The tranquil face of a gigantic Buddha filled my vision as I enter a large open shed with metal roof. He seemed contented there, reclining on the floor with his crown adorned with diamonds and precious stones glittering for everyone to see. This is Chaukhtatgyi Paya, home of this gigantic Buddha, uncommonly known but is considered one of the most beautiful reclining Buddha in Myanmar.
Tag: Burma
Yangon: Walking Downtown and Crossing through Sule Paya
“Where are you from?” is the usual ice-breaker question people here would ask. “I’m from the Phillippines” I replied with a smile as I bite into my toasted slice of bread with a healthy layer of butter and strawberry jam while having breakfast. Young adults here like to engage in a conversation to practice their English. “Where are you going today?” I told him that I’d be leaving tonight for Bagan but this morning I’ll hit the streets of Downtown Yangon first to do some sightseeing.
Yangon: A Walk to Botataung Paya and Monk’s Robe Weavers Encounter
Maps are my best friend when I’m exploring a new place. Starting from where I am, the Motherland Inn 2, I asked the girl at the reception for the location of the Thian Phyu Money Changer Center on the map and found out it was about 3 blocks south west. Since I don’t have any kyat yet, I just decided to walk. Besides, exploring on-foot is the usual way for me to get to know the city. Botataung Paya is on the way so it might be a good place for a side trip.
Yangon: Motherland Inn 2, A Backpacker’s Home
As always, the first step when coming in to a new country is adapting. And this process can be an ease or a struggle depending on our initial encounters with the locals. And it couldn’t be any easier when the place you’re staying is already used to foreigners like Motherland Inn 2 in Yangon. It’s like a backpacker’s haven in this part of the country since most foreigners go here and there’s a good reason why.
In Transit: From Clark to Yangon via Bangkok
There are no direct flights to Yangon, Myanmar from the Philippines so I had to make a couple of flights to get there. First step was to get Bangkok, the closest possible airport to Yangon. I was lucky to get a cheap flight there through an introductory promo fare from Seair/Tiger Airways from Clark. On the rainy morning of November 2, 2011, I made my way to Megamall which is only 15 minutes from home. The Philtranco Bus (P400) headed to Clark was ready for its 7am departure. It’s been a while since I travelled by my lonesome and that familiar feeling of fear and excitement crept in. I don’t know what to expect of Myanmar except that I would be cut-off from the rest of the world for two weeks.
Myanmar Visa Application for Filipinos and Trip Preparation
(Update December 11, 2013) Philippines and Myanmar recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) allowing VISA-free entry for Filipinos for up to 14 days. Executive order 408 also allows Myanmar nationals to enter the Philippines without VISA for 30 days.
(Updated September 7, 2012) Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been on my eyes for several years now as I’ve heard a lot of good things about the country. The numerous temples as far as the eyes can see on the horizon in Bagan, the tranquil scenes of Inle Lake and the Grandeur of Shwedagon Pagoda has much been written in books. But even as a member of the ASEAN group of countries, Myanmar isn’t as easy to visit like its neighbours due to its political isolation. A visit to Myanmar requires careful planning, some legal requirements and more importantly, some moral decisions. Sharing here some tips on my preparation. But one thing I can certainly say is that Myanmar is changing in a rapid pace and some information I researched beforehand were already outdated even if they were only a year or a few months ago so the info here may also change in a few months.
Mandalay: Rooming at Mandalay View Inn via Roomorama.com
“It’s whole new way to stay” says roomarama.com. It’s a pretty attractive strapline if you ask me. Looking into their site, it caters for different kind of travellers from the smart, adventurous and independent traveller like me. Roomorama.com offered to try out their services and since I have a two week trip in Myanmar, I thought it would be great to try them out there. That led me to this fancy boutique hotel Mandalay View inn.
