24 hours in Yangon

Myanmar is the last frontier for tourists and business travelers alike, at least in this part of the region. However, there is limited information available (unlike cities such as Bangkok) and so, its quite 'mysterious' to many people. I was always asked 'what is there to do in Myanmar/ Yangon?' To me, its home. Its not somewhere I go to tour. So when I had to think on my feet about places to go and food to eat, my advice wouldn't have been very coherent or helpful.  After taking my time to think of recommendations, here is the packed itinerary if you just have 24 hours in Yangon!

Given the limited time and notorious traffic jam in Yangon, I tried to reduce travelling time by focusing on attractions which are located close together.  Downtown Yangon is made up of 6 townships (Latha, Lanmadaw, Pabedan, Kyauktada, Botahtaung, Pazundaung) and the road layout follows a grid pattern. So it should be quite easy to navigate your way around.

When it comes to choosing some places and rejecting others, I had to strike a balance between history, architecture, religious places, nature, shopping and of course, food! Being the former British colonial capital, Yangon has the most number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia.  Since time has effectively stood still for so many decades, my colleague mentioned that he felt as if he had stepped through a time machine when he visited Myanmar. It is possible to walk the entire stretch of road without finding any modern day buildings. Instead, you would be inside the larger-than-life museum with rows of colonial era buildings. Sure, they are deteriorate and worn down. However, they are exhibits which you could never find elsewhere. So such sights would be the main highlights of my itinerary.  Based on your own preference, you may choose to spend more time in some places while forgoing other places. I hope you experience something new, something different!

Bon Voyage!

xoxo

Miss N

Mr & Missy in Myanmar - Day 1 - 19 Dec 2013

Nothing much happened on Day 1.

We left Singapore with an afternoon flight and landed in Yangon around 3 pm local time (after a 3-hour journey).  I don't really like taking early morning flights since I have this phobia of missing my flight if I can't wake up hehe :D

Mr & Missy in Myanmar

Have you guys read the news that Myanmar will be named as the World's Best Tourist Destination for 2014 by EU? 

[http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/myanmar-to-be-named-world-s-best-tourist-destination-114030900300_1.html]  

Myanmar Day 9 & 10 - Yangon - 27 & 28 May 2012

This day was just for relaxing, packing, Mister learning to ride a motorcycle and going to a supermarket to buy snacks to bring back to Singapore. We could not afford to wait until tomorrow to pack as our flight would be departing at 8am and we were required to be at the airport by 6am. 

Our driver was Mister's motorcycle teacher! 

Man, he was a quick learner! In a few minutes, he was driving around my neighborhood - FMI City. That was what he was doing for most of the afternoon anyway :D

Myanmar Day 8 - Yangon - 26 May 2012

My mom prepared See-Kyat-Kout-Swae (Myanmar minced pork noodles) for breakfast.

Myanmar Day 7 - Yangon - 25 May 2012

We reached Yangon around 6am and I didn't want to trouble my mom to fetch us so early in the morning. So I arranged for the taxi pick-up service even before we left Kyaukse.  It was 6am, the car was air-conditioned, it was a pre-arranged pick-up/ on-call service. So I thought 8000 Kyats (around USD 10) for a 30-min trip to my parents' place was worth it! Besides, the taxi driver had worked in Malaysia and Singapore in the past, so he could speak English. If you are interested, I have included a picture of his name card (:

Myanmar Day 1 - Yangon - 19 May 2012

The flight landed in Yangon just before 12 noon. Mister said a very clean and pristine airport environment even reminded him of Singapore’s Changi Airport :D But rumor has it that the company designing Yangon International Airport is also the one which designs Changi International Airport. Contrary to his expectations of some hiccups, immigration was fast and efficient as was luggage retrieval. 

Mister's First Trip to Myanmar (May 2012)

Although we have started dating since 2008, Mister has not been to Myanmar, not even once. Of course, that is not acceptable yea :D So we planned! 

Since I was already planning to go home for a short visit after my final exams in the NUS (National University of Singapore), I asked him to go with me.  As we were planning his trip, he had doubts like "would he be granted a tourist visa because he held a US passport".  [Nope, I am not dating an Ang Moh. He is just an ABC - American Born Chinese :D] I had to repeatedly reassure him that he would be given a visa and there is nothing to fear at the immigration. Of course, as I told him, he easily obtained a visa.  By the way, Myanmar Embassy (Singapore) is located near Orchard Road. The address is 15 St Martin's Drive, Singapore 257996.