Having recently opened their boarders to tourists, I was extremely excited to travel to Myanmar. I was looking forward to getting my hands and feet a bit more dirty, especially just having visited cosmopolitan Thailand. However, with the country still at the beginning stages of its tourism, a bit more pre-planning was necessary. Here are […]
Myanmar
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, was also the former capital of the country. Although the capital has been moved to Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon is a bustling commercial center for Myanmar. Just recently, KFC, the first fast food chain made it’s way into the city. You can also see and feel how the city is […]
Kyaiktiyo and Kinpun
Considered the most religious destination for locals, the Golden Rock is a popular place. When you arrive, the bus will often drop you off in the town called Kyaiktiyo about 30 minutes away from the ‘base camp’. I was dropped off right on the side of the highway! From there, you can choose if you […]
Mawlamyine
When you go to Myanmar, you’ll no doubt come across at least one literature by George Orwell. The English author worked and lived in Myanmar for numerous years. He set several of his novels in Burma, and takes readers deeper into the Burmese culture of the time. Mawlamyine, formerly called Moulmein is a seaside town cloaked […]
Hpa An
Hpa-An, pronounced with a silent “h” offers a laid-back, backpacker vibe. Taking the bus into the town, you’re welcomed by a stunning array of mountains. Unfortunately, the country has started mining some of these mountains, as well as deforesting the surrounding areas. This town is jam packed with activities. The most popular attractions are the […]
Kanthaya and Gwa
Not a lot of people make it to the coast or beaches of Myanmar, and if they do, they tended to go to Ngapali. Ngapali beach is built up as a resort beach town. It’s comfortable and you can find most of the convenient amenities here. It’s luxurious, which mean you’ll be paying top dollar […]
Bagan
Bagan, the postcard city of Myanmar. Located between the northern city of Mandalay and the capital of Yangon, there are many options of getting to Bagan. Getting in Buses are often the cheapest and fastest way. Trains can be a fun change in scenery, but be warned they often take a long time and are […]
Inle Lake
Everyone says Inle Lake is a must-see, shouldn’t be missed destination in Myanmar, but what they don’t tell you is how the area is completely commercialized and built for tourists. I hiked to Inle Lake from Kalaw, you can read the post here. When I first got there by boat, the lake felt grand and […]
Kalaw and Hiking to Inle Lake
Since all the guide books seem to include Inle Lake on the must-do list for Myanmar travellers, I decided to check it out for myself. Rather than just visiting the lake, I opted to hike there from a nearby city called Kalaw (which again was recommended by all the guide books). Kalaw is a four […]