Reflections of Myanmar (Episode 1: Yangon)

As I am about to embark on my first trip of 2018, I thought I would reminisce about my first trip of 2017, to the last south east Asian country to open up to the world… Myanmar. And first up, a quick trip to the former capital – Yangon!

I don’t talk much about my trip to Myanmar, and you all will find out why later. Let’s just say, for now, that I still carry scars from this trip.  Don’t worry, obviously I am still alive and functioning and writing to you today.  The story will come soon.

1. Morning at Shwedagon Pagoda

I started out in Yangon, where I spent the morning roaming around Shwedagon Pagoda, or the Golden Pagoda (for obvious reasons).  Everyone who goes to Yangon simply has to go there.  It’s the primary monument in the city.  There are surprisingly few tourists there, but booming with locals.  Locals enter free, tourists pay.  I think I paid about 9,000Ks (or about $6-8).  I understand they raised their rates again recently to 10,000Ks for tourists.  And it honestly would not surprise me if it is raised again in the near future.  Oh, and because this is a place of worship, you’re asked to remove your shoes before entering.

And here it is, the Golden Stupa itself:

You can actually see the sparkles a little better in this video I took.  Look at the top.

I mean, there’s a lot here for guys and gals who like gold and sparkles.

After roaming around the complex in the heat, I was happy to see a vendor selling whole coconuts outside.  I sat and drank the coconut water as I people watched.

2. Lunch at 999 Shan Noodle Shop

After the refreshing coconut water, and putting my shoes back on, I made my way back to the entrance to look for one of those taxis.  I took out my phone and showed the driver on google maps where I wanted to go. I was headed to 999 Shan Noodle Shop for a bowl of noodle soup.  The driver did give me some grief and of course, over charged me by quoting a fixed price, instead of a meter.  Sometimes, no matter what they tell you in guidebooks about being persistent about meter fare vs fixed price, there’s nothing you can do but continue to argue with the driver and end up still paying the fixed price.  Of course, I did not, and have not, walked off in a huff.  So whatever.  I roll my eyes, and it’s the cost of being a tourist.

I chose this noodle shop because it was open early, had good reviews, and honestly there’s nothing more I love than a good bowl of noodles.  It was one of those places where, the longer you sat down, the more tourists walk in.  Apparently they all read the same reviews I did.

3. Burmese Foot Spa & “Hidden Gem Yangon”

After lunch I went roaming around in the neighborhood down in the direction of two things: traditional Burmese foot spa and the result of my googling “Hidden Gem Yangon.”

First, the Sapel Traditional Burmese Foot Spa was amazing, and I had a great foot massage there.  So relaxing and a welcome break from the heat outside!!  {I literally could not tell you how much it was or how long it was for, since it happened almost a year ago, but it was a nice break in my day.  I also could not tell you why, if you look at their trip advisor page, there are pictures of the tribal women with rings on their necks.  They do NOT have these women in the spa just sitting there weaving…}

And Hidden Gem Yangon… tada!  This banana shop.

Yes.  Literally walked by, tried not to stare, and took a singular photo of this amazing banana shop.  It’s hard to do that, by the way.  Walk and try not to stare, while obviously staring.

4. Woops! Snack on my way to a Food Tour

Anyway, I had to make my way back towards the Sule Pagoda for my food tour.  On my way there, it’s true, I stopped for a snack.

And yes.  It is stored within that wine barrel.  Eating here, was not a tourist trap (notice plastic chairs) and if memory serves me, cost a cool 1,500 Ks ($1).

Now, back towards the main town square and my food tour waiting for me.

Interested in my Foodie Guide to Yangon? Click here!

5. Yangon Street Food Tour

So, in the end, I didn’t take many pictures on my food tour.  My tour guide was very nice, and explained that Myanmar food had a lot of chickpeas, cilantro, and spices.  A lot of the street food we tried were fried snacks.  Although it was good, they make ugly pictures.  But here is a lovely stall owner and some of the fried snacks she was selling.

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We also stopped by a different Shan noodle place.  The noodles were pretty good, but I think by that point, I was too full.  And then on top of that, we stopped for dessert.  At this point, I am regretting my sweet tofu dessert from five seconds ago.  But I put on my determined face, and finished the food tour with this lovely dessert drink.

Conclusion

So, following my street food tour, which included several bags of leftovers for the road, I took another poorly negotiated taxi back to my hotel.  I didn’t mention this earlier, but I booked a hotel just for the day – a pretty nice room (with shared facilities) at Wai Wai’s Place, for $26.  When I arrived in Yangon that morning at 9:20 am, I had less than 12 hours before I had to catch a bus to Bagan around 8 pm.  I basically went from the airport and dropped off my bags in my room, had a juice at their rooftop lounge, and then set off for Shwedagon Pagoda.  Why was it so crucial to get that $26 room?  For the shower, after roaming around all day in the heat, before boarding a 10 hour bus to Bagan.  Worth it?  Absolutely.

So thanks for reading all the way until the end.  And if you realized there was nothing particularly unspeakable about my Yangon post, tune in, next time, for the conclusion to “what happened to Lannie in Myanmar that makes her not like to talk about her trip.”

Half Day Recap:

• 10 AM: Delighting at golden stupas at Shwedagon Pagoda | map
• 12 PM: Touristy shan noodles at 999 Shan Noodles | map
• << explore downtown and passing through Chinatown >>
• 1 PM: Relaxing Burmese Foot Massage at Sapel | map
• << meander back to downtown, stop at banana store, Sule Pagoda >>
• 4 PM: Street Snacks Food tour with Yangon Food Tours

Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

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