Subsequent to the memorable Mensa Heritage trip in 2012 (covering Singapore, Tanjung Piai, Johor Bahru, Kluang, Kota Bharu, Sungai Kolok), I was looking forward to another trip with the same group of travelmates. Hence when the idea for a trip up north to Myanmar came around, I quickly pounced on it. After some pondering, it was finally decided that we would be covering Southern Myanmar - namely Yangon, Moulmein and Hpa'an.
Our pre-trip preparations then involved securing flight tickets to Yangon, getting our visas from the Burmese Embassy, exchanging some ringgit for US Dollars, frequenting Myanmar restaurants in KL to get a feel for their food, and just chilling and bumming till the day of departure.
With some last-minute change of plans, our trip suddenly had an interesting edge to it. Khan Ruey and I were to depart first to Yangon and make our way to Moulmein, then Hpa'an where we would then have to somehow meet up with Ben & Vannessa who departed from KL a couple of days later. Given that our phones would not work in Myanmar and internet access is scarce, the entire scenario had something of a Mission Impossible-feel to it. Unperturbed, we fixed plans to rendezvous at the Hpa'an Clock Tower at 9.00pm (local time) on the 22nd of April.
Come the morning of the 20th of April, Khan Ruey and I made our way in the wee hours of the morning to LCCT. With check-in and pre-flight formalities all complete, I slowly took a little blueberry muffin out of my backpack (which I grabbed moments earlier off a pastry shop at the terminal) and passed it to Khan Ruey, wishing him "Happy Birthday!" I personally figured it was pretty amazing that he was able to forego a day of warm greetings, well-wishes and perhaps even a surprise or two for a trip to a land of relative obscurity.
Slightly over an hour later we were in Yangon International Airport, where we exchanged our first kyats and took a cab to Downtown Yangon. The plan was to secure a night train to Moulmein, and spend the rest of the time looking around Yangon. Our cab dropped us off at the Bogyoke Aung San Market, which we figured made for a good reference point from where we could make our way on foot. Out came the Lonely Planet guidebook, with which we navigated down the street to the Yangon Railway Station.
One of the things that we learnt prior to the trip was that the Burmese only dealt with mint-condition US Dollars. The same applied to the railway station, that didn't have change either. Given that we weren't able to get the smaller denomination USDs in pristine condition before the trip in Malaysia, we had to then walk around downtown Yangon looking for change. Luckily for us we found hotel guest desks that were willing to provide us with mint-condition $5s and $10s. We then proceeded to have lunch at a hotel restaurant, which we figured had reasonable prices on the menu.
Replenished, we then made our way back to the railway station and secured our tickets for the night train. It was barely 1.00pm in the afternoon, as the sun was blazing above us (as it was for pretty much the entire trip..). With time to kill, Khan Ruey and I decided to commence on Lonely Planet's downtown walking tour. What made my experience all the more daunting was the fact that I was lugging a trolley bag all around Yangon's unforgiving pavements. The highlight of the 'tour' (perhaps in large part due to the weather itself) was our short stop at Shwe Bali for some excellent ice-blended yoghurt. Soon came the night, and we were off to Moulmein on what must have been the bumpiest train ride I have ever been on.
Our pre-trip preparations then involved securing flight tickets to Yangon, getting our visas from the Burmese Embassy, exchanging some ringgit for US Dollars, frequenting Myanmar restaurants in KL to get a feel for their food, and just chilling and bumming till the day of departure.
With some last-minute change of plans, our trip suddenly had an interesting edge to it. Khan Ruey and I were to depart first to Yangon and make our way to Moulmein, then Hpa'an where we would then have to somehow meet up with Ben & Vannessa who departed from KL a couple of days later. Given that our phones would not work in Myanmar and internet access is scarce, the entire scenario had something of a Mission Impossible-feel to it. Unperturbed, we fixed plans to rendezvous at the Hpa'an Clock Tower at 9.00pm (local time) on the 22nd of April.
Come the morning of the 20th of April, Khan Ruey and I made our way in the wee hours of the morning to LCCT. With check-in and pre-flight formalities all complete, I slowly took a little blueberry muffin out of my backpack (which I grabbed moments earlier off a pastry shop at the terminal) and passed it to Khan Ruey, wishing him "Happy Birthday!" I personally figured it was pretty amazing that he was able to forego a day of warm greetings, well-wishes and perhaps even a surprise or two for a trip to a land of relative obscurity.
Slightly over an hour later we were in Yangon International Airport, where we exchanged our first kyats and took a cab to Downtown Yangon. The plan was to secure a night train to Moulmein, and spend the rest of the time looking around Yangon. Our cab dropped us off at the Bogyoke Aung San Market, which we figured made for a good reference point from where we could make our way on foot. Out came the Lonely Planet guidebook, with which we navigated down the street to the Yangon Railway Station.
Bogyoke Aung San Market - Our starting point in Yangon
One of the things that we learnt prior to the trip was that the Burmese only dealt with mint-condition US Dollars. The same applied to the railway station, that didn't have change either. Given that we weren't able to get the smaller denomination USDs in pristine condition before the trip in Malaysia, we had to then walk around downtown Yangon looking for change. Luckily for us we found hotel guest desks that were willing to provide us with mint-condition $5s and $10s. We then proceeded to have lunch at a hotel restaurant, which we figured had reasonable prices on the menu.
Gettin' a taste of the local beer (although I must reiterate I'm not a big fan of beers)
Replenished, we then made our way back to the railway station and secured our tickets for the night train. It was barely 1.00pm in the afternoon, as the sun was blazing above us (as it was for pretty much the entire trip..). With time to kill, Khan Ruey and I decided to commence on Lonely Planet's downtown walking tour. What made my experience all the more daunting was the fact that I was lugging a trolley bag all around Yangon's unforgiving pavements. The highlight of the 'tour' (perhaps in large part due to the weather itself) was our short stop at Shwe Bali for some excellent ice-blended yoghurt. Soon came the night, and we were off to Moulmein on what must have been the bumpiest train ride I have ever been on.
Train ticket to Moulmein
Sule Paya
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