Travelogue to Guangzhou - Free and Easy Shangxiajiu (March 2016)

We flew in on 1 March 2016 and departed on 6 March.  With the exhibition going on from 2 March to 5 March, there wasn't much time left for sightseeing.  

On our first day, we hopped over to the renowned Shangxiajiu pedestrian street.  Officially opened in 1995, Shangxiajiu is the first of its kind among shopping streets dedicated to pedestrians only.  I think you can purchase with peace of mind for items with prices written down.  On the other hand, for items without price stickers, try to bargain, especially since you can find similar items in the hundreds of shops lining the Shangxiajiu pedestrian street. 

How to get there:

ChangShou Station on Metro line 1

Exit D2

Beginning of Shangxiajiu pedestrian street, where you can indulge in some bargain hunting for everything from clothes, shoes, accessories, souvenirs to even luggages (in case you end up buying too many to carry :D)

Travelogue to Guangzhou - Exhibition days (March 2016)

Despite the proximity of Myanmar to China, I had never been to the world's most populous country till now. There are 3 huge dental exhibitions a year in China, held at the nation's 3 biggest cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.  Given the availability of direct flight from Yangon as well as Guangzhou's not so harsh temperatures in March, I and my dad attended 2016 Dental South China Exhibition held at the capital of Guangdong province. 

Travelogue to Pyin Oo Lwin - Myanmar's Hill Top Getaway (4 Jan 2016)

We left hotel slightly later around 9:45am as we had to pack all our stuff and checked out.  We grabbed breakfast along the way, popped over to the market to buy some souvenirs and snacks before heading to Dee Dote Blue Lagoon, located between Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin. 

Travelogue to Pyin Oo Lwin - Myanmar's Hill Top Getaway (3 Jan 2016)

Due to our late bedtime previous night, we only headed out around 930am towards the Pyin Oo Lwin Central Market, near clock tower. 

Purcell Tower

Built in 1934 by Gillete and Johnson Co. of England in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of the reign of King George V of Britain

Travelogue to Pyin Oo Lwin - Myanmar's Hill Top Getaway (2 Jan 2016)

Right after ringing in a new year, we embarked on a trip towards the hill top getaway "Pyin Oo Lwin". This trip was further made special by our little fur-guest - Mr. Milo (a fur baby of our friends, Mike & Rachel).  After getting a doggie of my own, I realised how tough it must have been for our friends and Milo. Just think of unannounced bathroom breaks and a risk of Mr. Milo running out of our mini bus.  Heart-stopping!  So good job Milo, you had been such an angel!!!

Mt.Popa with Friends - 22 June 2015

We took our time savouring breakfast, chilling around the resort and packing our bags before checking out.

Bagan with Friends - 21 June 2015

In Bagan, locals believed that their wish will come true if you visit these four pagodas namely Tant Kyi Taung, Law Ka Nan Da, Tu yin Taung, and Shwe Zi Gon on the same day, before noon. Of course, you can only make the same one wish at all four spots. 

Due to the widespread locations of the four pagodas and the need to take ferry across Ayeyarwaddy river to reach Tant Kyi Taung, we set our alarms for 4am and set off from hotel around 430 am.  Our kind hotel F&B team went an extra mile and prepared packed breakfast of fried rice and watermelon juice for us!

The route to the top of the mountain to pray at Tant Kyi Taung was so rough and it is recommended you rent car and driver from locals.  If your group is big and want to save money, light truck (20,000 Kyats per round trip with capacity up to 15 pax) is the one.  However, expect the ride to be quite bumpy.  We hired 2 small cars, which accommodated 5 pax each. Rental fees including driver was 18,000 Kyats per round trip for each car. 

Sun rise view from Tant Kyi Taung