Budget and Safety Tips in Solo Traveling Myanmar

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Mandalay tour last part; downtown stroll

1. Starting Jan. 04, 2014, all Filipino passport holders are entitled of free visa pre-arrangement procedure. This means that Filipino's can go inside and out of Myanmar anytime provided that the stay duration should not be more than 14 days. During my immigration encounter upon arrival, passport control officer just asked me ONLY where is my visa, I told him Filipinos are free visa now. He asked his fellow IO to clarify and after a minute he handed over my passport explaining you have up to 14 days of stay. That was one of the most relax immigration encounter I ever had to think that the free visa privilege was implemented just less than a month ago.

2. Free visa privilege was announced December 2013 only during the Myanmar dignitaries state visit in Philippines. Good timing Air Asia was on promo fare around 3rd week of December while I'm scanning the web for possible airlines that can provide cheapest Myanmar flights. Round-trip ticket cost was around $107 only (meal included), Bangkok-Yangon and Mandalay-Bangkok. 

4-days self-guided solo tour in Myanmar (Bagan at night)

Mandalay Tour last part; Downtown Stroll

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Mandalay tour 2nd part; Mingun morning trip

Since I got temple-out easily and felt nothing much to do beside the fact that my budget was not enough, I decided to just stroll around outside Mandalay Palace and sight-see those locals especially the monks.

How to go to Mandalay;
I went here from Bagan via morning bus which departed at 0800H with a fare of 7,500kyat ($7.5). Travel time of 5 hours which arrived in Mandalay bus terminal at 1300H.

Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located 445 miles (716 km) north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one and half million,[3] and is the capital of Mandalay Region. Mandalay is the economic hub of Upper Burma and considered the centre of Burmese culture. Despite Naypyidaw's recent rise, Mandalay remains Upper Burma's main commercial, educational and health center. The city gets its name from the nearby Mandalay Hill. The root word has been speculated as "Mandala" (meaning, circular plains).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay

Mandalay city tour (Sandarmuni Pagoda)

Mandalay Tour 2nd part; Mingun Morning Trip

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Mandalay tour 1st part; Mandalay Hill at Night

This unexpected itinerary was just prompted when I read those bulletins posted in my hostel. Good thing I planned this as I'm lazy to stroll again for City Pagoda's; interest changed at instant.

One of the main attractions of this place is the Mingun Bell which is said to be the 2nd largest bell in the world. Cast in 1808 by King Bodawpaya to be dedicated to Mingun Pagoda which was never completed and is now a ruin. Its weight is about 90 tons, being one-third of that of Moscow and fourteen times of that in St. Paul's Basilica. Its supports were destroyed by the earthquake in 1839 and rested in ground until 1896.

How to go to Mingun;
Mingun can be reached by ferry boat which comes from Mandalay port located at the end of 26th Street with daily departures of 0900H and comes back at 1300H. Travel time is 45minutes to an hour with roundtrip fare of 5,000 kyat ($5). 

Mingun is located 11 km up the Ayeyarwady River on the west bank from Mandalay. Its main attraction is the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi. Mingun Temple is a monumental uncompleted stupa began by King Bodawpaya in 1790. It was not completed, due to an astrologer claiming that, once the temple was finished, the king would die. The completed stupa would have been the largest in the world at 150 metres (490 ft). Huge cracks are visible on the structure from the earthquake of 23 March 1839.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mingun

Mingun morning trip (the unfinished Temple)

Mandalay Tour 1st part; Mandalay Hill at Night

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Bagan day tour last part; Famous Pagoda's at night

Arriving around 1300H from Mandalay bus terminal which is located around 5 km outside downtown. I bargained a motorcycle ride for 3,000 kyat including tip for assisting to look for cheapest accommodation. I ended up in Rich Queen Guesthouse located in 87th cornet 26th street for 18,000kyat a night (aircon single room with bathroom inside). Then I went for a late lunch on the roads infront of Mandalay Palace afterwards walk myself to Mandalay Hill.

Mandalay Hill is known for its abundance of pagodas and monasteries, and has been a major pilgrimage site for Burmese Buddhists for nearly two centuries. At the top of the hill is the Sutaungpyei (literally wish-fulfilling) Pagoda. A panoramic view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay Hill alone makes it worthwhile to attempt a climb up its stairways. There are four covered stairways called saungdan leading up the hill from the south, southeast, west and north, and convenient seats of masonry work line these stairways all the way up. A one-way motor road today saves time and also makes it accessible for those who are unable to climb up the stairs, leading to an escalator and a lift to the pagoda at the summit. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay_Hill

How to go to Mandalay Hill;
Mandalay Hill is located in downtown and just meters away from Mandalay Palace. Entrance fee is 1,000 kyat ($1), open from 0700H until 2000H. 200 kyat charge for safekeeping your footwear at the entrance dome.

Mandalay city self-guided tour (Mandalay Hill at night)

Bagan Day Tour last part; E-biking for Famous Temples at Night

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Bagan day tour 5th part; from Shwesandaw to Dhammayangyi Pahto

I finished my day-tour around 1730H then headed-back to dormitory hostel in Nyang U road. The battery was still alive (started on 0830H, around more than 9 hours usage) even though it was abused on extensive off-road adventure by a first time rider ^_^. I surrendered this bike immediately then went for a shower, rested for wifi'ing then went outside again. I hired new bike (costs 2,500 kyat on agreed usage from 1900H to 2300H) to tour Bagan at night, have dinner and book my Mandalay bound bus trip for tomorrow.

Bagan Archaeological Zone is very safe to stroll at night, despite there was zero presence of road lights across Nyang U road. Actually I'm the only one that time who visited this places, I did not saw any tourists who aims for night shoot photos. I went back at my hostel around 2200H.

Bagan e-biking night tour (Shwezigon Pagoda)

Bagan Day Tour 5th part; from Shwesandaw to Dhammayangyi Pahto

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Bagan day tour 4th part; from Upalithein to Thatbyinnyu Temple

After visiting the Thatbyinnyu Temple, I visited tow of the most famous Pagoda's for initial initial intention of sunset viewing. But due to exhaustion, temple-out and hunger, I decided to just capture photo's and enjoy the remaining battery life of my E-bike before it becomes empty. Very minimal tourist along the road, though very dusty, this event was one of the most happiest adventure of my life.

Shwesandaw Pagoda - the highest Pagoda Tourists can reach (be very cautious of the stairway steepness) and the best place for sunset viewing. This was also the location the of surprise ticket inspection (15,000kyat for Bagan Archeological Zone 5-days pass) where I was caught off-guard, good thing I have this very vigilant and persuasive explanation.
Dhammayangyi Pahto - the mother of all pagoda's in Bagan. This is the largest and the symbol of Bagan Archaeological Zone. 

Shwesandaw Pagoda is a Buddhist pagoda located in Bagan, Burma. The pagoda contains a series of five terraces, topped with a cylindrical stupa, which has a bejewelled umbrella (hti). The pagoda was built by King Anawrahta in 1057, and once contained terra cotta tiles depicting scenes from the Jataka. Enshrined within the pagoda are sacred hairs of Gautama Buddha, which were obtained from Thaton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shwesandaw_Pagoda

Bagan e-biking day tour (Dhammayangyi Pahto)

Bagan Day Tour 4th part; from Upalithein to Thatbyinnyu Temple

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014 

Bagan day tour 3rd part; from Shweleiktoo toHtilominlo Pagoda

After visiting Htilominlo Pagoda, the following are the temples I visited in order of proximity.

Upalithein Pagoda - short visit and good photo-ops at the back
Rayangazu Pagodas - another set of pagodas
Hsutaungpyi Pagoda  - white pagoda. Beside I made a refreshments in The Moon restobar, spaghetti and fruit shake costs 5,400kyat ($5.4)
Ananda Temple - big white pagoda, great photoshoot outside
Thatbyinnyu temple - same with Ananda, road going Dhammayangyi Temple. 

Upali Thein, close the Htilominlo Temple, on the other side of the road, is a good example of a sima or ordination hall. It is thought to have been founded in the mid-13th century and named after the monk, Upali. It is rectangular with a vaulted hall and an image of the Buddha at the west end. Its design is said to resemble many of Bagan's former wooden buildings. 

Bagan e-biking day tour (Thatbyinnyu Temple)

Bagan Day Tour 3rd part; from Shweleiktoo to Htilominlo Pagoda

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Bagan day tour 2nd part; visiting the Shwezigon Pagoda

Shweleiktoo Temple is the temple famous for sunrise photoshoot over Old Bagan as well as Balloons floating which commence around 0515H-0545H. This was the initial and not so obligatory task to perform in enjoying the best of Bagan Archeological Zone. Arrive early as other tourists especially the high-end photographers tend to place themselves to the highest peak reachable on this temple. The higher you reach, the better you can photograph the stunning morning horizon. I arrived around 0445H with my cheater horse cart driver (with very, very slow movement), then parked in-front of the temple and stay inside (very cold with lots of mosquitoes) while trying hard to nap for a moment. Afterwards, I saw some arriving tourists with their rented mountain bikes and horse carts around 0515H. Being flashlight (mobile phone light is enough) as there is a very narrow stairway inside the Pagoda.

Bagan e-biking day tour (sunrise photoshoot on Shweleiktoo Pagoda)

Bagan Day Tour 2nd part; Visiting the Shwezigon Pagoda

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Bagan day tour 1st part; strolling self-guided tips

After the sunrise photoshoot, I went first to New Bagan (downtown) to search for a best and cheapest accommodation for a night. I saw Eden Hostel III located along Nyang U road, around 500 meters away from Bagan Bus terminal. Then, immediately hired an E-bike with standard price of 6,000 kyat ($6) but I negotiated it to 5,000 Kyat ($5) for a full charged battery day tour. My first destination was to take breakfast then bought a map as my tour guide to identify the Temple names and their location proximity. After breakfast, onward to one of the famous Pagoda's of Bagan and the look-a-like of Shwedagon Pagoda of Yangon, the Shwezigon Pagoda. Within the compound of the Shwezigon Pagoda is a stone pillar containing Mon language inscriptions dedicated by King Kyansittha.

Bagan e-biking day tour (visiting the Shwezigon Pagoda)

Bagan Day Tour 1st part; Strolling Self-guided Tips

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)
February 02-08, 2014

Yangon City tour last part; just off the streets

Marco Polo once described Bagan as a "gilded city alive with tinkling bells and the swishing sounds of monks' robes". Bagan Archaeological Zone was described by National Geographic as “one of Southeast Asia’s greatest archaeological heritage sites”, while Japan’s permanent delegation to UNESCO describes it as one of Asia’s “major historical landmarks.”

Coming from a Yangon night bus trip from 1930H to 0400H the following day, it is highly recommended to wear a jacket as the chill becomes intolerable on the time of arrival. Horse cart fare bound for sunrise shoot in one of the Pagoda's inside Bagan costs 15,000 kyat ($15). Due to a very sleepy status and miscommunication problem with the locals, I thought I heard the driver said only 1,500 kyat that was why I immediate grabbed the offer. I kept repeating the fare on him while we're on the way and he kept nodding pretending maybe to surprise me afterwards. But unfortunately upon payment when he brought me to my researched accommodation (walk-in only, no reservation), this was the time he declared he did not understood that 1,500 is different to 15,000. So that's it, I gave 15,000 kyat and I told him that don't be a cheater to any tourist especially the one traveling alone, it's bad and unfair to other kind and honest horse cart drivers.

Bagan, located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. It is estimated that as many as 13,000 temples and stupas once stood on this 42 sq km plain in central Myanmar.  Approximately 2,200 remain today, in various states of disrepair.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Bagan
 

Bagan day tour (inside the Archeological Zone)

Yangon City Tour last part; Just Off the Streets

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Yangon City tour 1st part; the Shwedagon Pagoda

Upon arrival in Yangon Airport, I planned to enter downtown by means of public bus which is found along the highway. Due to aggressiveness of some taxi drivers while I'm walking outside the airport, we agreed for taxi fare of 5,000 kyat bound to Sule Pagoda. Usual fare to downtown according to a bulletin posted inside the airport is 7,000 kyat, I read this ad before negotiating to cab drivers. Then, starting from Sule Pagoda, I walked towards Mahabandoola Garden, City Hall until I reached the Central Railway to book my Bagan night bus for tonight's trip. Afterwards, taxi (2,000 kyat fare) bound to Shwedagon Pagoda and People's Park. I stopped strolling earlier than expected due I found it there nothing much to see that caught my attention anymore. 

Yangon, formerly Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar until it was superseded by Naypyidaw in November 2005. Today, with a population of over 5 million people, it remains the largest city and main economic hub of Myanmar. The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying and beyond appreciation, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. Yangon continues to be a city of the past, as seen by its longyi-wearing, betel nut chewing and spitting pedestrians, their friendly or even familial attitude towards strangers, its street vendors and its pungent smells.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Yangon

Yangon City tour just off the streets (People's park)

Yangon City Tour 1st part; the Shwedagon Pagoda

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Transit in Bangkok last part; Red Light & Night Market of Silom Road

The origin of Shwedagon Pagoda materialized in brilliant epoch in Buddhist history 2,600 years ago. In India, Prince Siddhartha had just attained Buddhahood when he was visited by two brothers, merchants from Myanmar who offered gift of honey cakes. In return, Buddha personally removed eight hairs from his head and gave these to the two brothers for enshrinement in their native town of Okkalapa (Yangon). King Okkalapa enshrined Buddha's hairs together with the relics of three Buddha's before him... Because it contained it contained relics of the four Buddha's who had attained Enlightenment, it was known as Shwedagon Pagoda, the Reliquary of the four. Shwedagon Pagoda height is 326 ft (about 100m) placed on a hill with a height of 190 ft above sea level.

Salient points to be observed by the Pilgrims/Visitors;
1. Must not wear ladies blouse with wide and deep hives

2. Must not wear wear (above knee) short pants and skirts.
3. Must not wear shoes, stocks and stockings.

How to go to Shwedagon Pagoda;

From Yangon Central Railway Station, take a cab and negotiate a fare of 2,000kyat ($2) max. Travel time is around 10 minutes only from here. Entrance fee is 8,000kyat ($8) which includes 1-time entry (no re-entry allowed on the same ticket) and brochure map. FREE WIFI inside (strong signal is on the part near office, infront of the Shwedagon Pagoda, left of the entrance)

Yangon City tour; the Shwedagon Pagoda

Transit in Bangkok last part; Red Light & Night Market of Silom Road

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Transit in Bangkok 1st part; Suvarnabhumi(BKK) to Don Mueang Airport(DMK)

3-days in Thailand, the beginning of my travel addictiveness (Jun. 2010) 

I decided to spend a short visit to Silom road as my spare time in-between BKK-DMK Airport transfer was enough to perform it. I visited this place way back June 2010 (almost 4 years ago) where the Red Shirt protesters ended their renegade retribution just days before my Bangkok arrival. Now, again, set of protesters emerged because of the alleged corrupt Thai government. Though I witnessed both, it did not linger or lessen my expectation to experience Thailand backpacking. Silom is just 2 sets of railway away from BKK Airport and combination of bus and metro from DMK Airport.

Silom is the closest Bangkok gets to Wall Street, with glistening skyscrapers all boasting the names of financial institutions. After nightfall the character of the place changes considerably though: the small sois between Silom Road and Surawong Road come alive with people out for a good time, including the infamous den of sleaze that is Patpong. Patpong is internationally known as a red light district at the heart of Bangkok's sex industry, it is in fact only one of numerous red-light districts some catering primarily to Thai men and some others, like Patpong, catering primarily to foreigners. A busy night market aimed at tourists is also located also in Patpong. Patpong Night Market has offered souvenirs, gifts, clothes, handbags and jewelry amidst entertainment establishments since the late 1960s. This is one of the best known open air night markets in Thailand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patpong

Transit in Bangkok; Red Light & Night Market of Silom (Patpong Street)

Transit in Bangkok 1st part; Suvarnabhumi(BKK) to Don Mueang Airport(DMK)

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Country of Myanmar; the Golden Land

Bangkok is my chosen transit airport to Yangon, Myanmar due to no direct flights offered to Yangon, Free Visa Arrangement and very cheap round trip flight fares offered by Air Asia Thai.

AirAsia affirms its readiness to transfer all operations to Don Mueang International Airport by October 2012. The airline's flights will retain their original schedules. The uncongested Don Mueang Airport is sure to prove a benefit to AirAsia when it boosts its fleet of Airbus A320s to a total of 48 and welcomes more customers. 

http://www.airasia.com/ot/en/press-releases/don-mueang-airport-transfer.page

Assuming standard flow of traffic, travel from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) has around 45 minutes with distance of 49,5 kilometers. During peak hours can take up to 1.5-2.0 hours. Make sure you allocate as much time as possible. For more information, please check http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do?id=548

Give enough allowance time to departure and arrival flights from this 2 Airports for unfortunate events such as flight delay and traffic jam. As what happened to me, my flight departure from DMK was delayed by 1.5hr.

Transit in Bangkok; BKK to DMK Airport (Air Asia boarding Pass)

4 Days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay tour
February 02-08, 2014

"Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential." - Aung San Suu Kyi

My 31st country to visit, 28th solo backpacking trip, 7th country to visit in Southeast Asia, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Like most of Southeast Asia's countries, Myanmar's people and history is a glorious mishmash of settlers and invaders from all fronts. The Mon and the Pyu are thought to have come from India, while the now dominant Bamar (Burmese) migrated through Tibet and, by 849, had founded a powerful kingdom centred on Bagan. For the next millennium, the Burmese empire grew through conquests of Thailand (Ayutthaya) and India (Manipur), and shrank under attacks from China and internal rebellions.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Myanmar

Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Yangon)

5th OFW vacation; Winter Birthday Get-away from Georgia to Myanmar

life anniversary celebration amidst of the stressful work in the Middle East

January 27 to February 08, 2014
12-days shortest set of vacation as an OFW 

1st OFW vacation; Come back to my homeland

2nd OFW vacation; Pinoy backpacker China invasion
3rd OFW vacation; Summer solo tour from Malaysia to Japan
4th OFW vacation; Ultimate Solo Trip from Central Europe to Promised Land 

“Every person needs to take one day away.  A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.  Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.  Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” ― Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

One reason vacations don’t boost happiness after the trip may have to do with the stress of returning to work. And for some travelers, the holiday itself was stressful.

5th vacation as an Overseas Filipino worker for more than 2 years of stay in State of Kuwait. The image below shows the converted jpeg from pdf of calendar of events on my entire 12-days vacation journey. Most of this days were in Georgia and Myanmar without Philippines, my hometown.

OFW 5th vacation; Winter Birthday Get-away from Georgia to Myanmar