◊ MotorBike Driver (Mandalay) – 10,000 Kyat/day ◊ Bike rental (Inle Lake) – 2,000 Kyat/day

◊ Taxi - Aiport to Bus station - 7,500 Kyat

◊ Bus - Bagan to Mandalay - 8,000 Kyat -Morning trip (free pick up from your hotel)

◊ Bus - Mandalay to Inle Lake - 14,500 Kyat -Night trip (free pick up from your hotel)

◊ Bus - Inle Lake to Yangon - 16,000 Kyat - Day trip (free pick up from your hotel)

Entrance Ticket Fees: ◊Inle Zone (Inle Lake) - 10USD/pax ◊Mandalay Archaeological Zone – Free (I didn’t enter the palace :P )

◊Bagan Archaeological Zone – 25,000 Kyat/pax ◊Mandalay Hill (Mandalay) - Free ◊Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon) -8000 Kyat/pax ◊Sagaing Hill – Free ◊Inwa (Ava) – Free (Didn’t follow the route for tourist. Hehe)

Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is one of the four big cities of Myanmar that are frequently visited. It's a home of thousands of temples, pagodas, stupas and monasteries. Travelling here is better with an e-bike. It will take you to different pagodas, temples and monasteries (so study how to ride a motorbike before coming here). And I would recommend Ostello Bello Bagan. They have friendly and amazing staff. They have this program where they create tours going around the famous places for 7-8 hours for free and will bring you to the best spot for sunset viewing. You only need to rent an e-bike for 4,000 Kyat and tip for the guide. These are just some of the amazing photos I've got.

P.S. If you like partying at night, this is not the place you want to spend nights with.

Mandalay

Well, I arrived in the city three (3) hours than I expected. However, I was so lucky that the hotel, Ostello Bello Mandalay allowed me to check in at 11:00 a.m. Isn't that amazing???!! I was able to rest and find my tour guide for the next two days. Actually, there are many taxis outside the hotel and they're willing to help you go and see the three distinctive beautiful cities (Amapura, Sagaing and Inwe) besides Mandalay. I paid my driver 25,000 Kyat for 1 1/2 days. If you're not good at bargaining prices, just ask for the help of the hotel's staff. They're willing to help you and even suggest you best places to see. Look at these amazing photos I've got from the different cities.

First DAY!

Second Day : visiting around Mandalay area. Check my photos

Inle Lake

I arrived in Inle lake at 3:00 a.m. Don't worry, taxis are available too. I paid 5,000 Kyat for the taxi. I registered for the hotel and the tour for that day. Don't worry about your things, they have a luggage room (just make sure to get your valuables) to keep your things while waiting for the check in time.. The receptionist offered me a bed to rest (free of charge - isn't that amazing.) However, you will sleep with other guests in separate beds (backpacker style.) Amazing hostel isn't it??!!.

Inle lake is like Tagaytay of the Philippines or Bandung of Indonesia in terms of the cool like weather. A lake located in the middle of mountains. The preserved culture and ways of life of Inle Lake people make the place more interesting to visit. Check some of my photos.

Yangon

Yangon is the capital city of Burma or Myanmar. I took a day trip from Inle Lake to he city. It was a 12-hour trip. I know what you're thinking, yes it's so exhausting. But it will allow you to see more about Myanmar on the way. When I arrived in the bus station, I hired a taxi to my hotel for 10,000 Kyat. However, I'm a bit disappointed with my hotel. It's really different from the three hostel, so I'm not recommending it. Anyway, based on my experience - ONE WHOLE day is enough to visit the different temples or sights in Yangon. However, I didn't enjoy much Yangon as much as I want. So, I wish to be backed here and see it the way other travellers seen it.

What I have learnt in this Travel

1. I learnt to be more independent in travelling. I still miss the companion of others but I learnt to decide on my own (tagal ko lng mag decide). hehe

2. I met more people from different parts of the globe. I’m so jealous that they can go around the world. However, I realized that I’m also lucky because I'm able to travel sometimes (many can’t).

3. I learnt that there are more stories, cultures, great people and amazing places to see and each country is unique. And I love the fact that every country has something to offer to the travelers.

4. I learnt how people have adapted to their environment in order to survive. I learnt how they make silver, cotton or silk scarfs and how to find good precious stone in a big rick.

5. My bargaining skills level up. When you want to buy something and it’s a bit expensive, just say your price and meet in the middle. Hahaha. (Kuripot lang.)

Some Travel tips:

1. Bring US dollars that are crispy and clean. They will not change your money if it’s folded or there’s a little dirt on it. It must be 2009 and above. (Malutong, Malinis at walang tupi).

2. Convertion: $1 = 1,350 Kyatz. It changes from time to time of course. You can some in the airport but it’s better to change your money in the bank. Exchange rate is much much higher and to avoid fake money. Any individual found to be carrying fake currency will face up to seven years (or even more) in jail as well as a fine.

3. a.You must know how to drive motorcycle especially in Bagan because you can rent an e-bike as low as 4000 kyatz. But don’t worry, if you don’t know how because there are some tour guides who will drive and help you visit the famous temples and tell you the history of each temple. But using e-bike is much cheaper.

b. Mandalay & Inle Lake- They have taxis (car and motorbike)

1. Eating places, it’s best to eat in local restaurants. They will serve you with lots of food and it’s cheaper of course. Anyway, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle lake doesn’t have fast food Chain like McDo or Starbucks etc. They have KFC in the Airport and malls in Yangon only.

2. Travelling at night is better than day time. It will save you a night in a hotel. (hehe)

P.S. I will be posting my travel video soon.