September 29, 2013
Colombo, Sri Lanka to Yangon, Myanmar (1,100 NM)
Second decision to make is to skip Australia and New Zealand this time. We feel these two countries deserve more time then as planned. We will make another trip for those two. The decision is after Hochiminh City, we will fly to Taipei and then take the Nothern route back to U.S. through Japan and Russia. Of course, the challenge is Russian visa and permits. Have to step on it. This way, we will shorten our journey by almost 30 days. We miss our family and friends too much. Also, here, we want to thank our travel handler, Air Journey Company. Whatever our wish is, they always made it happen. Their experience and professionalism in private aviation travel made everything ( okay, almost everything ) possible, at the same time, never compromise safety and spirit of fun and adventure.
Today is one of the longest legs. With headwinds, it took us seven and half hours. We started early. Hotel pick up was 6AM. Gear up at 8. With one hour time difference, we arrived Yangon around 5:00 PM. A whole day of flying and mostly over water. Fortunate to have good weather almost the whole time. We are tired but excited too. Weather is milder then Africa and South Asia. People are really kind and friendly. Surprisingly, Yangon airport is world class. This just shows, once again, how ignorant we are. Going through custom was a whisk. Handler accompanied us all the way to hotel, a rare service. He will pick us up on the day of departure, even rarer. Glad we get to come to Myanmar. A new place to see.
Yangon river.
After dropped luggages at room, we walked out of hotel to look for rice noodle soup. Handler told us there is a good noodle restaurant 10 minutes walk from hotel. We found YKKO. Got some satisfying warm fish ball noodle soup and taxi back to hotel for a good night rest. Arranged a day tour tomorrow.
September 30, 2013
In the morning, we tour the city. Walking around to see old colonial buildings. Street vendors are one after another everywhere. They support local people's everyday needs. From toilet papers to medicine.
Looks tempting but have to pass.
In the mid morning, we discussed with our tour guide, Mr. Win, about next day's plan. He highly recommened us to visit the old kingdom, Bagan (pronounced "bagun"). One day is tight, but he guarantees it will worth our time. We stop by a travel agent to book a 6 am flight to Bagan and return at 6 pm. Pick up time is 4:45 AM. now the problem is: How to get up?
A busy travel agency.
Like any regular day of monsoon season, afternoon comes pouring rain. We ran into the Botataung Pagoda. This is build around the same period with the Shwedagon Pagoda but much smaller in size. It is right in the center of the city. It houses two holy pieces of Buddha's hair relic. People come in continuously for offering and worshipping. Religion is an important part of people's life.
All the temples in Myarmar have strick rules about taking off shoes. It is important that visitors walk inside of temple barefooted. No socks either. Shoes have to be left at door. Carrying shoes is allowed either. In some tough areas, Jeffrey has to carry his "burden". ( Just a couple of times.) Our tour guide provided wet napkins afterwards, which is a big help.
.Myarmar was independent from British in 1948. Still has many colonial buildings mostly are used by government and seems in need for restoration. It is quite amazing that only until 2012, the government and the Western world made peace (so to speak). The country's change is exponential. Even local citizens are amazed by their own progress. Only until end of last year, they have normal car importing. Prior to that, only privileged can own a car. Streets were empty with little cars. 10 months later, morning and afternoon congestion is norm. Taxi are plenty. A little mind bugling to witness all this.
Cars are all pretty new here. In Yangon, no motorcycle allowed. Myarmarians are nice people. You do not hear them complaint about government and seems very happy about doing their jobs. Again, rare these days.
In the afternoon, we went to the jetty by Yangon river to see unloading of rice carrying ferry. Everyday, there are hundreds of rice carriers unloading bags of rice from upstream to trucks on roadside. Each bag is 50 Kg. They have a colored stick with each run. Different color goes to different truck. Every carrier is half running as they earn money by each stick they give out. They make 30 cents per run. I feel like we are seeing Shanghai rice dock 100 years ago. Our hearts are wrenching and tears in eyes. Jeffrey said to Mr. Win that this is very easy to achieve by simply building a conveyor belt. Mr. Win replied that workers are against the change because they will be out of work then. What a delima!
Workers have good spirit.
The stick control center.
Drove by home of Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo over the banner is her father, General Aung San. Legend is that when General Aung San past away, all his possession was 3 sets of uniforms. People seem to make peace with past and look forward to future.
By evening, we finally step on Shwedagon Pagoda. It is grand AND beautiful. Archeologists estimate it was first build in 6th to 10th century. Covered by tons of gold and clustered by gems and diamonds. 79,568 of those altogether. The crown diamond is 76 carats. It glitters and shines. Walking around this magnificent shrine after the earlier pouring rain, barefooted, somehow, there is a very purified feeling.
Top of Pagoda crown. All precious gems. After all, Burma is known for its ruby, sapphire, and jade mines.
After this action packed day, we returned to our room and want to get some good rest before tomorrow morning's 4:45 pick up. Sometimes, the more you think about these things, harder to fall asleep. In the middle of the night, there was a loud and clear broadcast : " There is an emergency, please leave your room and exit now". I looked at my watch, 2:30. What to do? Called operator, no answer. We grabbed, passports, flash light, room key, and camera (don't know why). We walked down 21 floors with other guests. It was weird to hear the fire exit doors open and close continuously. Got to lobby and was told "false alarm". We turned around right away and grabbed the first elevator. Now, forget about going back to sleep. We will be picked up in one hour. Traders Hotel later apologized and gave each guest free breakfast.
Tomorrow ( or today?) we will fly to old kingdom, Bagan.
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