AboutNancy B Expertise One of my all-time favorites. I`ve been there more than 10 times (for at least a month each time), done the tourist loop five times and travelled to several permit-only areas. Aside from the Yangon, Bago, Inle, Kalaw, Mandalay, Pagan, Pyay route, I`ve travelled twice to Sittwe, Mrauk-U and the Chin areas and then down to Ramree Island, Ngapali and Pathein. Been on the wonderful boat from Bhamo to Mandalay and sojourned in the south a bit past Moulmein. Most recently I trekked in the northern Kachin state, camped and stayed with the Rawang tribe, for 2 weeks on the way to Phonekan Razi to see the Himalayas from the east. I`ve taken nearly every mode of transport--trains, planes, buses, boats, bikes, oxcarts, trekking on foot. I can answer logistical questions about airfare, hotels, restaurants, trekking, trains, restricted/open areas and, especially, cultural/religious sites and their significance.
Experience The world is a fascinating place and nothing reveals this more thoroughly than exploring faraway lands. I've got a penchant for the exotic, a friendly face and a true curiousity about the people, art and life.
I am planning a 10 day stay in mid august of 2008. What hotels do you recommend in the Rangoon area. My first trip to S.E. Asia so am unfamiliar with the basics. i.e. drink only bottled water etc. Any information regarding hotels and basic sights in Rangoon would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Answer Hi, Bill. Well, there are whole books written on this. I really need a bit more specific information from you. If you just want overall information, the Lonely Planet guidebook would probably be your best bet. For hotels, I need to know your approx. budget (high, mid, low). For basic sights, what you like makes a difference.
Without knowing anything . . .
1) Hotels: Pansea or Strand at the high end, Kandawgyi in the middle, Yoma, Asia Plaza or Queen's Palace for about $20 and Beautyland or Myat Shan downtown for backpacker pricing ($10 or less).
2) Basic sights: Sule Pagoda, Shwedagon Pagoda, Chinatown and the Kheng Hock Keong Temple, the south Indian temple on 50th St., the large wholesale market on the water (though gov't was trying to move it), Lashio Lay restaurant for Shan food, Nila Biryani for the best biryani ever, Bogoke Aung Sang market (on the street of the same name), Chaukhtatgyi paya, Nga Htat Gyi Buddha image (one of my favorites), Kabar Aye peace pagoda (skip it), Kandawgyi garden and Karaweik (giant golden bird boat), the National Museum, Bohtahtaung Paya is nothing too amazing but in a fun location near the port, Bogoke Aung San museum (the house of the independence hero, and father of Nobel prize winner Aung San Sui Kyi), National Museum, there are some fascinating folk art-ish temples in Insein area. Up the river to Twante where huge pots are made is a fun day. And Bago is an old royal capital, only 1-1/2 hours away from Yangon, with wonderful sights.
3) Sanitation: If you're new at this, and just in general . . .ONLY drink bottled water (and use to brush your teeth), don't eat any raw vegetables or non-rind fruits, don't eat any street food (esp. in Yangon). Just cooked as opposed to sitting around is always better.
Have fun!
Nancy B
