We then set off to the Shwedagon Pagoda. Of course, no trip to Yangon cannot be complete without a visit to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, right? Based on available historical records, the pagoda is over 2600 years old, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Myanmar and the world. It stands at 325 feet tall and contains relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within. The pagoda is coated with gold plates, donated by local Burmese all over the country. The peak of the pagoda is tipped with a 76 carat diamond. Once you are inside the pagoda, it is truly an amazing site. Locals enter on a regular basis to do their prayer rituals and to spend family time by having meals together and just sitting down enjoying each other’s company. A sense of peace surrounds the entire area and it is truly a refreshing feel.
It was drizzling and we couldn't see the pagoda properly :(
I looked funny with sarong / longyi on top of my dress!
With my mom
a 76 carat diamond at the peak of the pagoda
With the floating Karaweik Resaurant - it is a concrete replica of the Pyigyimon Burmese Royal Barge, build int 1972
When I asked the security guards, they said the correct gate was just a 10-min walk away so we walked. Oh dear, it was definitely more than a 10-min walk. Plus, it just rained so it was very very humid. There were puddles of water on the roads too. So not fun walking like that. We should have taken a cab!
Mister was again surprised to see satellite dishes on the roofs and shoe-box apartments with no windows.
Andddddddd we reached the correct gate to see animals! But we were hungry so we looked for a place to eat first. We didn't even take pictures of all our food as we were hungry and pictures became secondary :D
After our tummies were happy, we walked around the park and looked for animals. Guess what, all their animal exhibitions were moved to the Yangon Zoological Gardens!!! It was a huge disappointment after we walked in a hot, humid weather to find the right entrance! However, with wooden walkways, the lake is still a great place for couples and friends to hang out.
Then, we took a cab back to my mom's office to wait for 5pm when all the street vendors will open their shops in Chinatown! Basically, the entire street is lined with food stalls that include small tables and stools for patrons to dine in. I was so excited about eating all the street food again!
Mister said that sticky rice & pork dumpling was so authentic and that it tasted better than the ones he ate in Singapore!
BBQ Meat!
We really really wanted to eat more but we were so full. We were about to burst! So it would be great to go there in a big group. Then you can order a lot of things to share and you get to try a bit of everything! The only regret was not trying pork internal organs. You might think its disgusting but it is really really delicious! Next time I go to Chinatown, it will be the first thing I eat, I swear!
To truly appreciate the colonial times of early 20th century Burma, take a ride (or walk!) along Strand Road. Most of the buildings of today have been reconstructed but some still retain their original architecture. The Myanmar Port Authority, Law Court and the landmark Strand Hotel give a clear impression of Burma as a British colony. All other parts of modern Yangon have been reconstructed and give no impression of the colonial times but these few buildings that still stand today serve as a reminder of how colonial Burma was once the most prosperous country in the South-East Asia region.
On the way back home for dinner, we stopped by at the People's Square (the place where Jason Mraz and Michael Learns to Rock held their Yangon concerts) to enjoy the night view of the Shwedagon Pagoda. It was foggy and cloudy in the morning so we wanted to try our luck again. Oh dear, it was a beautiful sight!
And that's all for all the sightseeing of Mister's virgin trip to Myanmar!
Adios!
xoxo
Miss N
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