Travel Blog Archives - Hotel by the Red Canal https://www.hotelredcanal.com/category/blog/travel-blog/ Mandalay Mon, 30 Nov 2020 11:35:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 86155587 Authentic Railway Bazaar, Real Taste of Burmese People Life in Mandalay https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2020/07/15/authentic-railway-bazaar-real-taste-of-burmese-people-life-in-mandalay/ Wed, 15 Jul 2020 08:31:52 +0000 https://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1721 Mandalay has a surprising amount to offer for those seeking lesser-known sites and activities. Almost as though it has risen from the ashes, Mandalay exists today as a young, lively and vibrant city, famous for its culture, education and arts. The city is also home to some of the country’s most lively and colorful markets. Mandalay’s gem market for example, is the largest of its kind in the country and a great way to witness the experienced buyers and sellers do what they do best. Then there is the “Thaye Zay Station Bazaar, a local market with a difference. For anyone who’s tired of popular tourist hot spots in Mandalay and wants a glimpse of ordinary Burmese social life, there’s no better way to spend your morning than shopping for produce at the “Thaye Zay” Station Bazaar. The open-air market spans both sides of a railway track, springing to life in the morning when vendors arrive with close to one hundred pop-up stalls. This business is purely temporary however, seeing as the vendors are frequently required to remove their stock to make way for passing trains.     About one kilometer north of Mandalay’s symbolic moat, the open-air market spans […]

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]]> Mandalay has a surprising amount to offer for those seeking lesser-known sites and activities. Almost as though it has risen from the ashes, Mandalay exists today as a young, lively and vibrant city, famous for its culture, education and arts. The city is also home to some of the country’s most lively and colorful markets. Mandalay’s gem market for example, is the largest of its kind in the country and a great way to witness the experienced buyers and sellers do what they do best.

Then there is the “Thaye Zay Station Bazaar, a local market with a difference. For anyone who’s tired of popular tourist hot spots in Mandalay and wants a glimpse of ordinary Burmese social life, there’s no better way to spend your morning than shopping for produce at the “Thaye Zay” Station Bazaar.

The open-air market spans both sides of a railway track, springing to life in the morning when vendors arrive with close to one hundred pop-up stalls. This business is purely temporary however, seeing as the vendors are frequently required to remove their stock to make way for passing trains.

 

Thaye Zay Railway Bazaar, Mandalay

 

About one kilometer north of Mandalay’s symbolic moat, the open-air market spans both sides of the railway track and is named after the station nearby, coming to life every morning when a train pulls up with vendors from nearby villages.

A passenger train arrives each morning at 7 and 11 am. It only takes about 30 minutes from the time the train arrives and leaves. It would have been quite the experience seeing all the vendors having to quickly move their shops to let the train pass by. We got a chance to see ordinary Burmese people going about their day to day. The market is very busy with locals and the best part- no foreigners!

Everyone always wearing a traditional longyi and most women had their faces painted with “Thanaka” paste. The market has everything a villager may need- fresh locally grown produce, meats, fish, pre-cooked foods, apparel and house wears.

 

Vendor with Thanaka

 

Vendors at the bazaar, like those at the similar Maekong Market in Thailand, are sometimes required to pull their produce off the track to make way for an incoming train, especially during business rush hours from the early morning until noon.

The vegetables are fresh from the farm, and relatively cheap. You can marvel at the roasted harvest mice and sweet toddy palm sap available there. It’s just a very local place where you can see how ordinary Burmese country folk make a living.

Continuing your exploration, you head to the railway bazaar, a fascinating market experience where the locals ply their trade on the railway track, scattering each time a train come along. A vibrant cacophony of sights, smells and sounds offering a host of photo opportunities, this market is a must see for anyone who wishes to witness a unique side of life in Myanmar.

 

Locals at Bazaar,Mandalay

 

Watch out more about this Authentic Railway Bazaar (RFA Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGgh8Y_Or7U

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]]> 1721 The Royal Palace In Mandalay https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2020/06/19/the-royal-palace-in-mandalay/ Fri, 19 Jun 2020 08:13:57 +0000 https://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1709 The year was 1885 and the last Burmese king was standing strong. The British forces were marching into Mandalay with very little opposition. Their plan to take over the country was succeeding- but capturing the Royal Palace of Mandalay in the centre of the city, was going to be an important symbolic victory. As it turned out, overtaking the palace- and King ThibawMin- was even easier than predicted. The British demanded unconditional surrender and that’s what they got.The King and Queen were put on a bullock cart and taken down to the river to be sent into exile in India. The story goes that when the British soldiers pulled out their guns, the King dropped down to his knees and begged for his life to be spared. His queen, however, walked on her own defiantly towards the steamer on the mighty Irrawaddy. After the British invasion, the palace was used by the colonialists as a base for troops in Mandalay and many of the royal treasures were looted and sent back to London ( many are still on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum). Every global aggress or eventually must face a rising challenger. And so it was that […]

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]]> The year was 1885 and the last Burmese king was standing strong. The British forces were marching into Mandalay with very little opposition. Their plan to take over the country was succeeding- but capturing the Royal Palace of Mandalay in the centre of the city, was going to be an important symbolic victory.

As it turned out, overtaking the palace- and King ThibawMin- was even easier than predicted. The British demanded unconditional surrender and that’s what they got.The King and Queen were put on a bullock cart and taken down to the river to be sent into exile in India.

The story goes that when the British soldiers pulled out their guns, the King dropped down to his knees and begged for his life to be spared. His queen, however, walked on her own defiantly towards the steamer on the mighty Irrawaddy.

After the British invasion, the palace was used by the colonialists as a base for troops in Mandalay and many of the royal treasures were looted and sent back to London ( many are still on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum).
Every global aggress or eventually must face a rising challenger. And so it was that during the Second World War, Japanese forces captured he Mandalay Palace and used it as a supply depot for their expansions in the region. In retaliation, the Allies bombed the compound and most of it was burnt to the ground.

Only one major wooden building survived-the Shwenandaw Monastery, which is built completely of teak and is decorated throughout with detailed and ornate carvings. The watch tower and royal mint were also undamaged. The rest of the Royal Palace has been rebuilt from scratch.

So, almost everything you walk through from the entrance hall all the way past the throne room and to the residences was constructed in the early 1990’s. Although it is faithful to the original design and some traditional construction techniques were used, modern materials like concrete and corrugated iron were incorporated into the reconstructions.
Visiting the palace is one of the best things to do in Mandalay. It doesn’t take too long to walk through the palace but it can take a long time to get into it. The palace grounds are massive and dominate the cityscape. They are huge square of about two kilometers on each side, surrounded by a 64 meter-wide moat. Only one entrance can be used by tourists-the eastern- and it can take a long time to get to it if you happen to be on the other side (where most of the hotels are).

There are some great tours in Mandalay, many of which include the Royal Palace. Have a look at these ones that I would recommend:
The reason for the inconvenience is because the actual restored palace takes up only a small space in the centre of the grounds. The rest of the area is used now as a military base and big signs (and guards) remind you that it’s a restricted zone.

At least it is back in the hands of the local people again, whatever the international view of the Myanmar military is.
After the British control and then the Japanese it seems there is now plenty of protection for this important symbol of Mandalay and Myanmar. Nobody will march unopposed through these gates again.

” The last Palace built by Burmese Royals”

When King Mindon Min founded Mandalay in 1857 he ordered construction of a new Royal Palace called the “Mya Nan San Kyaw”. The old Royal Palace in the former capital Amarapura was dismantled, transported to Mandalay and rebuilt there.

The Mandalay Royal Palace is the last Palace built by Burmese Royals. On the large complex are dozens of buildings including audience halls, throne halls, a monastery, a watch tower, a court building, a tooth relic building and a library where the Buddhist scriptures were kept.

“The citadel with the teak wood Palace”

The Palace that was completely made from teak wood was built in the center of a large citadel or fort. The square citadel was surrounded by four walls each 2 kilometers long with a total of 48 turrets. In the walls were 12 gates, one for each sign of the Zodiac. Around the walls was a 60 meter wide moat, crossed by a number of bridges.

“Watch Tower”

The watch tower is a very solid reddish brown cylindrical tower measuring 24 meters high. It is topped by a golden seven tiered Pyatthat roof. The stairway winding around the tower can be climbed, which gives a good overview of the Palace and great views of Mandalay.
The watch tower is one of only two original buildings left, the other one being the Royal Mint.

” Tooth relic Tower”

Close to the main entrance is the Burmese style tooth relic tower. The all white square structure has a small square relic chamber on top and a steep stairway leading to it. In spite of its name the building never contained a relic from the Buddha, it houses a Buddha statue instead.

“Supreme Court Building”

A number of Royal Mausoleums was erected for the remains of several members of the Burmese Royal Family. One if for the founder of Mandalay and the Royal Palace, King Mindon Min.

“Great Audience Hall”

The Great Audience Hall is another very attractive, intricately decorated building. The hall is about 75 meters long and topped with a seven tiered Pyatthat roof. In front of it are a few old canons. The wooden bargeboards and eaves boards on the roof are all carved in flower patterns. In the original building there were also gilded.

“Lion Throne Room”

The Lion Throne room contained the Lion Throne, an extremely richly decorated and ornamented wooden throne. In total there were eight thrones in the Palace, of which the Lion Throne was the most important.
On top of the Lion Throne room is a seven tiered Pyatthat roof, richly decorated and gold plated. This Pyatthat marks the center of the Palace.

“Glass Palace”

The Glass Palace is one of the largest and most beautiful structures of the Palace. This building was used as Kin Mindon’s personal living quarters. It contains two large rooms, one of which contained the Bee Throne, the other one was separated into a number of smaller rooms, which were the King’s living room and bed room , as well as a number of rooms for his Queens.

“Golden Palace Monastery”

The Shwenandaw Kyaung or Golden Palace Monastery is a very ornate teak building that was originally contained in the Palace compound. It was later moved to its current location just outside the Palace grounds and converted into a Buddhist monastery. The Golden Palace Monastery is the only major all teak building that remains of the original Royal Palace.

It has been a century since the last King of Burmese staying in the Royal Mandalay Palace. To date, it has been restored several times and become one of the most popular attractions to visit in Myanmar tours. Once witnessing the charm of the fabulous architecture and learn more about its history, it ensures to deliver you an interesting experience in the Golden Land of Myanmar.

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]]> 1709 2 weeks in Myanmar: the ultimate itinerary https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2020/03/19/2-weeks-in-myanmar-the-ultimate-itinerary/ Thu, 19 Mar 2020 09:35:23 +0000 https://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1655 A travel guide for your trip to Myanmar! If you are planning to spend 2 weeks in Myanmar, the ultimate itinerary is here for you! I have gathered all the information you need to prepare for your trip, the ideal itinerary and the things to do per places. My goal is to help you anticipate and enjoy your travels in Myanmar as much as possible! I spent 2 weeks in Myanmar, aka Burma, in January 2020. This country was on my radar since a few years as I discovered its amazing beauty on Instagram. Seeing it by myself was such an amazing experience! I went to Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan and Mandalay. Although I travelled during high season, I didn’t find that the places were overcrowded. Myanmar is indeed not too touristy yet, a good thing if you like to travel without being in the middle of a crowd! My recommendation for a 2 weeks itinerary The country of Myanmar is full of beauty and really deserves a visit! I was amazed by all the places I have visited there! If you have planned to stay for 2 weeks, here are the destinations that I recommend: Yangon: 4 days (city […]

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]]>

A travel guide for your trip to Myanmar!

If you are planning to spend 2 weeks in Myanmar, the ultimate itinerary is here for you! I have gathered all the information you need to prepare for your trip, the ideal itinerary and the things to do per places. My goal is to help you anticipate and enjoy your travels in Myanmar as much as possible!

I spent 2 weeks in Myanmar, aka Burma, in January 2020. This country was on my radar since a few years as I discovered its amazing beauty on Instagram. Seeing it by myself was such an amazing experience! I went to Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan and Mandalay. Although I travelled during high season, I didn’t find that the places were overcrowded. Myanmar is indeed not too touristy yet, a good thing if you like to travel without being in the middle of a crowd!

My recommendation for a 2 weeks itinerary

The country of Myanmar is full of beauty and really deserves a visit! I was amazed by all the places I have visited there! If you have planned to stay for 2 weeks, here are the destinations that I recommend:

  • Yangon: 4 days (city of arrival and departure)
  • Inle Lake: 3 days
  • Bagan: 4 days
  • Mandalay: 3 days

 

Here is the ultimate itinerary for those 2 weeks in Myanmar:

  • Day 1: Arrive in Yangon
  • Day 2: visit Yangon
  • Day 3: travel from Yangon to Inle Lake
  • Day 4 and 5: visit Inle Lake and the area
  • Day 6: travel from Inle Lake to Bagan
  • Day 7 to 9: visit Bagan and the area
  • Day 10: travel from Bagan to Mandalay
  • Day 11 and 12: visit Mandalay and the area
  • Day 13: travel from Mandalay to Yangon
  • Day 14: visit Yangon and departure (or departure in day 15)

Of course you can mix the cities if needed!

There are two international airports in Myanmar: one in Yangon and one in Mandalay. Mandalay International Airport is Myanmar’s biggest. It puts travellers closer to the country’s most beloved tourist stops. On the contrary Yangon International Airport is located far to the south and is older. Nevertheless it has better international connections than the one in Mandalay, that’s the reason why I chose it!

If you fly via Mandalay in Myanmar, you can adapt this ultimate 2 weeks itinerary by counting one more day in this city and one day less in Yangon.

How to travel between places?

The two main ways of transportation between the cities of Myanmar are the flights or the bus. In this ultimate itinerary guide for 2 weeks in Myanmar, I have listed the pros and cons of each way. Therefore you can decide what is best for you after reading the details below.

Foremost here is a good website to organize your trip: 12go.asia. I used it to know what are all the possible ways of transportation between two places, the timings, and the prices. It’s very useful and insightful.

 

Flying in Myanmar

Flying in Myanmar: the pros and cons

Flying is the easiest and fastest way to go from one place to another in Myanmar. Because I didn’t want to lose time during my trip, I chose that option for most of my travels there. It takes around 1h to get from one city to another.

Nevertheless the only disadvantage of the flight as a way of transportation in Myanmar is the price. This is the most expensive way to travel from one place to another (count between 65 and 90 USD minimum for a flight ticket). Therefore if you are travelling on a budget, you have to take this into account.

Flying in Myanmar: my experience

I used Golden Myanmar Airlines, as it was the cheapest. It was a good decision: I was satisfied with all my flights. The prices of domestic flights were between 65 and 90 USD at the time I travelled in the country. The price depends on how far the destination is and on the airlines you choose (some are more expensive). I booked my flights one month in advance and paid online. A friend of mine booked a flight last minute the day prior departure and the price was the same and seats were still available. There are 2 departures a day, usually one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

For domestic flights you just need to be there one hour in advance. It was written on the email I received after booking my ticket online that I had to call the company one day in advance to confirm that I would be on the flight. I did it the first time, but I stopped to do it afterwards and it was still ok.

The check-in and security process were quite fast. The planes are small, as not a lot of local people can afford to flight (see photo above). I saw a lot of tourists but also a few locals, and the flights were not fully booked. It was ok in term of comfort. To my biggest surprise the placement inside the plane was free. Although the trips were short (only 1h), the staff served something to eat and to drink to the passengers during the flight. Once I arrived at my destination, it was super fast to collect the luggage.

The smallest airport was the one close to Inle Lake, named HEHO Airport. Despite its small size we managed to find something to eat/drink and there was enough space to seat properly to wait for the flight.

Taking the bus in Myanmar

Taking the bus in Myanmar: the pros and cons

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to go from one place to another in Myanmar. If you do not have much budget, this is definitely the best option for you!

The price for the bus tickets varies from 12 to 23 USD depending on the company, if you book economy or business/VIP, and how far is the destination. The buses are comfortable. The bus companies are usually providing a blanket and drinking water in Economy/Express bus. If you book a VIP bus you can get a blanket, drinking water, a soft drink, and a towel (+ toothpaste and toothbrush for night buses). The bus drivers will take breaks along the way, which will allow you to buy food if needed and use the bathroom.

However the disadvantages of taking the bus to travel in Myanmar are the duration and the time of travel.

Firstly it takes around 10h to 12h to go from one touristy site to another. This is a lot of time to spend in the bus!

Secondly most of the trips are only available at night. The departures are usually at the end of the afternoon, arriving very early in the morning. The good thing about this is that it can help you save time vs sightseeing and save you the cost of a hotel. But as the buses arrive at the crack of dawn you might not be able to check-in in your hotel and use the bathroom for a well-deserved shower after a night in the bus.

Lastly, you have to be aware that the roads in Myanmar are quite damaged. Therefore the journey can be bumpy, which can prevent you from sleeping, no matter how comfortable the bus is.

Taking the bus in Myanmar: my experience

I have taken the bus to go from Bagan to Mandalay as it was only a 5h trip and there was one departure in the morning and one in the afternoon. I bought my bus ticket in a street shop in Bagan for less than 10 USD 2 days before the departure. I booked the ticket for the afternoon bus from 1 pm to 6 pm. The bus came directly at my hotel in Bagan and dropped me at my hotel in Mandalay. The bus was comfortable and we had dedicated seats. Nevertheless there was an issue with the luggage: all of the passengers had luggage and there was no dedicated space in the bus for it. Therefore the bus drivers put all the baggage in the alley (see photo above). This was not practical at all to go in and out of the bus as we had to climb over them to move out of our seats. Moreover in case of an accident this could have been very dangerous!

Here are some good things you can take into account for any bus trips by night:

  • As there is not so much traffic at this time, it can happen that they arrive a bit ahead of schedule.
  • Some hotels allow you an early check-in if they have availabilities for an extra fee.
  • Some tour guide companies are waiting at the stations of arrival as they expect the tourists not to have any plans. For example they are offering you a day tour or a half-day tour of the touristy places around in a personal taxi and you can let your luggage in the trunk of the car.

Yangon

Yangon is the largest city and former capital city of Myanmar. It was my first stop and my last stop of my 2 weeks trip. Indeed I arrived from the international airport, which is the primary international airport of the country.

With its amazing pagodas, its beautiful colonial architecture and its yummy street food, Yangon is a destination that deserves a visit! That’s why I had to put it in the ultimate itinerary for 2 weeks in Myanmar!

What to do in Yangon

Here is the list of the best things to see, visit, and do in Yangon:

  • Shwedagon Pagoda: this pagoda is Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist monument. It’s truly impressive and quite big, so you have a lot to admire (see photos above)! The best moments to visit are sunrise and sunset.
  • Maha Wizaya Pagoda: this pagoda is located close to Shwedagon Pagoda. The architecture is stunning: the golden pagoda has many beautiful details on its façade and is very unique (see photos above)!
  • Swe Taw Myat Pagoda: also named “Buddha tooth relic pagoda”, it has a really beautiful architecture with photogenic staircases all around (see photos above).
  • Sule Pagoda: located in the center of downtown Yangon, this pagoda is part of the city’s economic and public life.
  • Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple: this temple hosts a statue of a reclining Buddha. With its 217 foot long, it is one of the largest in Myanmar.
  • Bogoyke Aung San market: a market built in 1926. It is great place to buy Burmese souvenirs such as textiles, handicrafts and paintings.
  • The colonial architecture: Myanmar used to be a British colony and in Yangon you can admire the beautiful architecture of some the preserved buildings from that time.
  • Kandawgyi lake and Kandawgyi Nature Park: a nice park for a stroll and to watch the sunset.
  • Karaweik Palace: this stunning palace is a barge located on the eastern shore of Kandawgyi Lake with two huge mythical birds.
  • Inya Lake: the largest lake of Yangon and a very exclusive area. The park there is a popular meeting place for couples.

Where to stay in Yangon

There are a few great areas to stay in Yangon. Downtown Yangon, close the colonial buildings and the street food corners, Northern Yangon, close to Shwedagon Pagoda and to Kandawgyi Lake, and Inya Lake.

If you are looking for an accommodation in Yangon, here are some suggestions:

  • Luxury hotel: Belmond Governor’s Residence, a luxurious colonial style mansion located in Yangon’s embassy quarter, a quiet part of the city (see photos above). Location: 35 Taw Win Rd, Yangon 11191. More info here: Belmond Governor’s Residence Hotel review. I stayed here for 3 amazing nights during my trip.
  • Mid range hotel: Merchant art hotel, a unique art boutique hotel with a contemporary design concept located close to Shwedagon Pagoda. Location: No.67/71, Yay Tar Shay, လမ်းသစ်လမ်း, Yangon. More info here: Merchant Art Hotel Yangon. I stayed here for 1 night during my trip.

Where to eat in Yangon

Here are some of the best places to eat in Yangon:

  • Rangoon Tea House: hipster tea house where you can get local food with the best ingredients, and tea of different varieties (see photos above). It’s inspired by the traditional tea houses. Location: Ground Floor, 77-79, Pansodan Street, Lower Middle Block, ရန်ကုန်, Myanmar. More info: Rangoon Tea House.
  • Wai Wai’s noodle place: a great place to experience local Shan food, especially noodles. Location: 301 Bo Aung Kyaw St, Middle Block, Kyauktada Township 11182 Yangon. More info: Wai Wai’s Noodle place.
  • Nourish cafe: a plant-based restaurant with healthy and yummy options (see photos above). Location: No. 36A, Alan Pya Pagoda Road, Pha Sa Pa La Ward Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Yangon, Myanmar. More info: Nourish Cafe.
  • The Marina: a great quality Indian restaurant close to Shwedagon Pagoda. Location: 63 Taw Win Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. More info: The Marina Indian Restaurant
  • Street food: Yangon is pretty famous for its street food. You can try for example the Night Market on Strand Road.

Inle Lake

Inle Lake was one of my favorite destinations in Myanmar! Inle Lake has been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, an ASEAN Heritage Site, a National Wildlife Sanctuary and a National Wetland Sanctuary. Therefore it’s a must to visit and it’s part of the ultimate itinerary for 2 weeks in Myanmar!

What to do in Inle Lake

Here is the list of the best things to see, visit, and do in Inle Lake:

  • Boat tour on Inle Lake: this is a must and the best way to discover the mystical Inle Lake! Here are some examples of the things you can see during a boat tour:
    • The traditional one leg rowing fishermen: seeing them performing is impressive (see photos above)!
    • The village of In Dein and Shwe In Dein Pagoda: an extraordinary site with 1054 stupas in many shapes and sizes dating from the 17th and 18th centuries (see photos above).
    • The Long Neck Women: some of them are working on their craftwork in front of you and selling it.
    • Aung Mingalar Pagoda: a very beautiful complex of white and golden stupas (see photos above).
    • Many floating villages
    • Silk and lotus weaving
    • A Floating garden: you can actually walk on it!
    • A fisherman village
    • A floating market (depending on the days)
  • Bike tour of the area: if you want to explore Inle Lake in a different way. It’s a mix of adventurous riding and cultural insight.
  • Kakku pagodas: this pagoda complex is a huge collection of 2,478 ancient stupas dating from the 17th and 18th centuries or even older ( a 2.5 hour car journey from Inle Lake).
  • The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda: a notable monastery in Inle Lake housing five small gilded images of Buddha covered in gold leaf.
  • Simply enjoying the sunrise and the sunset on the lake is already quite an amazing experience (see photos above)!

Where to stay in Inle Lake

You have 2 main options for places to stay in Inle Lake. On the one hand you can stay at one of the resorts on the lake. It has the benefits of having a direct view on Inle Lake and it’s perfect if you want to relax. But it’s the most expensive option and you will be more or less captive in your hotel as it’s far from anywhere else. On the second hand you can stay in the town of Nyaungshwe. This is more practical and the best option if you are travelling on a budget. But of course you won’t have the magical lake view.

If you are looking for an accommodation in Inle Lake, here are some suggestions:

  • Luxury hotel on the lake: Villa Inle Boutique Resort, an eco-friendly resort with a direct view on Inle Lake. Location: Eastern Bank of Inle Lake, Maing Thouk Village, Nyaung Shwe Township, Southern Shan State, Myanmar. More info: Villa Inle Hotel review. I stayed there for 2 fantastic nights (see photos above).
  • In Nyaungshwe: Thousand Islands hotel, a great value for money option with a central location close to the river. Location: Corner Of Kann Nar Road And Phaung Daw Side Road, Win Quarter, Nyaung Shwe, Inle Lake Southern, Nyaungshwe 11221, Myanmar. More info: Thousand Island Hotel. I stayed there for 1 night.

Where to eat in Inle Lake

Here are my two favorite places to eat in the area of Inle Lake. Those 2 restaurants are located in Nyaungshwe. If you are staying in one of the hotels on the lake you will probably have dinner there (you can have lunch in another place depending on where you will be sightseeing at that time of the day).

  • Sin Yaw: this restaurant was one of my favorites of my whole trip in Myanmar. The food is very tasty and the service is amazing! Location: MMR014002701, Nyaungshwe, Myanmar. More info: Sin Yaw Restaurant.
  • Paw paw cafe: an authentic restaurant serving very good Burmese food. Location: #26, between Pawn Daw Side Road and Yone Gyi Road, Win Quarter Shan State Nyaung Shwe. More info: Paw Paw Cafe & Restaurant .

Bagan

Bagan used to be the capital of the Pagan Kingdom between the 9th to the 13th centuries. During that time no less than 4,446 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed here. Today Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can still find in the area the remains of 3822 temples and pagodas! Bagan is so unique that it has to be part of the ultimate itinerary for 2 weeks in Myanmar!

What to do in Bagan

Here is the list of the best things to see, visit, and do in Bagan:

  • Go temple hopping in the area is of course number 1! Walking around here and discovering some of those treasures completely randomly was so extraordinary that I can only recommend you to discover it by yourself! You can go with an electric scooter by yourself or rent a tuk tuk.
  • Watch the sunrise with the hot air balloons in the sky and the temples in the background is quite a special experience (see photos above)! The balloons are flying during approx. 1h from sunrise so you have to get up early
  • The sunsets are also very spectacular in the area! You can go to one of the few sunset viewpoints to admire this natural show (see photos above). The 2 temples alongside the Irrawaddy River are great spots for example.
  • Visit Ananda temple: this Buddhist temple built in 1105 has a stunning architecture (see photos above).
  • Do a hot air balloon ride: I had the opportunity to fly with the company Balloons Over Bagan and it was unforgettable (see photos above)! Seeing all the temples and pagodas from above was fantastic!
  • Visit the archaeological museum: this will help you to understand the history and culture of the Bagan Empire.
  • See a local market: Mani Sithu Market in Nyaung-U is a good choice to get a real loca experience.
  • Hike Mount Popa: hiking this extinct volcano is an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful dramatic scenery.

Where to stay in Bagan

There are 3 different areas to look for an accommodation in Bagan: Old Bagan, New Bagan and Nyaung U. Firstly Old Bagan is where most of the ancient temples are located. This is the best spot to be close to the temples but also the most expensive. You will find many luxury resorts in this area. Secondly New Bagan is a new city with a lot of new hotels and resorts, and more affordable accommodation. There are a few temples close by (but not as many as Old Bagan). Lastly, Nyaung U is full of accommodation options for all budgets. It is the closest to the airport and the bus station, and you will find here a lot of restaurants.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Bagan, here are some suggestions:

  • Mid range hotel in Nyaung U: Bagan Valley, a good value for money option with a central location in Nyaung U. Location: Thiripyitsaya 4th Street, near FIT road, Quarter-4, Nyaung Oo,, Nyaung U, 11111 Bagan. More info: Bagan Valley Hotel. I stayed there for 5 nights.
  • Luxury option in Old Bagan: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, this 5 stars hotel in Old Bagan has an ideal location. Location: Near Bagan Village Tower, Min Nanthu Village, Nyaung Oo, Old Bagan 11111. More info: Aureum Palace Hotel. I didn’t have the opportunity to stay in this hotel, but some of the other tourists I have met did and they were satisfied.

Where to eat in Bagan

Here are some of the best places to eat in Bagan:

  • Sharky’s: this restaurant located in Nyaung U is renowned throughout Myanmar for its finest locally farmed, organic foods (see photos above). They are making their own cheese, yogurt, bread and pastries and growing their own vegetables. A great option if you miss fine European style food. Location: Anawratha road, Nyaung Oo. More info: Sharky’s.
  • HTI: this restaurant in Nyaung U serves local and European food and makes good cocktails. Location: Thi Ri Pyitsaya 5 Street, Nyaungu, Myanmar. More info: HTI Bar Restaurant.
  • The Moon Be Kind to Animals: this is an excellent vegetarian restaurant in Od Bagan (see photos above). Location: North of Ananda Temple. More info: The Moon Be kind to animals
  • The Black Bamboo: this restaurant of Nyaung U serves great Burmese dishes and also very nice European desserts and ice creams (see photos above). The owner is a French woman. Location: thiripyitsaya 4 Bagan Nyaung Oo. More info: The Black Bamboo
  • Weather spoon’s Bagan: a very popular restaurant in Nuyang U offering good Thai and Burmese curries, but also some Western classic like burgers. Location: Yar kin thar street, Nyaung oo. More info: Weather’s Spoon Restaurant.
  • Indian Hut: if you like Indian food, this one is a very good option. Location Thi Ri Pyitsaya4 (FIT) street, between Lanmadaw Road and Anawratha, Road,Nyaung-U, Old Bagan 05231. More info: Indian Hut Bagan.

Mandalay

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar after Yangon. It’s a religious hub with more Buddhist monasteries than anywhere else in the country, and a hotspot for commerce and culture. Therefore it is one of the cities you have to visit if you come to Myanmar and I added it to the ultimate itinerary for 2 weeks in Myanmar.

What to do in Mandalay and around

What to do in Mandalay

Here are some examples of the best things to see, visit, and do in Mandalay:

  • U Bein bridge: this is one of the oldest and longest teakwood bridges of the world! It’s very beautiful at sunrise and sunset (see photos above).
  • Kuthodaw Pagoda: this surprising Buddhist monument is no less than the largest book of the world (see photos above)!
  • Shwenandaw Monastery: an historic Buddhist monastery completely decorated outside and inside with intricate wood carvings (see photos above).
  • Mandalay Hill: climbing here at sunset will offer an amazing view of the city and the surrounding with temples, pagodas, and the Irrawaddy River.
  • Zay Cho Market: the largest and the most important market in Mandalay and in upper Burma.
  • Mandalay Palace:the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy.

What to do in the Sagaing region

If you visit Mandalay, don’t stick to the city itself. Indeed the Sagaing region and the town of Mingun on the opposite bank of the river bordering Mandalay are full of treasures! You can book a private tour by taxi to go there, or take the boat from Myan Gyan Jetty in Mandalay. Here are some of the surprising spots you can discover in this area:

  • Mya Thein Tan Pagoda, also known as Hsinbyume Pagoda: this white pagoda is modelled on the physical description of the Buddhist sacred mountain, Mount Meru. It’s a fantastic place to take pictures (see photos above)!
  • Mingun Pahtodawgyi: also called the incomplete pagoda, this temple is the ruin of a project meant to be the largest pagoda in Myanmar. An earthquake in 1839 caused huge cracks to appear on the face of the remaining structure (see photos above)!
  • Mingun Bell: this bell weighs 90 tons and is the second largest bell in the world!
  • U Min Thonze: this temple dating from the 14th century with pastel colors is one of the cutest and most original that I have ever seen (see photos above)! There are 30 entrances to the semicircular gallery housing 45 Buddha images.
  • Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda: one of the oldest and richest of the pagodas in Sagaing.

Where to stay in Mandalay

On the contrary to Yangon, Mandalay is not really a walkable city. It’s better to stay in the city centre because you will be closer to the main landmarks, to the restaurants, and the facilities. Take the Mandalay Palace as a reference point (you cannot miss it with its citadel’s four 2 km long walls forming a perfect square), and you look for a place around it, or close the 78th street – which is one of the main streets of Mandalay going from North to South.

If you are looking for an accommodation in Mandalay, here are some suggestions:

  • Hotel by the Red Canal: a charming 3 stars boutique hotel with a central location close to the Mandalay Palace and Kuthodaw Pagoda. It has a pool, a spa and a beautiful traditional architecture (see photo above). It has received many travel and hospitality awards. Location: No.417, corner of 63 rd & 22nd Road Mandalay Aung Myae Tha Zan Township. More info: Hotel by the Red Canal. I stayed there for lovely 3 nights
  • Budget option: Hotel Aurora is a good value for money option located close to the Mandalay Palace and Irrawaddy river. Location: No.190, 87th Street Between 26th Street and 27th Street Chan Aye Thar Zan Township. Near Zay Cho Market Mandalay, 05023. More info: Hotel Aurora. I didn’t had the opportunity to stay here but it was recommended to me.

Where to eat in Mandalay

Here are some of the best places to eat in Mandalay:

  • Unique Mandalay tea room: this modern and upscale tea room is a great place to go for breakfast and lunch. They have a great variety of tasty local specialties but also Western dishes and cakes (see photos above). Location: 70th St, between 27th and 28th St, Mandalay. More info: Unique Mandalay Tea Room.
  • Pan cherry noodle house & café: this small and humble restaurant serves very good noodles and other local dishes for very cheap prices (see photos above). Location: Corner of 25th Street &, 82nd St, Mandalay 05071. More info: Pan Cherry Noodle House.
  • Marie-Min restaurant: this vegetarian and vegan restaurant is cooking dishes with fresh fruits and vegetables. Location: 74th×75th Streets, 26th×27th Streets, Chan Aye Tharzan Tsp, Mandalay. More info: Marie Min.
  • Mingalabar restaurant: this authentic local restaurant has a lot of Burmese dishes on the menu (see photos above). Although the place was very busy the service was fast. Location: 71st St, Mandalay. More info: Mingalabar Restaurant.

Where to go if you have more than 2 weeks?

This ultimate itinerary is based on a 2 weeks trip in Myanmar and this is already enough to discover all the beauty of this country! But you might wonder where you should go if you have more time to visit. There are two places I really regret not having the time to see: Ngapali Beach and Hpa-An. Therefore these are the ones I will recommend to you!

  • Ngapali Beach: did you know that Myanmar had some dream beaches?? Yeah I didn’t know either… If you are looking for a beautiful natural beach far from the crowd then you should check Ngapali Beach! Located on the west of Myanmar facing the Bay of Bengal, what is referred to as Ngapali beach is actually not a single beach, but it is the name of an entire stretch of beaches. Picture this: around 7 km of white soft sand, turquoise blue waters, coconut palms and almost no tourist! If this sounds like a dream to you, you know where to go 😉

 

  • Hpa-An: the 3 main reasons why you should visit Hpa-An are the caves, the views and Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda. Firstly the cave system in this area is very interesting. If you like spelunking this place is for you! Some caves are filled with buddha images, pagodas and clay wall carvings. Secondly, if you want to get some breathtaking views you should climb Mount Zwe Kabin. This hike is difficult and starts very early in the morning, but the panorama you get at the top is apparently very rewarding! Lastly Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda is a buddhist temple complex perched a the top a limestone pinnacle surrounded by an artificial lake at the foot of Mount Zwe Kabin. This extraordinary pagoda seems to defy the laws of gravity and is a very picturesque place at sunset!
With this ultimate 2 weeks itinerary in Myanmar I have shared many tips for your trip. Of course if you have more specific questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me or ask them in the comments!

I really enjoyed my trip to Myanmar and I am sure you will love it too! The architecture of the pagodas and temples, the friendliness of the Burmese people, the good quality of the local cuisine and the variety of things to do are some of the reasons why you should visit this country asap!

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]]> 1655 Capturing Sunrise and Sunset at World’s Longest and Oldest Teak Bridge In Mandalay https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2020/03/01/capturing-sunrise-and-sunset-at-worlds-longest-and-oldest-teak-bridge-in-mandalay/ Sun, 01 Mar 2020 13:31:04 +0000 https://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1642 It isn’t the oldest bridge in the world, but U Bein Bridge is the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. Crossing the naturally beautiful Taungthaman Lake from East to West. The 1.2km (0.75mi) bridge was built around 1850 and the construction began when the capital of Ava Kingdom moved to Amarapura, build by Bodawpaya’s eponymous mayour using timber from Ava. The bridge was built in curved shape in the middle to resist the assault of wind and water. The main teak posts were hammered into the lake bed seven feet deep, supported by more than 1,000 poles. Earning its rights as a must visit while in Mandalay. Many photographers flock here to take photographs of the bridge silhouette and the setting sun as the backdrop. It may be the most photographed spot in Myanmar. The morning view was quiet, peaceful and also spectacular. Drove down to Amarapura early in the morning around 4:45am and managed to reach the bridge just right before the sun began to rise. The calm atmosphere in the early morning is exactly what I was looking for and you can only see monks from the near monasteries crossing the bridge. Great photography opportunities if […]

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]]> It isn’t the oldest bridge in the world, but U Bein Bridge is the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. Crossing the naturally beautiful Taungthaman Lake from East to West. The 1.2km (0.75mi) bridge was built around 1850 and the construction began when the capital of Ava Kingdom moved to Amarapura, build by Bodawpaya’s eponymous mayour using timber from Ava.

The bridge was built in curved shape in the middle to resist the assault of wind and water. The main teak posts were hammered into the lake bed seven feet deep, supported by more than 1,000 poles.

Earning its rights as a must visit while in Mandalay. Many photographers flock here to take photographs of the bridge silhouette and the setting sun as the backdrop. It may be the most photographed spot in Myanmar.

sunrise

The morning view was quiet, peaceful and also spectacular. Drove down to Amarapura early in the morning around 4:45am and managed to reach the bridge just right before the sun began to rise. The calm atmosphere in the early morning is exactly what I was looking for and you can only see monks from the near monasteries crossing the bridge. Great photography opportunities if you visit in the morning.

Lake Taungthaman was a clear light blue ad as flat as a mirror in the morning. The fishing boats were getting ready to start their day. We could see them in the morning mist in the distance. After the seconds of stillness passed, the sky was full of light and the landscape glowed. Everything  came back to life. Early fishermen cast nests in the lake. Birds glided over the row rippled water. The footsteps of tourists and the people of  near by who are ready for their workplaces began to clip-clop across the smooth woods. Prayers could be heard echoing across the lake. Farmers carried sacks across. More monks in large groups passed over U Bein Bridge.

Arriving back at around 6:15pm, there were quite number of locals hanging out on the bridge off-course the tourists have already positioned their camera setup, both on and off bridge. Would have been nicer if we took a boat ride to see the full length of the bridge. Due to time constraints, we just have to be contented on top of the bridge.

The reflections in the lake is stunning and the locals usually are out and about making it an enjoyable experience where you can watch them go about their everyday lives. The food shops, souvenirs shops are displaying along the road to the bridge. If you are looking tour in the lake while you can see the sun slowly drifts down towards the horizon over the bridge and the watery fields around, the residents of Amarapura use it to head home from their day’s activities. Facing  the right side of the bridge, there is a small Buddhist temple by the lake which has a perfect backdrop of the colorful sky.

U Bein Bridge is definitely breathtaking and worth seeing above most other things near Mandalay that I believe the true magic lies in experiencing there in sunrise. In here, I would like to give some tips for visiting to U Bein Bridge is

-Leave your hotel by 4:00am -4:30am to get there early for sunrise. For sunset not later than 5:20pm to get reach there

-Book your taxi for go and back and set rate for the driver. Do not take a taxi off of the street, they will overcharge

_Wear sunscreen. If you stay long past sunrise it will get hot quick so do not forget to bring hats.

-Watch your steps and please do not wear high-heels.

-Do not miss out to capture the sunrise or sunset at world largest and oldest teak bridge in Mandalay!

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]]> 1642 Mandalay: Tipps, Sehenswürdigkeiten & Ausflüge https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2020/01/20/mandalay-tipps/ Mon, 20 Jan 2020 03:07:00 +0000 https://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1602 Mandalay ist die zweitgrößte Stadt Myanmars, hier gibt’s ne Menge Pagoden und Klöster zu besichtigen. Besonders die Ausflugsziele in der Umgebung unterscheiden Mandalay von anderen Städten in Myanmar. Ich verrate dir alles, was du für deinen Aufenthalt in der ehemaligen Hauptstadt wissen musst.  SEHENSWÜRDIGKEITEN IN MANDALAY Was wäre eine burmesische Stadt ohne Klöster und Pagoden? In Mandalay gibt es davon auf jeden Fall genug! Für einige Sehenswürdigkeiten gibt es ein Sammelticket. Das kostet 10.000 Kyat (ca. 7€) und ist für 5 Tage gültig. Folgende Sehenswürdigkeiten in Mandalay kannst du damit besuchen:  Mandalay Palace, Atummashi Kyaung, Shwenandaw Kyaung Kloster und die Altstadt von Inwa.  KUTHODAW-PAGODE Die Kuthodaw-Pagode ist auch bekannt als “Das größte Buch der Welt”. What? Rund um die Pagode stehen 729 kleine, weiße Stupas, in denen eine Marmortafel steht.  Diese stellen ein Blatt des größten Buches der Welt dar und es sind Texte der buddhistischen Lehre vermerkt. Besonders beeindruckend ist die Kuthodaw-Pagode zum Sonnenaufgang – ein unbeschreibliches Licht. Solltest du nicht zu den Frühaufsteher gehören, lässt sich ein Besuch der Kuthodaw-Pagode perfekt mit dem Mandalay Hill verbinden. Sie  liegt im Norden der Altstadt, sozusagen am Fuße des Mandalay Hills. Der Eintritt ist kostenlos. MANDALAY HILL  Der Mandalay Hill ist ein Hügel, auf […]

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]]> Mandalay ist die zweitgrößte Stadt Myanmars, hier gibt’s ne Menge Pagoden und Klöster zu besichtigen. Besonders die Ausflugsziele in der Umgebung unterscheiden Mandalay von anderen Städten in Myanmar. Ich verrate dir alles, was du für deinen Aufenthalt in der ehemaligen Hauptstadt wissen musst. 

SEHENSWÜRDIGKEITEN IN MANDALAY

Was wäre eine burmesische Stadt ohne Klöster und Pagoden? In Mandalay gibt es davon auf jeden Fall genug! Für einige Sehenswürdigkeiten gibt es ein Sammelticket. Das kostet 10.000 Kyat (ca. 7€) und ist für 5 Tage gültig. Folgende Sehenswürdigkeiten in Mandalay kannst du damit besuchen:  Mandalay Palace, Atummashi Kyaung, Shwenandaw Kyaung Kloster und die Altstadt von Inwa. 

KUTHODAW-PAGODE

Die Kuthodaw-Pagode ist auch bekannt als “Das größte Buch der Welt”. What? Rund um die Pagode stehen 729 kleine, weiße Stupas, in denen eine Marmortafel steht.  Diese stellen ein Blatt des größten Buches der Welt dar und es sind Texte der buddhistischen Lehre vermerkt. Besonders beeindruckend ist die Kuthodaw-Pagode zum Sonnenaufgang – ein unbeschreibliches Licht. Solltest du nicht zu den Frühaufsteher gehören, lässt sich ein Besuch der Kuthodaw-Pagode perfekt mit dem Mandalay Hill verbinden. Sie  liegt im Norden der Altstadt, sozusagen am Fuße des Mandalay Hills. Der Eintritt ist kostenlos.

MANDALAY HILL 

Der Mandalay Hill ist ein Hügel, auf welchem du nicht nur einen beeindruckende Pagode  begutachten sondern auch einen atemberaubenden Ausblick auf die Stadt genießen kannst: die vielen Klöster, Pagoden, der Mandalay Palace, der Fluss und die umherliegenden Berge. Die Wände und Säulen der Pagode sind über und über mit kleinen funkelnden Mosaiksteinen  bedeckt – ein tolles Farbenspiel mit dem Sonnenlicht – besonders zum Sonnenuntergang!

Anfahrt: Du kannst den Gipfel entweder zu Fuß, per Roller, mit dem Tuk Tuk oder dem Taxi erklimmen. Wir haben uns für die Roller variante entschieden und es war sehr angenehm, du kannst bis ganz nach oben fahren. Dort ist ein überdachter Parkplatz. 

Geheimtipp: Wenn du beim Hauptpalast die Treppen zu einem kleineren Gebäude  hinunter gehst, gelangst du zu dieser Fläche, wo du diese schönen Fensterbögen vorfindest. Der perfekte Ort, um den Sonnenuntergang zu beobachten.

Da ich einen Tag krank war, haben wir es leider nicht geschafft die folgenden Sehenswürdigkeiten zu besuchen. Uns wurden diese jedoch von vielen Reisenden empfohlen.

HANDWERKER-VIERTEL

Du kannst in Mandalay zahlreichen Handwerkern bei der Arbeit zuschauen. In dem Viertel der Goldschläger, wird das Gold immer noch per Hand geschlägert! In der  Schauwerkstatt “King Galon” in der 36. Straße kannst du diese Handwerkskunst bewundern. In der Nähe der Mahamuni Pagode befindet sich das Viertel der Holzschnitzer und Steinmetze.  

MADALAY PALACE

Der Mandalay Palace wurde zwischen 1857-1859 von König Mindon erbaut und ist der letzte königliche Palast der letzten birmanischen Monarchie. Das Gelände ist 4 Quadratkilometer groß und von einer dicken Mauer und einem riesigen Wassergraben umgeben. Im Jahre 1942 wurde die komplett aus Holz erbaute Anlage angegriffen und bis auf die Grundmauern niedergebrannt. Ab 1990 wurde versucht die Gebäude des Königspalastes so authentisch  wie möglich wieder aufzubauen.

SHWENANDAW KYAUNG KLOSTER

Das Shwenandaw Kyaung Kloster ist ein beeindruckendes goldenes Teakholz Kloster, welches von König Mindon als Privatgemach genutzt wurde. Es ist das einzige größere Gebäude, welches vom originalen Königpalast übrig geblieben ist.  

MAHAMUNI PAGODE

Die Mahamuni Pagode ist neben der Shwedagon Pagode und dem Goldenen Felsen in der Nähe von Hpa-An das wichtigste Pilgerziel für Buddhisten. Hier kannst du die heiligste Buddhastatue Myanmars bewundern, welche täglich von unzähligen Pilgern (nur Männern) mit Blattgolt beklebt wird.

FORTBEWEGUNG IN MANDALAY

Schaust du dir die Karte von Mandalay an, wir sie dich an amerikanische Städte erinnern. Mandalay wurde wie ein Schachbrett angelegt: Die Straßen verlaufen, sowohl von Norden nach Süden, als auch von Westen nach Osten. Sie sind alle durchnummeriert, demnach ist die Orientierung recht einfach. 

Auf den Straßen ist ein buntes Treiben angesagt: Roller, Autos, Fahrräder, Märkte … an den regen Verkehr in Mandalay mussten wir uns erst mal gewöhnen. Wir haben uns für einen Tag einen Roller gemietet, um die oben beschriebenen Sehenswürdigkeiten in Mandalay abzuklappern. Das empfehlen wir jedoch nur, wenn du dich sehr sicher fühlst und schön öfters Roller gefahren bist. Wir haben die Rushhour in Da Nang überlebt, deswegen haben wir es uns zugetraut. Den Roller haben wir bei TT Bike ausgeliehen und waren sehr beeindruckt von der Professionalität und dem Service. Die Roller sind in einem top Zustand, du kannst den Roller für 3,6,9,12, oder 24 Stunden ausleihen. Auf Wunsch wird der Roller dir sogar in deine Unterkunft gebracht und auch dort wieder abgeholt. Dieser Service kostet nicht extra. Hast du keine Lust auf Roller fahren, kannst du auch mit dem Tuk Tuk oder Taxi fahren oder dir für einen Tag einem privaten Fahrer mieten. 

SEHENSWÜRDIGKEITEN IN DER UMGEBUNG 

Wenn du in Mandalay bist, solltest du auf jeden Fall einen Tagesausflug in die Umgebung der ehemaligen Hauptstadt einplanen. Der einfachste und komfortabelste Weg diese zu erkunden ist definitiv mit einem privaten Fahrer. Wir haben einen Fahrer empfohlen bekommen und haben 45.000 Kyat (ca. 26 Euro) bezahlt. Mit Kyaw Kyaw haben wir Mingun, Sagain und Inwa besucht. 

MINGUN

Der erste Stopp unseres Ausfluges war das Dorf Mingun, welches sich nördlich von Mandalay befindet. Dort haben wir zunächst die Hsinbyume Pagode besucht, einfach nur beeindruckt das weiße Meisterwerk! Die wellenförmigen Terrassen machen die Pagode einzigartig. Damit sie auch jedes Jahr so scheint, wird sie jedes Jahr nach der Regenzeit neu gestrichen. Von oben hast du eine tolle Aussicht auf den Fluss und die Landschaft. 

Im Dorf Mingun begann König Bodawpaya im Jahr 1790 die größte Pagode der Welt, mit einer Höhe von 152 Metern, zu errichten. Der König schaffte es jedoch nicht die Manta Gyi Pagode bis zu seinem Tod fertigzustellen. Lediglich die 50 Meter hohe Basis der Pagode wurde errichtet. Ein starkes Erdbeben in 1838 führte dazu, dass die unfertige Pagode stark beschädigt wurde. Wie die Mingun-Pagode einmal aussehen sollte, zeigt die nahebei stehende fünf Meter hohe Pondawpaya-Pagode.

Auf der anderen Straßenseite kannst du die Ruinen zwei riesiger Löwen “Chines” besichtigen, welche ebenfalls stark vom Erdbeben beschädigt worden sind. Meiner Meinung nach, sieht das Hinterteil eher nach dem eines Elefanten aus … 

Zu der größten Pagode gehört natürlich auch eine große Glocke. Im Jahre 1808 ließ der König die 87 Tonnen schwere Mingun Glocke gießen. Mit ihren 3,7 Metern Höhe und einem Durchmesser von 5 Metern ist die zweitgrößte funktionierende Glocke der Welt. Damit der Glockengießer nicht noch ein weiteres solches Meisterwerk erbauen konnte, ließ König Bodawpaya ihn nach Vollendung umbringen. 

SAGAIN

Sagaing beherbergt etwas 600 Pagoden, Tempel und Klöster. Das Gebiet liegt auf einem Hügel und zählt zu den wichtigsten Orten in Myanmar. In Sagaing haben wir die U Min Thonze-Pagode und die Sun U Ponnya Shin Pagode besichtigt. Von den Pagoden hast du einen herrlichen Blick auf den Irrawaddy Fluss und die schöne Landschaft.

INWA 

Die ehemalige Hauptstadt des Königreichs Inwa (auch bekannt als Ava)  ist von Sagaing aus über den Irrawaddy-Fluss ausschließlich mit der Fähre zu erreichen. Die Überfahrt dauert nur wenige Minuten und kostet 1500 Kyat (ca. 1€) pro Person. 

In Inwa angekommen warten unzählige Pferdekutschen auf dich, die dich für 15.000 Kyat (ca. 10€) zu den Sehenswürdigkeiten bringen. Du kannst auch zu Fuß laufen, die Wege zwischen den Pagoden sind jedoch sehr weit.

Auf einem relativ weitläufigen Gebiet findest du hier eine Reihe an Klöstern und Pagoden. Einige davon sind schon sehr verfallen und verwittert, andere wiederum in besserem Zustand. Zudem ist die Landschaft sehr schön. Meine Highlights in Inwa waren das Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Kloster und die Yadana Hsmee Pagode.

U-BEIN-BRÜCKE

Die 1,2 km lange Teakholz Brücke befindet sich in Amarapura. Der Fußgängerübergang gilt als die längste und älteste Teakholzbrücke der Welt. Ein Besuch bei Sonnenuntergang ist sehr empfehlenswert, allerdings bist du besonders zu dieser Tageszeit mit einer Menge anderen Touristen dort. Wir haben uns ein Boot gemietete (15.000 Kyat, ca. 10€) und einen einzigartigen Blick auf die beeindruckende U-Bein-Brücke genossen und sind somit den Menschenmassen entflohen. Zwar gibt es auch andere Boote, aber die Fahrer achten darauf, dass alle eine einwandfreie Sicht auf die Brücke haben. Wir konnten tolle Fotos schießen – der perfekte Abschluss für unseren Tagesausflug in die Umgebung Mandalays.

UNTERKUNFT IN MANDALAY 

Wir haben drei Nächte in dem gemütlichen Hotel by the Red Canal übernachtet und haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Das Hotel liegt sehr zentral und vor allem in der Nähe einiger Restaurants und nur wenige Minuten vom berühmten Mandalay-Palast entfernt.

Das Boutique-Hotel ist wie eine kleine Oase der Ruhe in der quirligen Stadt. Ein kleiner Pool mit ein Paar Liegen laden zum Entspannen ein. Hier werden am Nachmittag kostenfreier Tee und Gebäck und am Abend kostenfreie Cocktails serviert. Eine tolle Möglichkeit, mit den anderen Gästen in Kontakt zu kommen. 

Das hoteleigene Restaurant Spice Garden ist das einzige indisch-myanmarische Restaurant in Mandalay. Hier wird eine große Auswahl an Geflügel, Meeresfrüchten und vegetarischen Speisen in ruhiger Atmosphäre serviert. Das Frühstück verfügt über eine Auswahl an Früchten, Brot, asiatischen Speisen, Müsli, Eierspeisen, süßem Gebäck, frischem French Toast und Crêpes. Dazu gibt es frischen Kaffee, Saft und Tee.       

Spa und Fitness: Was gibt es Schöneres, als sich nach einem erlebnisreichen Tag in Mandalay mit einer Massage verwöhnen zu lassen? Die Inneneinrichtung des Prana Spas ist inspiriert von der traditionellen Bauweise ländlicher Dörfer in Myanmar, wo die Innenräume der Gebäude auch im Sommer eine angenehme Temperatur haben. Zudem verfügt das Hotel by the Red Canal über ein Fitnesstudio, wo du dich auspowern kannst.   

Die Zimmer: Das Hotel verfügt über 25 Zimmer in 4 Kategorien, welche nach den vier wichtigsten ethnischen Gruppen in Myanmar benannt und auch demnach eingerichtet sind: Chin, Kachin, Rakhine und Shan. Alle Zimmer sind mit schönen Holzverzierungen dekoriert, sehr sauber, gemütlich und ruhig. 

FAZIT ZU MANDALAY 

Die Stadt ist zwar sehr groß und wuselig, jedoch super spannend! Wenn du für deinen Aufenthalt 2-3 Tage einplanst, schaffst du es auf jeden Fall alles zu sehen. 

Mandalay: Tipps, Sehenswürdigkeiten & Ausflüge

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]]> 1602 LIVING IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2019/09/10/living-irrawaddy-dolphin/ Tue, 10 Sep 2019 15:40:52 +0000 https://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1567 The Irrawaddy River is home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, found just north of Mandalay. What’s unique about Burma’s (Myanmar) Irrawaddy dolphins is their relationship with local fishermen. Dolphins and fishermen communicate and fish together, a practice called “cooperative fishing”–a unique phenomenon found in only two other places in the world. Taking this Irrawaddy Dolphin Watching trip in the hottest month in Myanmar turned out to be a great idea. As a group of 4 we opted for the 2 days/ 1 night trip and enjoyed the cooling breeze and beautiful scenery as we slowly made our way up the river. What is an Irrawaddy Dolphin? Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are an oceanic dolphin named after the Irrawaddy (Ayeyawaddy) River and are one of the world’s five species of dolphins that live in rivers. They have a grey body, a blunt forehead and nose, unlike the other oceanic dolphins, and can live up to 50 years. They use echolocation (sound) to hunt fish and communicate together. Irrawaddy dolphins are endangered and have an estimated total population of 7,100. They are found in only three rivers today, and there are less than 70 individuals left in the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, […]

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]]> The Irrawaddy River is home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, found just north of Mandalay. What’s unique about Burma’s (Myanmar) Irrawaddy dolphins is their relationship with local fishermen. Dolphins and fishermen communicate and fish together, a practice called “cooperative fishing”–a unique phenomenon found in only two other places in the world.

Taking this Irrawaddy Dolphin Watching trip in the hottest month in Myanmar turned out to be a great idea. As a group of 4 we opted for the 2 days/ 1 night trip and enjoyed the cooling breeze and beautiful scenery as we slowly made our way up the river.

What is an Irrawaddy Dolphin?

Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are an oceanic dolphin named after the Irrawaddy (Ayeyawaddy) River and are one of the world’s five species of dolphins that live in rivers. They have a grey body, a blunt forehead and nose, unlike the other oceanic dolphins, and can live up to 50 years. They use echolocation (sound) to hunt fish and communicate together. Irrawaddy dolphins are endangered and have an estimated total population of 7,100. They are found in only three rivers today, and there are less than 70 individuals left in the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, where they are critically endangered.

What’s endangering Irrawaddy Dolphins?

• Shock by electrofishing
• Entanglement in gill nets or drift nets put across the river
• Lack of food as a result of over-fishing
• Pollution from mining and other industry
• Noise disturbance from large boats
• Less habitat from soil erosion

What is cooperative fishing?

Communication via calls and signals is made by both dolphins and fishermen, with the dolphins rearing schools of fish towards the cast net fishing boats and signalling to the fishermen to throw their nets when the fish near close to the boat. Only a handful of fishermen still practice cooperative fishing with dolphins these days. Communicating with dolphins and coordinating the throw with their signals takes years of skill and trust building with dolphins. The tradition is dying, as modern fishing practices and economics take over. Illegal electrofishing is also breaking down the trust between dolphins and fishermen, as dolphins are sometimes shocked and killed.

Ayeyawady Dolphin Protected Area

Myanmar’s Ayeyawady Dolphin Protected Area is the only place where you can see both Irrawaddy dolphins and the cooperative fishing tradition. It was the country’s first aquatic protected area, established in 2005, stretches for 74 km and has approximately 25 dolphins in the area. It is best visited from Mandalay on an overnight boat trip for 2 or 3 days in order to maximise your chances of spotting dolphins and having ample time to witness cooperative fishing in action. There are seven cooperative fishing villages that can be visited along the way that still maintain traditional culture, as well as other attractions such the 126 species of birds of the Upper Ayeyawaddy.

How Your Visit Helps

• Generates income for cooperative fishermen and their families
• Creates incentives for dolphin protection
• Raises awareness to protect dolphins & cooperative fishing
• Proceeds from the project’s revenue (5%) and donations by visitors help with community development

Spending 2 days 1 night on the river with Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project was the best decision we made in Mandalay. The most amazing thing about this trip was not only seeing dolphins, but also learning about the unique relationship between local fishermen and dolphins. Cooperative fishing with wild dolphins doesn’t exist anywhere on earth but this part of the Irrawaddy River. One of the fishermen even told us a beautiful folktale about their relationship with dolphins.

Another thing we really enjoyed on this trip is we got to interact with the villagers. They showed us how to apply thanaka, how to wear longyi (traditional men’s sarong), how to throw a net, etc. It was a lot of fun! Food (cooked by the villagers) was very good and vegetarian friendly.

The moments on the boat from village to village were very relaxing too. I would love to try it again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a very authentic experience interested in getting to know life in rural Myanmar.

Your visit helps raise awareness for dolphin protection and generates income for local fishermen to continue their practice of cooperative fishing with dolphins. This is a social business. They are neither an NGO nor a strictly for-profit company.They use business to create benefits for communities and conservation. This project is an initiative of Living Irrawaddy Travel, a small local travel company.The Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project is an initiative of Living Irrawaddy Travel and works with 6 communities to help them develop and market community-based ecotourism.

For your visit, you can get more detail information at info@hotelredcanal.com.

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]]> 1567 Mandalay “Walking Thingyan” to Ramp up Mandalay Tourism https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2019/04/06/mandalay-walking-thingyan-to-ramp-up-mandalay-tourism/ Sat, 06 Apr 2019 07:28:14 +0000 https://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1492 Thingyan, or the Buddhist New Year festival, is the most celebrated event in the country. It usually occurs in the middle of April and lasts for four or five days, culminating in the New Year according to the Myanmar calendar. For the duration of the celebration, people spray or douse each other with water on the streets. The centre of this year’s celebration will be around the Mandalay moat and city walls. Those who want to erect water-spraying pavilions around the moat, where they can sell tickets to revellers, can participate in the bidding supervised by the city. Mandalay have introduced walking water splash, rural Thingyan night market, and Pyidaungsu Thingyan for this year “Walking Thingyan” on 26th street has attracted revelers this year, making the festival more attractive than previous years.The he Mandalay City Development Committee is going to try to ramp up travel and tourism in Mandalay by celebrating this year’s water festival with Mandalay Walking Thingyan and Countryside Thingyan Night Market. The aim is to elevate tourism in Mandalay ,would like all tourists to come here during Thingyan festival and like to arrange trips for them to visit our three ancient cities Bagan, Innwa and Amarapura before […]

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]]> Thingyan, or the Buddhist New Year festival, is the most celebrated event in the country. It usually occurs in the middle of April and lasts for four or five days, culminating in the New Year according to the Myanmar calendar. For the duration of the celebration, people spray or douse each other with water on the streets.

The centre of this year’s celebration will be around the Mandalay moat and city walls.
Those who want to erect water-spraying pavilions around the moat, where they can sell tickets to revellers, can participate in the bidding supervised by the city.

Mandalay have introduced walking water splash, rural Thingyan night market, and Pyidaungsu Thingyan for this year
“Walking Thingyan” on 26th street has attracted revelers this year, making the festival more attractive than previous years.The he Mandalay City Development Committee is going to try to ramp up travel and tourism in Mandalay by celebrating this year’s water festival with Mandalay Walking Thingyan and Countryside Thingyan Night Market.

The aim is to elevate tourism in Mandalay ,would like all tourists to come here during Thingyan festival and like to arrange trips for them to visit our three ancient cities Bagan, Innwa and Amarapura before they participate in the festival.

To attract tourists and visitors, the MCDC has arranged the Countryside Thingyan Night Market to take place between 19th street and 23th street, at the eastern palace moat. The MCDC initially planned to allow building pandals from 12nd street to 20th street and opening stalls both day and night on 66th street for up to 450 feet at the 26th street at the eastern moat.

Just like last year, the walk way will be located at the southern moat along 26th street between 66th street and 78th street. The Union of Myanmar Travel Association will be given an area for the festival between 66th street and 69th street on the 26th street.

What is the meaning behind throwing water ?

A festival celebrated since 9th century, or the first Burmese Empire before the spread of Theravada Buddhism in the empire. It is one of the ancient (either Brahmanic or early Verdic Hindi) beliefs or practices to dive in the water or river to cleanse the soul spiritually. The main reason of pouring water on each other during Thingyan derives from such practices, to clean the soul from all bad deeds of the previous year and to start a new year with fresh soul and body. April being one of the hottest months in Myanmar, people have fun pouring water on each other for 4 straight days under the sun with sweet smile surprisingly without getting sick.
If you plan to take part in the water festival in Myanmar, here are a few useful tips that you should be aware or prepared of:

1. Expect to get wet : At the Thingyan Festival, water is thrown at you from all kind of sources and all possible ways i.e. tin cans, bowls, watering pipes to fire hoses. Regardless of who/what you are, what you are doing or wearing, you will be poured and get wet from head to toe. So be prepared to have fun while getting drowned under big fire hose as you will not be able to escape from it.

2. Embrace the madness : This is the time of the year where the whole country celebrates. A party that last for three days and a party at a size of a town. The main areas of the festival will be an absolute riot. These ‘pandals’, temporary raised stages erected on main roads are usually furnished with high powered water jets with which the occupants proceed to hose anyone and anything that passes by. The Burmese pile themselves into jeeps, pick up trucks and cars, some even with the doors missing, packing as many people into and onto a vehicle as possible. They then tour the city ‘visiting’ each pandal with the apparent intention of just getting absolutely soaked.

3. Who are spared from throwing water : A few people gets special permission not to get wet during Thingyan and these are monks, nuns, pregnant ladies and those taking Sabbath (who are wearing white blouse/shirt and brown longyis). So please make sure to avoid throwing water to these people in whatever condition you may be in even though it is very unlikely for these people to come out and play water.

4. Water proof Accessories : You can buy waterproof folders for your phone and other belongings just about everywhere. Make sure you test them before you trust them though.

5. What to wear : Wear something that will weather the wetness. Do not wear jeans as it would get really heavy on you. Do not wear flip flops nor heels but sandals with adjustable straps or light shoes. Flip flops will be washed down into the drains and it is very difficult to walk in shoes going up the pandals, cars or evening walking the congested long roads.

Here are the lists of accessories and clothes you might need :
– Sunglasses (however, you are likely to get yours lost or broken within 4 days.)
– A Hat (optional)
– Sun block and Aloe Gel to sooth the sunburn at night. (Under a hot sun, it is very easy for foreigners to get sunburn.) All make up accessories should be water proof, otherwise you will look like a panda.
6. Do not bring or wear anything valuable : It is very likely that you will have fun, dancing and drinking and throwing water the whole day that it is very easy to lose valuable items such as sunglasses, earrings, rings, necklaces and etc.

7. Book Accommodation : Things can book out a fair way in advance, especially because many Burmese people return to the big cities for the celebration. Book ahead! Lot of travelers are visiting their home towns or travelling elsewhere to celebrate Thingyan. Place like Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle and beaches tend to be fully booked with people coming in for the celebrations. It is very normal for beach hotels to double the room price as well.

8. Pre-Organise Transport : One thing we discovered is that transport rarely runs a few days before, during the festival and a couple of days after. Flights will be full and ticket price are expected to double. Reserve your tickets early. Trains rarely book out as you can only buy tickets up to one day beforehand. This could be a good option if buses and flights are full.

9. Not a time for business : Thingyan is not a time to do business nor entertain your business partners. All the offices and enterprises close down for five to ten days of Thingyan and nobody has a thought for business. It is also very likely for almost all shops to be closed on the 13th – 17th of April. Thingyan is time to wash away not only sins but also problems and worries of everyday life.

10. Yangon and Mandalay : The biggest celebrations are at Yangon and Mandalay. The celebrations at Yangon, befitting a port and capital city have a modern flavour. Those at Mandalay, the country’s cultural centre, are more traditional. Since the celebrations are held over three or four days depending on the calendar of that particular year, you can cover both cities.

11. After Thingyan effects : Hangovers, sore throat from screaming and shouting are very common. Also it is advisable to buy insurance for injuries and accidents as a great amount of alcohol consumption often leads to accidents and fights even though it may not be serious.

As well as the water fun, there is also traditional singing and dancing in the evenings featuring the traditional Thingyan dance at night. After 3 days straight celebrating water festival, on 1st day of Buddhist calendar year, locals perform meritorious deeds at monasteries, pagodas, elderly homes and orphanages e.g. washing the elderly’s hair and letting loose fish and cattle.

Of course there are people who celebrate the new year by doing good deeds. Many people enter Thingyan meditation camps, some as a normal Sabbath keepers some as nuns and monks fasting and keeping the Eight Precepts or Ten Precepts and go to the monasteries and pagodas to offer alms-food.

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]]> 1492 Dormir en Mandalay, opinión del Hotel by the Red Canal https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2019/01/24/dormir-en-mandalay-opinion-del-hotel-by-the-red-canal/ Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:02:56 +0000 http://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1443 Mandalay, la antigua capital imperial de Myanmar, es uno de los grandes atractivos del país y parada obligada para todos aquellos que viajamos a la antigua Birmania. No solo merece la pena visitar la propia ciudad, sino también, o incluso más, las antiguas capitales imperiales que se encuentran en los alrededores. Para poder disfrutar de todo esto, nosotros recomendamos pasar un mínimo de dos noches en la ciudad. Mandalay es una ciudad grande y con una gran oferta de alojamientos que cubre todos los presupuestos y necesidades de los diferentes tipos de viajeros. Una de las ventajas de viajar al sudeste asiático es que el alojamiento suele ser bastante barato; si lo comparas con España, por ejemplo. Puedes alojarte en hoteles muy buenos o incluso de lujo, por el mismo precio que pagarías en España por uno normalito. En el caso de Mandalay, buscábamos un hotel que se encontrase más o menos cerca de ciertos lugares que queríamos visitar, como el Palacio imperial. Nuestra intención era poder movernos por nuestra cuenta con una bici. Por supuesto, sin salirnos de nuestro presupuesto, queríamos un hotel que fuese de calidad y que tuviese buenas valoraciones, tranquilo y si podía ser con piscina, pues mejor […]

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Mandalay, la antigua capital imperial de Myanmar, es uno de los grandes atractivos del país y parada obligada para todos aquellos que viajamos a la antigua Birmania. No solo merece la pena visitar la propia ciudad, sino también, o incluso más, las antiguas capitales imperiales que se encuentran en los alrededores. Para poder disfrutar de todo esto, nosotros recomendamos pasar un mínimo de dos noches en la ciudad.

Mandalay es una ciudad grande y con una gran oferta de alojamientos que cubre todos los presupuestos y necesidades de los diferentes tipos de viajeros. Una de las ventajas de viajar al sudeste asiático es que el alojamiento suele ser bastante barato; si lo comparas con España, por ejemplo. Puedes alojarte en hoteles muy buenos o incluso de lujo, por el mismo precio que pagarías en España por uno normalito. En el caso de Mandalay, buscábamos un hotel que se encontrase más o menos cerca de ciertos lugares que queríamos visitar, como el Palacio imperial. Nuestra intención era poder movernos por nuestra cuenta con una bici. Por supuesto, sin salirnos de nuestro presupuesto, queríamos un hotel que fuese de calidad y que tuviese buenas valoraciones, tranquilo y si podía ser con piscina, pues mejor que mejor.

Tras mucho buscar y darle vueltas, dimos con el Hotel by the Red Canal, uno de los cinco mejores hoteles de Mandalay según Tripadvisor. Además de tener una muy buena ubicación para conocer la ciudad, es un lugar tranquilo, acogedor y con muy buenas críticas.

El hotel y las instalaciones

El Hotel by the Red Canal se encuentra cerca de la entrada del Palacio real de Mandalay; a unos 15 minutos si vas andando o a tan solo 5 con una de las bicis que te dan en el hotel (servicio gratuito). La ubicación es bastante buena, no solo por encontrarse en un lugar tranquilo, sino también por tener relativamente cerca los principales atractivos de la ciudad, como el Palacio real, el monasterio Shwenandaw o la pagoda Kuthodaw.

Una de las ventajas que vimos en el hotel fue su tamaño, relativamente pequeño, lo que implicaba que no hubiese muchos huéspedes y el trato fuese mucho más personalizado. El aspecto exterior del edificio se asemeja al de los palacios birmanos, con esas filigranas en madera tan típicas de estas latitudes. Otro aspecto que nos gustó fue que pese a tener un jardín pequeño estaba tremendamente cuidado. Combinaban a la perfección la vegetación, con ciertos adornos y un bonito canal artificial que había que cruzar para entrar a la zona de las habitaciones. En su conjunto da un ambiente de paz y tranquilidad que se necesita tras un día visitando la ciudad.

El interior de hotel es de madera de teca y decorado con un gusto exquisito. Eso no significa que esté desvinculado de la sostenibilidad ya que se ha utilizado madera eco-friendly y productos reciclados en su construcción. Aparte de esto, hay un montón de detalles que destacan el folclore tradicional de Myanmar como figuras, cuadros o esculturas, dándolo un aspecto espectacular al interior.

Aparte edificio principal donde se encuentran las habitaciones hay otra pequeño edificio en la que se ubica el restaurante donde se sirven los desayunos, comidas y cenas. Ya os hablaré de él más tarde, solo deciros que es uno de los mejores de toda la ciudad y el precio no es caro. En el edificio principal está el Canopy bar, en el que se sirven cócteles y otras bebidas, pero en el que dispones todo el día de agua con frutas, café, té y dulces de manera gratuita. Uno de esos detalles que siempre se agradecen.

 

El hotel cuenta con un piscina para relajarse en los días de calor y en la que todos los días por la tarde hay una happy hour gratuita en la que sirven unos riquísimos cócteles (con o sin alcohol), junto a unos aperitivos, acompañados de una relajante música birmana de fondo. Para nosotros, detalles como estos hacen ganar muchos puntos a un alojamiento.

 

También se dispone de un pequeño gimnasio para aquellos que no pueden vivir un día sin hacer sus rutinas. Hay otra sala, llamada e-hub, en la que se encuentran libros de diferentes temáticas, así como ordenadores con conexión a internet e impresoras para hacer cualquier trámite que necesites. Por supuesto, no solo dispones de internet en esta sala, el hotel tiene conexión gratuita y de muy buena calidad.

La habitación

Hay cuatro tipos de habitaciones que toman el nombre de las principales etnias de Myanmar: Chin, Shan, Kachin y Rakhine. Cada una tiene sus peculiaridades y precios, aunque de la que os vamos a hablar es de la Rakhine, en la que nos alojamos. Es una habitación amplia, con una cama enorme en la que descasamos de lujo durante las dos noches que pasamos allí. También cuenta con una zona que hace las veces de sala de estar, compuesta por un sofá y una mesita. Por cierto, en esa mesa nos dejaron un bonito detalle, un bol de fruta fresca y una cariñosa nota de bienvenida.

La decoración sigue la línea del resto del hotel, con la madera como auténtica protagonista de la habitación. Con un estilo con cierto carácter tradicional birmano, pero que mira hacia acabados más modernos, consiguen que la estancia se convierta en un lugar realmente acogedor. Dentro de ese estilo, acatado con tan buen gusto, destacan ciertos detalles en la habitación como tallas en las maderas de los muebles, adornos o cuadros. El único pero que le pondría a nuestra habitación sería las vistas, que daban al patio de un negocio. Hubiésemos preferido tener vistas al jardín, como es el caso de otras habitaciones.

En cuanto al mobiliario, la habitación dispone de un armario en el que se encuentra la caja fuerte y un par de batines por si queremos ponernos más cómodos. También hay un hervidor eléctrico para que nos podamos preparar un café o té, un soporte para maletas y a continuación de éste, un mueble con la televisión. Aunque si soy sincero, creo que no la encendimos ningún día. Flanqueando la cama hay una mesita de noche a uno de los lados y una mesa de despacho al otro.

La limpieza de la habitación es impecable, como en pocos sitios que hayamos visto. Por otro parte, la wifi funciona a gran velocidad tanto en la habitación, como en el resto del hotel.

El baño

El baño está compuesto por tres piezas: bañera, lavabo e inodoro. Al igual que en el resto del hotel, la madera toma un gran protagonismo, con un suelo compuesto principalmente por madera de teca. Esto es algo que no recordamos haber visto en otro hotel y que nos gustó mucho. En cuanto a las dimensiones del baño, no son muy grandes, pero el gusto con el que está decorado es exquisito. Hay ciertos adornos, que junto los amenities, aportan cierto carácter al baño. También disponemos de un secador de pelo y en lo referente a la limpieza, sigue la línea de la habitación, impecable.

El personal

El personal del Hotel by the Red Canal es de 10, no le podríamos poner ni un solo pero. Son amables, serviciales, simpáticos, efectivos y siempre te reciben con una gran sonrisa. Además, tienen un buen nivel de inglés, haciendo que sea muy sencillo que entiendan tus solicitudes.

A tu llegada al hotel te reciben con un zumo de frutas natural y una toallita húmeda para refrescarte, pero no solo lo hacen la primera vez, sino todos los días. Que te reciban así de bien después de llegar cansado de un día de visitas, no tiene precio. Por otro lado, también se pueden encargar de gestionarte el transporte al aeropuerto, un taxi para visitar la ciudad, el alquiler de una moto o cualquier otra cosa que necesites. Lo dicho, un personal muy competente.

El restaurante

El hotel cuenta con un restaurante en el que se sirven desayunos, comidas y cenas. El Spice Garden, nombre que recibe el local, es uno de los mejores restaurantes de toda la ciudad (puesto número 6 de 244 según TripAdvisor) y el considerado mejor lugar para comer comida india en Mandalay, aunque también sirven una selección de platos occidentales y de otros países asiáticos. Estas clasificaciones pueden parecer sólo números, pero nosotros, que lo hemos probado, os podemos asegurar que tienen ese puesto bien merecido. Fue uno de los mejores lugares en los que comimos en todo el viaje, sino el mejor.

Como os comentaba antes, el restaurante se encuentra en un edificio diferente al de las habitaciones, justo al lado de la piscina. Dependiendo de lo que te apetezca, puedes optar por comer en la terraza, con vistas al jardín y la piscina, o en el interior acristalado. Si coméis dentro, en la plata baja, podréis ver al chef preparar los platos y ver como utiliza el horno tandoor.

El desayuno es de tipo buffet y está incluido en el precio de la habitación. Es bastante completo y tienes opciones de platos fríos o calientes. Dispones de fruta variada, dulces, pastas, panes, pasteles, mermeladas, cereales, semillas, huevos cocidos, carnes y platos preparados calientes, café, té, zumos (te pueden hacer detox al momento)… Además de la amplia variedad que tienes en el buffet, puedes pedir que te hagan en el momento unos huevos con bacon, una tortilla o algo similar para el desayuno. Resumiendo, un desayuno bien completo, variado y con buenos productos.

Contando con uno de los mejores restaurantes de la ciudad, no desaprovechamos la oportunidad de cenar en el hotel las dos noches que pasamos en Mandalay. Como os comentaba antes, es un restaurante especializado en comida india, así que aproveché la ocasión para probar varios de los platos más típicos de esta gastronomía, como pollo tikka masala con un naan (10 USD, unos 8,80 €) o pollo tandoori (12 USD, 10,50 € al cambio). Ambos estaban deliciosos, lo mejor que probé en todo el viaje, en especial el tikka masala. También pedimos otros platos más internacionales como una ensalada de pollo y aguacate deliciosa por (8 USD, unos 7 €), espagueti a la carbonara (7 USD, 6,20 € aproximadamente) o una hamburguesa completa con patatas fritas (5 USD, 5,40 € al cambio). En lo referente a bebidas, tienen una amplia carta. Nosotros optamos por tomar unos lassies (bebida de yogurt típica de la India) y unos batidos de frutas por un precio que rondaba los 2-4 USD (de 1,75 € a 3,50 € aproximadamente). Aunque sí que es cierto que el precio es superior a la media de los restaurantes de la ciudad, la calidad está muy por encima y merece la pena cenar aquí; incluso aunque no te alojes en el hotel.

El spa Prana

Otro de los servicios que ofrece el hotel es un spa, el Spa Prana. Está ubicado debajo de la terraza del restaurante en un lugar similar a una gruta. La ambientación y decoración del lugar es espectacular, súper acogedora y cálida. El diseño se inspira en los métodos tradicionales que se usaba en las zonas rurales del país, con suelo de piedra y paredes acabadas en una mezcla barro mezclado con cascarillas de arroz y paja. Este método se usa para mantener el interior de las casas a una temperatura agradable, incluso en verano.

Tuvimos la suerte de recibir una sesión de masaje completa de una hora. Nos recibieron con un té caliente, que nos tomamos relajados en unos sofás de mimbre; el preludio perfecto de lo que nos esperaba. Tras cambiarnos y tumbarnos en las camillas comenzó nuestro viaje al paraíso. Menudas manos tiene el personal del hotel, tras la hora de masajes, salimos de allí como si estuviésemos flotando. Os recomendamos que al menos uno de los días, en el que acabéis agotados, pidáis cita para el spa. Saldréis de allí como nuevos.

Conclusión

Nuestra recomendación es que paséis al menos dos noches en Mandalay, uno para visitar la ciudad y otro para conocer los alrededores. El Hotel by the Red Canal es un hotel boutique de grandísima calidad, un remanso de paz en el caos de la ciudad. Si volviésemos a ir para allá, repetiríamos sin lugar a dudas, nos trataron genial y estuvimos súper a gusto durante nuestra estancia. Lo recomendamos al 100%.

Lo bueno: la decoración, la tranquilidad, el trato del personal, el restaurante, la piscina, el spa, detalles como la happy hour, bicis gratis, la comodidad de la cama, ubicación…

Lo malo: lo único que pondríamos como inconvenientes serían las vistas desde nuestra habitación y que el precio es ligeramente alto, para los estándares birmanos, si vas con un presupuesto ajustado. Eso sí, vale cada euro que pagas por la noche allí, una relación calidad-precio buenísima. En España sería muy difícil o imposible encontrar un hotel así por ese precio.

Datos prácticos

Nombre: Hotel by the Red Canal.

Dirección: 417 Corner of 63rd & 22nd Streets, 05000 Mandalay, Myanmar.

Si quieres ver el mapa en otra pestaña haz clic aquí.

Precio: 103 € por una habitación doble con desayuno incluido.

Wifi: Sí, gratuita.

Desayuno: desayuno gratuito tipo buffet.

Servicios: Internet gratuito, restaurante, bar, piscina, spa, gimnasio, alquiler de bicis gratuito, lavandería, reservas de tours desde el propio alojamiento…

Reservas: se puede realizar la reserva en portales conocidos como Booking.

Todo lo que he comentado en este artículo es fruto de nuestra experiencia personal y no ha sido distorsionado en ningún momento por nadie ajeno al blog, ni por intereses de terceros. Si os ha gustado la entrada compartidla en las redes sociales y dejadnos un comentario y si no os ha gustado pues haced lo mismo ;).

 

Índice:

Preparativos e información útil
Alojamiento

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]]> 1443 Hotel by the Red Canal Mandalay, Myanmar https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2018/12/13/hotel-red-canal-mandalay-myanmar/ Thu, 13 Dec 2018 14:32:41 +0000 http://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1375 So after Bagan in Myanmar (Burma), I went to Mandalay. There are lots of hotels in Mandalay from the budget ones, mid-tier to the boutique luxury ones. Choices are unlimited. So, after some research, I chose to stay at the hotel by the Red Canal. Online it looked great and it seemed to be closer to the things I wanted to do and see in Mandalay.   Hotel by the Red Canal Mandalay, Myanmar Contents Hotel by the Red Canal Mandalay, Myanmar Hotel by the Red Canal Mandalay, Myanmar Check-in Room Afternoon Tea Breakfast Swimming Pool Massage & Spa Facilities and Services Final Thoughts Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera Accessories For Canon GX7 Mark || GoPro HERO4 Silver Accessories For Go Pro Hero 4 SanDisk 64 GB Memory Cards All-in-One Memory Card Reader Now, let’s start with my experience staying at the hotel by the Red Canal. Address: No 417, Corner of 63rd & 22nd Street, Aung Myay Tha Zan Township, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) Room Type: Rakhine Total Room: 25 How to get here: It takes approx 1 hour by taxi from Mandalay International Airport, 4 hours by minivan from Bagan, and 25 mins by taxi from […]

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]]> So after Bagan in Myanmar (Burma), I went to Mandalay. There are lots of hotels in Mandalay from the budget ones, mid-tier to the boutique luxury ones. Choices are unlimited. So, after some research, I chose to stay at the hotel by the Red Canal. Online it looked great and it seemed to be closer to the things I wanted to do and see in Mandalay.

 

Hotel by the Red Canal Mandalay, Myanmar

Contents

Now, let’s start with my experience staying at the hotel by the Red Canal.
Address: No 417, Corner of 63rd & 22nd Street, Aung Myay Tha Zan Township, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Room Type: Rakhine
Total Room: 25
How to get here: It takes approx 1 hour by taxi from Mandalay International Airport, 4 hours by minivan from Bagan, and 25 mins by taxi from Mandalay bus stop. I recommend installing Grab app to get a taxi where price is set before you start your journey to the hotel.

Read Ultimate Myanmar travel guide here. Everything you need to know before you go, from visa to wifi and more.

Hotel by the Red Canal Mandalay, Myanmar

Check-in

Because I had a door-to-door service included in my bus ticket from Bagan; I was dropped off right at the door of the hotel by the Red Canal. It was scoring heat around 1:30 pm but it was refreshing to be welcomed with a cold towel and delicious lemongrass and rosella water. A few moments later I was sitting at the check-in desk. Check-in was quick and staff were organised and English speaking.

 

Room

Hotel by the Red Canal offers 25 uniquely designed rooms that are named under 4 categories. The cultural adornments of the 4 major ethnic groups in Myanmar- Chin, Kachin, Rakhine and Shan. My room was Rakhine. It came with the beautiful brass bed with clean sheets, fruit basket, FREE WIFI, TV with a selection of over 100 satellite channels, air conditioning, hot and cold bath/shower, coffee & tea making facility. I liked that my room also had a desk where I could work and sofa to relax, alarm clock, room safe and room service. Also, enjoy the soft music playing on the corridors of the hotel which I initially thought was strange but I grew to like it by the time I was leaving.

 

Afternoon Tea

After settling into my room, it was just the right time for complimentary afternoon tea. Every day it runs from 2-4pm on first-floor canopy bar. The hotel offers a free flow of coffee, tea, some snacks and fruits. You can also sit outside on the balcony and enjoy the afternoon tea. In case you missed the afternoon tea, you can always enjoy a drinking water full of apple slices, fruits and herbs that sits on the canopy bar 24/7.

After afternoon tea, I went out to town for a stroll and tried some local street food. Read about it here.

If you are feeling lazy to go around, you can try delicious Indian food at the in-house spice garden restaurant. Hotel states they are the only Indian-Myanmar fine dining restaurant in Mandalay.

 

Breakfast

Next morning, it was breakfast time. It was a buffet-style continental breakfast, fresh juice, tea/coffee, freshly baked goodies as well as Asian dishes. On the first morning, I had some baked goodies, fried rice, eggs, fruits and coffee. The second morning, as you can see in the picture above, I made myself a super good bowl full of good healthy things. It was a great way to start the morning in this beautiful place.

 

Swimming Pool

Walking around and exploring Mandalay all day in the heat, I was exhausted and sweaty. It was a perfect way to end the day relaxing by the pool. Though it is smaller in size, it was surrounded by lush tropical greenery and calming water features. And because it is around the city centre, like just 10 mins from Mandalay Palace and other attractions. It isn’t a hassle to pop back in the hotel for a dip and go out again if you wish. Such a great spot in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Mandalay.

 

Massage & Spa

I was tired after hiking to and back Mandalay Hill, and my legs were in need of some TLC. I was glad to find out I could have the massage at the hotel. It is named Prana Spa. Initially, I thought it would be somewhere inside the hotel building but was pleasantly surprised to find out, it is actually underground. It gave the feeling of a private cave and exclusive sanctuary. The massage was a therapeutic experience and interior looked like a rural house in Myanmar. It opens daily, just inform the staff 30 mins prior and enjoy your pampering.

 

Facilities and Services

What I liked the most in regards to facilities and services was the E-hub. It is a quiet business lounge where you can work without anyone bothering you. WIFI is free and strong and if you forget to bring your essentials like Laptop, it also has a few laptops that you can use. There is a little reading corner too where you can borrow books for your stay or donate your own if you like.

Another great facility in the hotel by the Red Canal is the gym. It was equipped with the basic pieces of gym equipment and not crowded at all. So, it was like your own home gym! Something worth mentioning in terms of services is Pets aren’t allowed. But the evening happy hour was a nice touch to the evening. You can enjoy complimentary snacks and buy 1 get 1 free drinks. There was also a local lady playing the Myanmar musical instrument which was super cool!

 

Final Thoughts

All that to say, I found the hotel by the Red Canal fully equipped with modern facilities and services. If you are looking for a hotel in Mandalay that is closer to the attractions, has a swimming pool, spa, business lounge, and good restaurant. You have hit the jackpot! Hope this review was of help and lmk in comments if you have any questions or your experience staying here.

Thank you for an amazing stay hotel by the Red Canal and all the staffs who work hard day in- day out. You guys rock!
I hope to be back soon!

Check out the “Myanmar” stories on Instagram.

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What I used to take these photos

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera

This has been my favourite Camera so far. I love how my pictures come out crisp and colourful. It also has a screen which is useful when vblogging. You can check out what I meant on my Instagram which is here.

Accessories For Canon GX7 Mark ||

Check it out here

GoPro HERO4 Silver

This is the good old Go pro that I take with me everywhere. I recommend it because it is small, lightweight and waterproof. I have had made many memories with this trusted item and looking forward to more.

Accessories For Go Pro Hero 4

Check it out here

SanDisk 64 GB Memory Cards

I have been using SanDisk since my first camera which was back in 2009. They build quality memory cards. I recommend getting at least two, just in case something happens to one of them.

All-in-One Memory Card Reader

Do you think it’s a hassle of plugging your camera into your computer? This memory card reader will fit cards of all sizes and make an easy transfer to your computer. The reader supports all popular SD memory card formats, including SD™/SDHC™/SDXC™ memory cards, UHS-I SDHC/SDXC memory cards, and microSDHC™/microSDXC™ memory cards. It is also compatible with the latest UDMA 7-enabled CompactFlash cards.

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]]> 1375 Thailand and Myanmar a ultimate guide, 20 days round trip, temples, mountains, jungle and beaches https://www.hotelredcanal.com/2018/12/10/thailand-myanmar-ultimate-guide-20-days-round-trip-temples-mountains-jungle-beaches/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:29:06 +0000 http://www.hotelredcanal.com/?p=1343 Thursday afternoon we are on our way to Schiphol airport Amsterdam from where we fly directly to Bangkok with KLM. In the Netherlands it is really cold autumn weather. We feel lucky returning to the fair warm temperatures and the great food, my wife has been nervous for weeks to see her family again, even though it is short because of all our travel plans. Ancient temples, pristine jungle areas, some of the world’s friendliest people, cheap beer, mountains and beaches this is the ultimate travel guide to Thailand and Myanmar Donderdagmiddag zijn we onderweg naar Schiphol vanwaar we met KLM direct naar Bangkok vliegen. In Nederland is het echt herfst weer we hebben er zin aan om de eerlijke warme temperaturen weer op te zoeken en het geweldige eten, mijn vrouw is al weken zenuwachtig om haar familie weer te kunnen zien al is het kort door al onze reisplannen. Oude tempels, ongerepte jungle gebieden, enkele van ‘s werelds vriendelijkste mensen, spotgoedkoop bier bergen en stranden dit is de ultieme reisgids naar Thailand Myanmar Jomtien / Pattaya After a flight of 11 hours, we arrive in Bangkok where we at our big surprise within an hour outside the terminal by our […]

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]]>

Tempels of Bagan Myanmar

Thursday afternoon we are on our way to Schiphol airport Amsterdam from where we fly directly to Bangkok with KLM.
In the Netherlands it is really cold autumn weather. We feel lucky returning to the fair warm temperatures and the great food, my wife has been nervous for weeks to see her family again, even though it is short because of all our travel plans. Ancient temples, pristine jungle areas, some of the world’s friendliest people, cheap beer, mountains and beaches this is the ultimate travel guide to Thailand and Myanmar
Donderdagmiddag zijn we onderweg naar Schiphol vanwaar we met KLM direct naar Bangkok vliegen. In Nederland is het echt herfst weer we hebben er zin aan om de eerlijke warme temperaturen weer op te zoeken en het geweldige eten, mijn vrouw is al weken zenuwachtig om haar familie weer te kunnen zien al is het kort door al onze reisplannen. Oude tempels, ongerepte jungle gebieden, enkele van ‘s werelds vriendelijkste mensen, spotgoedkoop bier bergen en stranden dit is de ultieme reisgids naar Thailand Myanmar

Mövenpick Siam Hotel Na Jomtien Pattaya

Jomtien / Pattaya
After a flight of 11 hours, we arrive in Bangkok where we at our big surprise within an hour outside the terminal by our rental car, after which we drove towards the coast an 1,5 hour ride over the highway to Pattaya/Jomtien
My wife enjoyed two plates of noodle soup and she was fully acclaimed and we were able to check in at our first hotel Movenpick Siam hotel Na Jomtien Pattaya We were assigned upgrade to a luxury suite on the 31st floor thanks for that, a large room with a whirlpool and a great view over the coast. After a dip in the pool and a beer, we decided to go to sleep for a few hours to get over the jet lag and to be able to go along with the Thai time a different with the Netherlands of six hours . In the evening we had a delicious Thai meal at the beach and fell asleep tired and satisfied.

Movenpick Siam hotel NaJomtien Thailand

Next morning a nice breakfast awaited us, this is indeed a five-star breakfast with so much choice and great attention to detail. ( In this hotel they try to not use any plastic) The hotel Movenpick NaJomtien have a big swimming pool,fitnes and spa and a clean beach where you can kayak or windsurf.After breakfast, we went kayaking for a bit and walked on the beach. In the afternoon we visited the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden a dinosaur park with a huge garden and many dinosaurs, busloads of tourists are brought here, for children and families an impressive park for us mwa I dont like what they do with elephants in that park. In the evening we received a gift from nature a great sunset by the pool, we drink some cocktails in the bar enjoyed dinner after which another day had flown by.

Floating market Pattaya

The next morning we visited the floating market of Pattaya a huge copy of the floating market near Bangkok, only for tourist but impresive enough for a visit and the food is great.

Baraquda Pattaya

After that it was time for otur next hotel Baraquda Pattaya in the center of the lively bustling city of Pattaya. A unique boutique hotel.The Baraquda hotel is part of the Mgallery collection hotels and everywhere you see the details inspired by here come back. We got lunch at the pool enjoying the sunset in the panorama bar, breakfast in bed we were treated like a Prince and Princess a great getaway right in the middle of the city within a 100 meters from the beach

Baraquda Pattaya

After breakfast we made some pictures at the new shopping center Terminal 21 inspired by an airport there are also two airplanes outside and the square is illuminated as a runway beautiful architecture here but the prices inside are more expensive then Europe, we drove back to Bangkok for our next destination Myanmar our first stop is Mandalay
Top list to do in Pattaya / Jomtien
  1. Walking street Pattaya
  2. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
  3. Pattaya floating market
  4. Enjoy the view of the city at Wat Phra Khao Yai
  5. Go snorkel at the island of Koh Larn
  6. Sure yourself and genit at Tiffany’s Cabaret
  7. Pattaya Elephants shelter camp
  8. Sun on the white beach of Ban Amphur
  9. Visit the wooden temple with a view over the sea Sanctuary Of Truth
  10. Shopping in the many shopping centers Central festival or Terminal 21
Jomtien/Pattaya
Na een vlucht van 11 uur komen we aan in Bangkok waar we tot onze grote verassing binnen een uur bij de huurauto stonden waarna we richting de kust reden in ogeveer 1,5 uur. Nadat Ho twee borden noodle soup naar binnen had gewerkt was ze helemaal geaclamatiseerd en konden we inchekken in ons eerste hotel Movenpick Pattaya NaJomtien. We kregen een luxe suite toegewezen op de 31 ste verdieping , grote kamer met whirpool en een geweldig uitzicht over de kust. Na een duik in het zwembad en een biertje besloten we nog een paar uur te gaan slapen om de jetlag te boven komen en gelijk met de Thaise tijd mee te kunnen. Savonds hebben we heerlijk gegeten aan het strand en vielen moe en voldaan in slaap. De volgende morgen wachte een lekker ontbijt op ons, dit is inderdaad een vijf sterren ontbijt met zoveel keuze en veel oog voor detail. ( in dit hotel proberen ze geen plastic te gebruiken) Na het ontbijt zijn we een stukje gaan kayakken en wat over het strand geslentert. Smiddags bezochten we het Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden een dinosourus park een groot park met je raad het al veel dinnosourussen, bus ladingen vol touristen worden hier naar toe gebracht voor kinderen en gezinnen een indrukwekkend park voor ons mwa ik hou er niet van wat ze hier met de olifanten doen. In de avond kregen we een kadootje van de natuur een geweldige zonsondergang bij het zwembad, we dronken wat cocktails in de bar genoten van het diner waarna er alweer een dag was voorbij gevlogen.
De volgende morgen bezochten we nog even de drijvende markt van Pattaya een grote copy van de drijvende markt in Bangkok helemaal gemaakt voor de toeristen ,indrukwekkend om te zien en het eten is er goed. Na de lunch was het tijd voor ons volgende hotel Baraquda Pattaya in het centrum van de levendige bruisende stad Pattaya. Een uniek boutique l. Het hotel maakt deel uit van de Mgallery collectie hotels en overal zie je de details inspired by her terug komen. We kregen lunch bij het zwembad genoten van de zonsondergang in de panorama bar, krgen ontbijt op bed kortom we werden behandeld als een Prins en Prinses.
Na het ontbij maakten we nog wat foto`s bij het nieuwe winkelcentrum Terminal 21 geinspireerd op een vliegveld er staan ook twee vliegtuigen buiten en het plein is verlicht als een landingsbaan mooie architectuur maar binnen is het duurder als in Europa.Erna reden we terug naar Bangkok voor onze volgende bestemming Myanmar in vogelvlucht onze eerste stop was Mandalay
Top list om te doen in Pattaya/Jomtien
  1. Feesten in Walking street Pattaya
  2. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
  3. Pattaya drijvende markt
  4. Geniet van het uitzicht over de stad bij Wat Phra Khao Yai
  5. Ga snorkelen bij het eiland Koh Larn
  6. Verbaas je zelf en genit bij Tiffany’s Cabaret
  7. Pattaya Olifanten opvang kamp
  8. Zonnen op het witte strand van Ban Amphur
  9. Bezoek de houten temple met uitzicht over de zee Sanctuary Of Truth
  10. Winkelen in de vele winkel centra Central festival of Terminal 21

Hsinbyume Pagoda

Mandalay Myanmar
After a flight of 1.5 hours we landed at Mandalay where we took a taxi to our hotel by the Red Canal. It was already dark and we could not see where we were driving , a lot of scooters drive without lighting they realy save some energy in Myanmar it was a miracle that the taxi could avoid them all over the sandy bumpy roads. Along the road we saw everywhere tents with bbq fires and people enjoy noodle soup and curries welcome in Myanmar.

hotel by the Red Canal

The Hotel by the Red Canal, with is classic look, is the most affordable boutique hotel of Mandalay, with the discerning traveler seeking design, comfort, top location and iservice. The boutique-style hotel is a combination of everything Myanmar has, with teak furniture and fixtures and accessories made of rattan, mother-of-pearl and other local materials.The Spice Garden serves the best North Indian cuisine and Myanmar specialties.
The next morning we were awake earlier by the first rays of sunshine through the window we had breakfast and walked out the street to visit some temples. What immediately stands out in Myanmar is the great contrast between rich and poor. We wandered around the market and walked towards our first temple the golden temple monastery the entrance fee we had to pay was 5000 kyat about 2.5 euro and gives you access to 5 temples.
The Golden Temple Monastery is quiet this time where not many tourists, we walked around a bit and it was not that special but nice to see and take some photos.
A 10 minutes walk farther lays the Kuthodow pagoda the world’s largest book, I had read about this temple a lot and saw many photos on social media, it was about 10:00 in the morning and remarkably quiet we walked around and took some pictures of the beautiful white pagodas.
Almost next to this temple, the Sanda Muni Paya is noticeable, the many pagodas are a beautiful photogenic whole ,here also a few tourists. When we walked out around 12:30 we saw about 10 vans arriving with tourists. I think they all do the same route here, so we were very lucky with this and a tip for you as the next visitors.
At the exit we met the same taxi driver as in the morning and decided to let us drive back to the hotel even if it was only a fifteen-minute walk. After Mandalay we did not have any transport and so we could check whether the driver could drive a bit and is reliable. We decided that he would pick us up again in the afternoon to watch the sunset at the U Bein bridge.
Because it was so hot we skipped the palace and Mandalay hill and were looking for refreshment at the hotel’s swimming pool with fresh cocktails and fruit.
After our refreshment and a nap by the pool our taxi picked us up at four o’clock just in time for the sunset at the U Bein bridge a long teak wooden bridge over a large lake, certainly a photogenic place but also very touristy, the tourists we had not seen in the morning were certainly present, we walked a bit over the bridge but there were so many people that we decided to take some pictures next to the bridge on a sandbank. You can also sail around with a boat and enjoy the best view from the water. We went around wit a boat for 15000 Kyat and enjoyed the beautiful sunset from the water. Around the lake are many restaurants and bars where you can buy something to drink or eat dinner.
We decided to go back to the hotel to enjoy the food in the Spice Garden, which is definitely recommended if you stay in Mandalay.
The next morning the alarm wake us up early again for a early breakfast after the taxi picked us up at 8 o’clock for the boat to Mingun. We bought tickets for 5000 Kyat a person and wait until 09:00 the departure time of the boat. The rickety old wooden boat with some chairs brought us in an hour upstream to Mingun where we visited some temples.
The main attraction here is the gigantic white pagoda from the ferry about 10 min walk and a nice half day trip from the city.We took the boat back at 12:30 and there is another one day goan.
Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a delicious massage after which we went to the Mandalay palace to watch the sunset. The next day we took the taxi to Bagan which is about 4 hours away.

U Bein bridge Mandalay Myanmar

Top List to do in Mandalay
l Kuthodaw Pagoda
l Sandamuni Pagoda
l UBein Bridge
l Hsinbyume Pagoda
l Shwenandaw Kyaung (Teak Temple)
l Mandalay Palace
l Climb Mandalay Hill
Mandalay Myanmar
Na een vlucht van 1,5 uur landen we op Mandaly waar we een taxi namen naar ons hotel bythe Red Canal. Het was al donker en we konden niet goed zien waar we aan het rijden waren veel scooters rijden ook zonder verlichting het was een wonder dat de taxi ze allemaal kon ontwijken over de zanderige hobbelige wegen, langs de weg zagen we overal eet tentjes met bbq vuurtjes en mensen genieten van noodle soup en curry’s.
Het Hotel by the Red Canal met zijn klassieke uitstraling het meest betaalbare boetiek hotel van Mandalay, met de veeleisende reiziger die ontwerp, comfort, toplocatie en oprechte service zoekt. Het hotel in boetiekstijl is een combinatie van alles wat Myanmar is, met teakhouten meubels en armaturen en accessoires gemaakt van rotan, paarlemoer en andere lokale materialen. The Spice Garden serveert de beste Noord-Indiase keuken en specialiteiten uit Myanmar. Het hotel is voorzien van business ruimte, fitness, bar , restaurant ,spa en zwembad. Het interieur van de Spa is geïnspireerd op de traditionele bouwmethoden van landelijke dorpen in Myanmar, waar het interieur van het gebouw op een aangename temperatuur blijft.
De volgende morgen werden we al vroeger wakker door de eerste zonnestralen door het raam we ontbeten wat en liepen de straat uit om wat tempels te gaan bezichtigen.Wat meteen opvalt in Myanmar is het grote contrast tussen arm en rijk. We slenterden wat over de markt en liepen zo richting onze eerste tempel de gouden tempel klooster de entree wie we moesten betalen was 5000 kyat ongeveer 2,5 euro en geeft je toegang to 5 tempels.
De gouden tempel klooster is een rustige tempel waar niet veel toeristen komen we liepen wat rond en veel bijzonders was het ook niet maar wel leuk om te bezichtigen.
10 min verder lopen licht de Kuthodow pagoda het werelds grootste boek, deze tempel had ik veel over gelezen en veel foto’s voorbij zien komen, het was ongeveer 10:00 in de ochtend en opvallend rustig we liepen wat rond en maakten wat foto’s van de mooie witte pagoda’s. Bijna naast deze tempel licht de Sanda Muni Paya wat opvalt, zijn de vele stuka’s een mooi fotogeniek geheel ook hier weinig toeristen. Toen we rond 12:30 naar buiten liepen zagen we ongeveer 10 busjes met toeristen aankomen. Ik denk dat ze hiier allemaal dezelfde route doen dus hadden we erg veel geluk hiermee en gelijk een tip voor de volgende bezoekers.
Bij de uitgang kwamen we dezelfde taxi chaufeur als smorgens tegen en besloten om ons terug te laten rijden naar het hotel al was het maar een kwartiertje lopen.Naar Bagan hadden we nog geen vervoer en zo konden we chekken of de chaufeur een beetje kon rijden en betrouwbaar was. We besloten dat hij ons smiddags weer kwam ophalen om de zonsondergang te gaan kijken bij de U bein bridge.
Omdat het zo warm was skipten we het paleis en Mandalay hill en zochten verkoeling bij het zwembad van het hotel met verse cocktails en fruit genoten we hier van de rust.
Om vier uur pikte onze taxi chaufeur ons op ruim op tijd voor de zons ondergang te bekijken bij de U Bein bridge een lange teak houten brug over een groot meer, zeker een fotogenieke plek maar ook heel toeristisch, de toeristen wie we morgens niet hadden gezien waren hier zeker aanwezig, we liepen een stukje over de brug maar hier waren zoveel mensen dat we besloten wat fotos te maken naast de brug op een zand bank. Je kunt hier ook met een bootje een stukje rond varen en zo van het beste uitzicht genieten vanaf het water. We voeren wat rond en genoten van de mooie zonsondergang vanaf het water. Rond het meer zijn veel restaurantjes en barretjes waaar je wat te drinken of te eten kan kopen.
We besloten om terug te gaan naar het hotel om te genieten van het eten in de Spice Garden dit is zeker een aanrader als je verblijft in Mandalay.
De volgende morgen ging de wekker weer vroeg de taxi haalde ons om 8 uur op voor de boot naar Mingun.We kochten kaartjes en wachten tot 09:00 de vertrek tijd van de boot.
Het gammele houten bootje met wat stoeltjes bracht ons in een uur een stuk stroomopwaarts naar Mingun waar we wat tempels bezochten.
De main bezienswaardigheid hier is de gigantische witte Pagoda vanaf de ferry ongeveer 10 min lopen en een leuk half dagje uit de stad.We wandelden wat rond ook hier weinig toeristen omdat iedereen wie Mingun bezoekt erg verspreid over het gebied loopt er zijn 3 bezienswaardigheden hier.
We namen de boot van 12:30 terug er is er ook nog een in de avond.
Terrug bij het hotel genoten we van een heerlijke massage waarna we na de lunch naar het Mandalay paleis liepen om de zonsondergang te bekijken.De volgende dag namen we de taxi naar Bagan wat ongeveer 4 uur rijden is.
Top List to do in Mandalay
l Kuthodaw Pagoda
l Sandamuni Pagoda
l UBein Bridge
l Hsinbyume Pagoda
l Shwenandaw Kyaung (Teak Temple)
l Mandalay Palace
l Climb Mandalay Hill
Bagan Myanmar
After a drive of 4 hours on the bumpy roads of Myanmar, we arrived in Bagan and on the way we already saw some beautiful temples and pagodas and I could imagine how great it would be here during sunrise or sunset.

Amata garden resort Bagan

Our hotel Amata garden resort is located in New Bagan where many luxury hotels are located and the perfect place to discover all the temples and pagodas of Bagan.A heaven of peace and tranquility, Amata Garden Resort Bagan offers easy access to the famous Bagan temples and more.We stayed here 3 nights so we could see at least 3 sunsets and 3 sunrises. After lunch at the pool, we rented an electric scooter to explore the area and visit a temple rooftop before sunset. We followed a route of temples that we had read on the internet about ,the best temples of Bagan, but most temples are closed, at least the roofs of it. This was done because after a number of earthquakes and monsoon rains they almost collapsed under the pressure of tourism which massively wanted to see the sunset on the roofs (a must do in Bagan). In short, all the guides and reviews can be put in the trash because if you are traveling there it might be a lot different and that temple is closed too.

old Bagan Myanmar sunset

We used Maps.me the app is well kept which temples are closed and which still open. This app is much better to use in Myanmar as google maps because google maps many temples missed and does not offer route guidance in Myanmar. So many of you send me emails and dm about what temples whe shoot just download maps.me and you will find there are just a few open for rooftop acces.

our favorite sunrise-sunset temple

So after some disappointment of closed temples, we finally found a nice place to view the sunset, we enjoyed the sunset and drove back towards our hotel. On the way we stopped at a restaurant to dinner, the price level here is even lower than Thailand and for 5 euros you eat extensively in a restaurant, not on the street, I say for 5 euros 2 people in a restaurant we chekt the bill three times.
The next morning we were dropped of by a tuk-tuk at one of the temples to watch the sunset, the first temple was the roof full of cameras and tourists we decided to try the next temple, but here the roof was full of Chinese people who were quite cheeky, noisy and unmannered a great annoyance of every traveler and normal person. We had no choice and could not waste time so decided to make the best of it. At a given moment I got space from a nice man from southeast Asia to stand between the Chinese and also to catch the sunrise it was a great sight to see the sun come up behind the pagodas and see the air balloons take off during sunrise.

Bagan Myanmar

Our days in Bagan we actually did not that much during the daytime by the pool and in the afternoon and morning temple hopping with our electric scooter. We discovered two temples without tourists and decided that we would come back here more often though the view was not as in the other temples we could honestly enjoy the peace here it was just the two of us.
The most temples of Bagan I have made a list of below are easy to find with Maps.me, please note that some temples te roofs are already closed and overgrown with trees and nature.

Bagan sunrise Myanmar tempels

Most beautiful temples of Bagan
l lAnanda Pagoda
l lMahazedi Pagoda
l lShwegu Gyi Phaya
l lDhamma Yan Gyi Temple
l lShwesandaw Pagoda
To view the sunset or sunrise from the roof of a temple I recommend to use Maps.me or ask the locals to bring you to an temple for a small fee, this is perhaps the safest way to be sure of a nice place.
I almost forgot to tell you about our great flight with Balloons over Bagan, we were picked up at 05:00 in an old school bus to a place about half an hour away from new Bagan. We drink coffee while getting a briefing on the safety rules and meet the pilot, the pilots are all European and professionally schooled. We enjoyed the view over the temples from the air definitely recommended to do when it fits your budget, for 2 people 700 euros.
After three days in Bagan we drove back to Mandalay airport with our same taxi driver and took a flight back to Thailand Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng light festival.
Bagan Myanmar
Na een rit van 4 uur over de hobbelige wegen van Myanmar kwamen we aan in Bagan onderweg zagen we al wat tempels en pagodas voorbijkomen langs de weg en ik kon me voorstellen hoe geweldig het hier zou zijn tijdens zonsopkomst of zonsondergang. Ons hotel Amata garden resort ligt in New Bagan waar veel luxere hotels gelegen zijn en de perfecte plek om al de tempels and pagodas van Bagan te ontdekken.We verbleven hier 3 nachten zodat we op zijn minst 3 zonsondergangen konden zien en 3 zonsopkomsten.Na een lunch bij het zwembad huurden we een elektrische scooter om de omgeving wat te verkennen en een tempel op te zoeken voor zons ondergang. We volgden een route van tempels wat we op internet hadden gelezen over de beste tempels van Bagan echter de meeste tempels zijn gesloten althans de daken ervan. Dit is gedaan omdat ze na een aantal aardbevingen en moeson regens de tempels bijna bezweken onde druk van het toerisme welke massaal op de daken de zonsondergang wilden zien (een must do in Bagan). Kort samengevat alle gidsen en reviews kun je in de prullebak gooien omdat als je er naar toe reist het misschien veel anders is en ook die tempel gesloten is. We gebruikten Maps.me hier wordt goed bij gehouden welke tempels gesloten zijn en welke nog open.Deze app is in Myanmar veel beter te gebruiken als google maps omdat google maps veel tempels mist en geen route begeleiding aanbied in Myanmar. Na wat teleurstelling van gesloten tempels vonden we eindelijk een mooie plek om de zonsondergang te bekijken we genoten van de zonsondergang en reden terug richting ons hotel. Onderweg stopten we nog bij een restaurantje om te eten, het prijs niveau is hier nog lager dan Thailand en voor 5 euro eet je uitgebreid in een restaurant dus niet op straat, ik zeg voor 5 euro 2 personen in een restaurant we chekten de rekening wel drie keer. De volgende morgen lieten we ons afzetten door een tuktuk bij een van de tempels om de zonsondergang te bekijken, de eerste tempel was het dak al vol met cameras en touristen we besloten de volgende tempel te proberen echter hier was het dak vol met chinezen welke nogal brutaal, luidruchtig en ongemannierd zijn tot grote ergenis van elke reiziger en normaal mens.We hadden geen keus en konden geen tijd meer verliezen dus besloten maar om er het beste van te maken.Op een gegeven ogenblik kreeg ik ruimte van een aardige man uit zuid oost Azie om tussen de chinezen te gaan staan en ook de zonsopkomst mee te pakken het was een geweldig gezicht om de zon te zien op komen achter de pagodas en de lucht ballonnen te zien opstijgen tijdens zonsopkomst. Onze dagen in Bagan sleten we eigenlijk overdag bij het zwembad en in de na middag en ochtend temple hopping met onze elektrische scooter.We ontdekten een tweetal tempels zonder toeristen en besloten dat we hier maar vaker terrug zouden komen al was het uitzicht niet als bij de andere tempels we konden hier wel eerlijk genieten van de rust. De mooste tempels van Bagan heb ik hieronder een lijstje van gemaakt allemaal makkelijk te vinden met Maps.me, let wel sommige tempels worden of zijn al gesloten hierdoor worden ze dus niet meer onderhouden en raken verwilderd met de natuur en begroeid met bomen en onkruid.
Mooiste tempels van Bagan
lAnanda Pagoda
lMahazedi Pagoda
lShwegu Gyi Phaya
lDhamma Yan Gyi Temple
lShwesandaw Pagoda
Om de zonsondergang of zonsopkomst te bekijken vanaf het dak van een tempel raad ik aan om Maps.me te gebruiken of aan de locals te vragen ze brengen je er graag voor een kleine vergoeding, dit is misschien wel de veiligste weg om zeker te zijn van een mooie plek.
Bijna vergeet ik te vertellen van onze geweldige vlucht met Balloons over Bagan, we werden om 05:00 opgehaald in een ouderwetse school bus naar een plek op ongeveer een half uur rijden vanaf new Bagan. We dronken koffie terwijl we een briefing kregen over de veiligheids regels en ontmoeten de piloot, de piloten zijn allemaal Europees en profesioneel geschoold in hun van de armste landen van de wereld is. We genoten van het uitzicht over de tempels vanuit de lucht zeker een aanrader om te doens als je budget het toelaat , voor 2 personen ben je zo 700 euro lichter.
Na drie dagen reden we terug naar het vliegveld van Mandalay met onze zelfde taxi chaufeur nog steeds en vlogen terug naar Thailand Chiang Mai voor het Yee Peng light festival.

Mon Chaem area Chiang Mai Thailand

Chiang Mai / Mon Cham Thailand
A short flight took us to Chiang Mai airport where we picked up our rental car and again within an hour we were outside the airport. We stayed the first night in a low budget hotel close to the airport because it was already evening and so the next morning we could drive in daylight to Mon Cham.The hotel was really low budget and not recommended I leave the name even, the breakfast was soluble coffee with a sandwich. Hungry and disappointed we drove to Huay Tueng Thao lake to have breakfast and lunch. Huay Tueng Thao lake is a big lake just outside the city with floating huts on the water where you can eat swimming chilling these kinds of places you come across a lot in Thailand and the food is honest. We enjoyed the peace and the food and after the battery was recharged we drove towards Mon Cham to drive around there and spot some photo locations.
Mon Cham was formerly known for his mountains and great heroin harvest and smuggling, after the king started a program for the people with an alternative to the poppy cultivation for the mountain tribes now you can find all kinds of vegetables, fruit. The population lives from tourism and the produce of fruit and vegetables. In Mon Cham we stayed in an Onsen resort, a spacious resort in Japanese style with an eye for details, the guests walk around in bathrobes so you do not have to worry about your clothes. The resort consists of 16 rooms from lux to super lux and regular rooms. We enjoyed the afternoon in the Onsen Spa. The hotel Onsen at Moncham is located at 1200 meters above sea level in a green landscape in the middle of the Jungle and between the farms of Mon Cham. In the evening we enjoyed Japanese cuisine in the open air restaurant, a spacious restaurant with Thai and Japanese cuisine, the food was great and definitely recommended if you are in the area and want to eat Japanese, it deserves 5 stars the tuna melted in our mouth so fresh.

Onse at Mon Cham Chiang Mai

The next morning the alarm went back early to see the sunrise between the mountains, a magical sight with the mist rolling through the mountains we picked some fresh strawberries and drove back to the hotel. After breakfast, we drove to the Mae Sa waterfall just 10 min from the hotel I had already been here 5 years ago and came back here because the waterfall is really great. In the 5 years time the park has deteriorated everywhere you find collapsed and poorly maintained huts lookout points, I wonder where the money goes to because the park gets a lot of visitors and that is not reflected in the maintenance. The waterfall has 10 floors nr. 5 is the best but we decided to walk a bit to the top to take some photos in peace. Tired and satisfied we walked down again at our leisure, after which we had lunch somewhere on the river in a hut. In the afternoon we enjoyed the tranquility and nature and the spa in the Onsen.

Onsen at Moncham Chiang Mai

The next morning we checked out and drove to an elephant farm. Pantara Elephant camp a shelter for elephants where the elephants walk around freely in a nice atmosphere in a large park in the middle of the mountains with Lonelyplanet certification and Natgeotravel recommended its a good choice.

Pantare Elephant camp

Patara Elephant Farm is unique because of their Elephant Owner for a Day program. Together with the regular caretaker of the elephant you are responsible for one day for the care of the elephant you get assigned. The nice thing is that they choose an elephant that suits your character, we got a very quiet elephant because Ho was afraid of the big mammals.After we were a little accustomed to the elephant and had given him to eat we had to work the elephant had to be washed and scrubbed in the river. After that, it was time for a little movement and we drove back with the elephant through the mountains in the jungle to the camp a really nice day.
In the evening we picked up the rest of Ho’s family to celebrate Yee Peng or Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai. The alarm went back early to see the sunrise at Doi Suthep (I become a morning human ) a great sight to see the sun rise and set the temple in a nice soft light. After breakfast we visited the Zoo from Chiang Mai where you can drive your car through, we were especially interested in the Pandas. Arriving at the pandas it was not so special, one was sleeping and the other was eating something uninterested. After lunch, we were picked up or we would be picked up but never seen anyone for the commercial Yee Peng festival where a mass release of 10 thousands of lanterns is held in the air. Because there was never a van appeared to pick us up, we went by taxi and we were not the only ones, it seems that hundreds of people had to arrange their own transport. The festival itself was so busy and poorly organized that this is not really recommended, there are two commercial events organized 1 by the Cowboy rank the other is Mae Jo University We had paid 70 euros for a VIP ticket and included a Thai dinner, Thai boxes, dancing, and a Loi Krathong ritual but because it was so badly organized we got nothing to see and the food was also worthless no one had a place to sit. The Thai ceremony was so uninspiring, I think they did not really know what they were doing or just don’t care, but fortunately, we did not come here either for this. We had come for the mass release of the thousands of lanterns and this was indeed a great sight that I will not soon forget.
( Update, after we complain on PayPal about the transport we get all our money back and the organiser, say sorry for the lack of transport it was there the first time to organize a big thing like this)

Yee peng lantern festival

To experience the mass release, you do not actually have to have a ticket. You can also see it just outside the fence and make even better pictures. We had VIP cards and were completely in the front, a Chinese woman made an attempt to light her lampion and at the same time her chair a whole row of lanterns and the neighbor set in fire. After this, it looks safer to run out the VIP area with lots of Chinese who don’t know what they doing because they never listening to someone.

Yee Peng Chiang Mai

We looking for a place in the back to take some pictures in peace. A great sight to be able to experience this.
The next day we visited the white temple (Wat Rong Khun) and blue temple (the Wat Rong Suea Ten) in Chiang Rai its a 2,5-hour drive from Chiang Mai. I had been here once again about 6 years ago and the temples were not finished that time and not touristy at all. Now we arrived and you could walk over the heads so busy 50 Bath was the entrance that was the only thing that remained the same. After the white temple, we visited the blue temple here also too busy. I notice that Instagram actually does more harm than good, a few bloggers make some pictures and the crowd follows them here and thinks they can take those photos too but this is usually not possible or you just have to be on the spot just after sunrise when there is no tourist to be seen. Back to Chiang Mai, we visited a natural Onsen Spa where you could sit in different pools very good for your skin, some water was so hot that you could cook an egg. I decided to retreat myself while enjoying myself of a Thai massage.

Loi Krathong Chiang Mai

In the evening we took the Taxi to the Ping River where they held the Yee Peng festival at the Narawat bridge in Chiang Mai. We left our lanterns between local and tourists. We bought a floating flower bouquet to float in the river. The candle and the incense sticks are lit and the Krathong is launched. It is believed that the longer the candle burns, the better your happiness will be in the coming year. The Thai couples also often let their krathongs together. The longer they stay close together, the longer and nicer the relationship between the living. Some couples smuggle by connecting their krathongs with a small string.

Loi Krathong Chiang Mai

Then we walked to the bridge to light our lanterns, it was busy but I must say the police and volunteers kept everything sharp in mind that it is so much better here organized as the commercial events. After we had let go of our lanterns, we had a dinner appetite and afterward, we were so exhausted that we honestly crawled under the wool to go to the airport again early in the morning to fly back to the coast.
Things to do in Chiang Mai
  • Doi Suthep
  • Mon Chaem farms
  • Old city temles
  • Visit an Elephant farm,chek before ow they threat the elephants
  • Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand
  • Visit theKaren and longneck tribes
  • Bo Sang handcraft village

Dvaree Jomtien beach Pattaya Thailand

Near my wife’s house is an airport where AirAsia offers different flights. In 1.5 hours we were back on the coast to check in at our first hotel Dvaree Jomtien beach a large hotel with lots of rooms at the beach of Jomtien and less crowded than the big Pattaya a bit further. Without all the noise of bars, you can sit here quietly on the beach or take a morning walk. The hotel has 5 restaurants a spa, 2 swimming pools a kids club and a Sky bar. I enjoyed the pool all day while Ho was arranging some stuff to take home. In the afternoon I took an oil massage at the spa and ordered a ice cream banana split by the pool and enjoyed the peace until a Thai came up with the idea here it is very quiet I’m going to turn on the radio on Mach 10.

Dvaree Jomtien beach

We watched the sunset from the Sky bar where a table was reserved for us at the most beautiful spot exactly in the middle of the dome, a great view and we were lucky with the sunset all colors came over. The next morning we got a breakfast in bed a fair Sunday morning feeling with fresh rolls the smell of coffee and fresh fruit.

Nusa Chivani Pattaya

Nusa Chivani Pattaya

The rest of the days we had a private pool Vila at our disposal at Nusa Chivani Pattaya this spacious villa in Tuscan Italian style with a private pool. Our Vila had four bedrooms with all their own shower. A perfect place to spend the rest of the holiday in peace to enjoy with Ho her family. In the morning breakfast was booked and in the evening you could also order from the restaurant at the entrance of the park. We enjoyed our own place with a large swimming pool and did nothing else for the rest of the day. At the beginning of this blog post, you can read all about what to do in Pattaya / Jomtien. The villas are highly recommended and a 10-minute drive away is the most beautiful beach in the area where you can watch the sunet alone on the beach or enjoy fresh fish in the many restaurants.

Nusa Chivani Pattaya

Our trip to Thailand and Myanmar came to an end and I hope you enjoyed as much as we do
Chiang Mai/Mon Cham Thailand Een korte vlucht bracht ons in Chiang Mai airport waar we onze huur auto ophaalden en weer binnen een uur buiten de airport stonden.We verbleven de eerste nacht in een low budget hotel dicht bij het vliegveld omdat het al avond was en we zo de andere morgen richting Mon Cham konden rijden.Het hotel was echt low budget en geen aanrader ik laat de naam ook maar achterwege, het ontbijt was oplos koffie met een broodje.Uitgehongerd reden we naar Huay Tueng Thao lake om daar maar te ontbijten en lunchen. Huay Tueng Thao lake is een meer net buiten de stad met drijvende hutjes op het water waar je kan eten zwemmen chillen dit soort plekken kom je veel tegen in Thailand en het eten is er eerlijk.We genoten van de rust en het eten en nadat de batterij weer opgeladen was reden we verder richting Mon Cham om daar wat rond te rijden en wat foto locaties te spotten.Mon Cham was vroeger bekend om zijn bergen en grote heroïne oogst, nadat de koning een programma opstartte met een alternatief voor de papaver teelt voor de bergvolkeren vind je er nu allerlei soorten groenten, fruit, leeft de bevolking van het toerisme en de opbrengst van het land. In Mon Cham verbleven we in een Onsen resort, een ruim opgezet resort in Japanse stijl met oog voor details, de gasten lopen hier rond in Badjassen zo hoef je je niet druk te maken over je kleding wel zo makkelijk.Het resort bestaat uit 16 kamers van lux naar super lux en gewone kamers.We genoten de middag in de Onsen Spa.Het hotel licht op 1200 meter boven zee level in een groen landschap midden in de Jungle en tussen de boerderijen. Avonds genoten we van de Japanse keuken in het open lucht restaurant, een ruim opgezet restaurant met De Thaise en Japanse keuken, het eten was er geweldig en zeker ook een aanrader als je in de buurt bent en Japans wil eten, het verdient 5 sterren de tonijn smolt in onze mond zo vers. De volgende morgen ging de wekker weer vroeg om de zon te zien opkomen tussen de bergen, een magisch gezicht met de mist rollend door de bergen we plukten wat verse aardbeien en reden terug naar het hotel Onsen at Moncham. Na het ontbijt reden we naar de Mae Sa waterval ik was hier 5 jaar terug al eens geweest en kwam hier terug omdat de waterval echt geweldig is. In de 5 jaar tijd is het park wel achteruit gegaan overal vind je ingestorte en slecht onderhouden hutjes uitkijk punten, ik vraag me af waar het geld naar toe gaat want het park krijgt wel veel bezoekers en dat valt niet terug te zien in het onderhoud. De waterval heeft 10 verdiepingen nr. 5 is het mooiste maar we besloten toch wat door te wandelen naar de top om daar in alle rust wat foto’s te kunnen nemen en wat rond te zwemmen. Moe en voldaan wandelden we op ons gemakje weer naar beneden waarna we ergens onderweg lunchten aan de rivier in een hutje. Middags genoten we in de Onsen van de rust en natuur en de spa. De volgende morgen checkten we uit en reden naar een olifanten op vang kamp Pantara Olifant camp een opvang voor olifanten waar de olifanten in vrijheid rond lopen in een groot opgezet park midden in de bergen met keurmerk van Lonelyplant en en Natgeotravel.Patara Olifant Farm is uniek door hun Olifant Owner for a Day programma. Samen met de reguliere verzorger van de olifant ben je één dag verantwoordelijk voor de verzorging van de olifant die je krijgt toegewezen.Het leuke hierbij is dat ze een olifant uitkiezen die qua karakter bij je past, we kregen een hele rustige olifant omdat Ho best wel bang was voor de grote mammoets.Nadat we een beetje gewend waren geraakt aan de olifant en hem te eten hadden gegeven moesten we aan het werk de olifant moest gewassen worden en gescrubd. Na de was beurt was het tijd voor een beetje beweging en reden we terug met de olifant door de bergen naar het kamp echt een leuke dag. Avonds haalden we de rest van de familie van Ho op om Yee Peng of Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai te vieren. De wekker ging weer vroeg om de zon te zien op komen bij Doi Suthep (ik wordt nog een ochtend mens) een geweldig gezicht om te zon te zien opkomen en de tempel in een mooi zacht licht te zetten. Na het ontbijt bezochten we de dierentuin van Chiang Mai waar je met je auto door een kunt rijden, we waren vooral geinteresseerd in de Panda’s. Aangekomen bij de Panda’s was het niet zo bijzonder eentje lag te slapen de ander zat wat ongeïnteresseerd te eten. Na de lunch werden we opgehaald of we zouden opgehaald worden maar nooit iemand gezien voor het commerciële Yee Peng festival waar een mass release wordt gehouden van 10 duizenden lampions te gelijk in de lucht. Omdat er nooit een busje verscheen om ons op te halen zijn we maar met de taxi gegaan en we waren niet de enigen, het schijnt dat er honderden mensen zelf hun vervoer moesten regelen. Het festival zelf was zo druk en slecht georganiseerd dat dit echt geen aanrader is, er zijn trouwens twee commerciële georganiseerde evenementen onze was bij de Cowboy rang de andere is Mae Jo University We hadden 70 euro voor een kaartje betaald hierbij zou dan een Thais dinner zitten Thais boxen, dansen en een heel ritueel maar omdat het zo slecht georganiseerd was kregen we niks te zien en het eten was ook waardeloos niemand had een plek om te zitten. De Thaise ceremonie was zo ongeïnspireerd volgens mij wisten ze zelf ook niet echt wat ze aan het doen waren maar gelukkig waren we hier ook niet voor gekomen. We waren gekomen voor de mass release van de duizenden lampionnen en dit was inderdaad een geweldig gezicht wat ik niet snel zal vergeten. Om de mass release mee te maken hoeft je eigenlijk geen kaartje te hebben je kunt het ook zien net buiten het hek en nog mooiere foto’s maken ook. We hadden vip kaartjes en zaten helemaal voorin, een Chinese vrouw deed een poging om haar lampion aan te steken en stak daarbij tegelijk haar stoel een hele rij lampionnen en de buurvrouw in brand waarna we maar weg liepen uit het vip gedeelte en een plaatsje achterin zochten om daar in alle rust wat foto’s te maken. Een geweldig gezicht om dit te mogen mee maken. De volgende dag bezochten we de witte tempel (Wat Rong Khun)en blauwe tempel(the Wat Rong Suea Ten) in Chiang Rai ik was hier al eens geweest een jaar of 6 terug en de tempels was nog niet klaar die tijd en niet toeristisch. Nu kwamen we aan en kon je over de hoofden lopen zo druk 50 Bath was de entree dat was het enige wat hetzelfde was gebleven. Na de witte tempel bezochten we de blauwe tempel ook hier ontzettend druk. Ik merk dat Instagram eigenlijk meer kwaad dan goed doet, een paar bloggers maken wat foto’s en de massa volgt ze hier naar toe en denkt ook die foto’s te kunnen maken maar dit is meestal niet mogelijk of je moet morgens net na zonsopkomst op de plek zijn dan is er nog geen toerist te bekennen. Terug weg naar Chiang Mai bezochten we nog een natuurlijke Onsen Spa waar je in verschillende baden kon gaan zitten heel goed voor je huid, sommig water was zo heet dat je er een eitje kon koken.Ik zelf besloot me maar terug te trekken onder het genot van een Thaise massage. Avonds namen we de Taxi naar de Ping rivier waar ze in Chiang Mai het Yee Peng festival houden bij de Narawat brug lieten we onze lampionnen op tussen de lokale en toeristen. We kochten een drijvend bloemen boeketje om in de rivier af te laten drijven. De kaars en de wierookstaafjes worden aangestoken en dan wordt de krathong te water gelaten. Men gelooft dat hoe langer de kaars blijft branden des te beter je geluk is in het komende jaar. Ook laten de Thaise paren vaak hun krathongs samen te water. Hoe langer ze dicht bij elkaar blijven, des te langer en mooier de relatie tussen de samenlevende. Sommige paren smokkelen door hun krathongs met een klein touwtje te verbinden.Hierna liepen we naar de brug om onze lampionnen af te steken, het was er druk maar ik moet zeggen de politie en vrijwilligers hielden alles scherp in de gaten dat het hier zoveel malen beter georganiseerd was als de commerciële evenementen. Nadat we onze lampions hadden los gelaten hadden we trek in diner gekregen en waren hierna zo uitgeteld dat we eerlijk onder de wol kropen om de andere morgen weer vroeg naar de aiport te gaan om terug naar de kust te vliegen.
Wat te doen Chiang Mai
  • Doi Suthep
  • Mon Chaem boerderijen in de bergen
  • Oude stad en tempels
  • Bezoek een olifanten boerderij
  • Doi Inthanon, het hoogste punt in Thailand
  • Bezoek de Karenen langnek volkeren
  • Bo Sang hand werk dorp
Dichtbij mijn vrouw haar huis is een vliegveld waar Airasia verschillende vluchten aanbied dus dit is wel handig. In 1,5 uur waren we weer terug aan de kust om in te checken in ons eerste hotel Dvaree Jomtien beach een groot hotel met heel veel kamers aan het strand van Jomtien wat minder druk is als het grote Pattaya een stukje verderop. Zonder al de herrie van bars kun je hier nog rustig op het strand zitten of een ochtend wandelingetje doen. Het hotel bevat 5 restaurants een spa,2 zwembaden een kids club en een Sky bar, ik genoot de hele dag aan het zwembad terwijl Ho wat spullen aan het regelen was voor mee naar huis te nemen.Middags nam ik een olie massage in de spa en bestelde een bananen split bij het zwembad en genoot van de rust tot een Thai op het idee kwam het is hier wel heel rustig ik ga de radio eens aanzetten. De zonsondergang bekeken we vanuit de Sky bar waar een tafel voor ons gereserveerd was op het mooiste plekje precies in het midden van de koepel, een geweldig uitzicht en we hadden geluk met de zonsondergang alle kleuren kwamen voorbij. De volgende morgen kregen we een ontbijt op bed gereserveerd een eerlijk zondag morgen gevoel met verse broodjes de geur van koffie en vers fruit.
De rest van de dagen hadden we een eigen pool Vila tot onze beschikking bij Nusa Chivani dit zijn ruim opgezette villa in Toscaanse Italiaanse stijl met een eigen zwembad, onze Vila had vier slaapkamers met allemaal hun eigen douche.Een perfecte plek om de rest van de vakantie in alle rust te genieten met Ho haar familie.Morgens werd er ontbijt gereserveerd en avonds kon je ook wat bestellen uit het restaurant bij de ingang van het park. We genoten van onze eigen plek met groot zwembad en deden de rest van de dag eerlijk niets meer.Aan het begin van deze blog post kun je terug lezen wat er allemaal te doen is in Pattaya/Jomtien. De villa’s is een aanrader en op 10 minuten rijden ligt het mooiste strand van de omgeving waar je soms nog helemaal alleen de zon ondergang kan bekijken of kan genieten van verse vis in de vele restaurantje
Onze trip in Thailand en Myanmar was hierbij tot een einde gekomen en ik hoop dat jullie een beetje hebben mee kunnen genieten

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