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PACK YOUR BAGS TO MYANMAR!

11:37 | Labels: ,

MYANMAR OR BURMA?
The next destination--->> Myanmar!!


Okay. We are going to Myanmar for the next backpacking trip. So we have to be smart, let's explore a bit about Myanmar's info.

Myanmar- Sandwich of China & India

>Myanmar known as Burma in Burmese-language name, and Burma is English language name for Myanmar. As simple as that.

>The currency of Myanmar is the Burmese Kyat which 1USD is equal to 850.000 Kyat.

Since in the previous post we did mentioned about going backpacked to Laos, and the route will finished at Chiang Mai, Thailand. The ultimate thing that any of the travellers or backpackers should have really known is that Myanmar do not permit international crossing border via ground route.


YES, YOUR READ IT RIGHT. MYANMAR DOES NOT PERMITTED INTERNATIONAL CROSSING BORDER VIA GROUND ROUTE.


So the alternative that we can take to cross the border is via the air route. You can take direct flight from Chiang Mai to Yangon, Myanmar. But instead if you come from other destination, you might want to check THIS out.


LET’S EXPLORE YANGON, MYANMAR

Where to stay?

The first thing to do in Yangon upon flight arrival is to check in to the hotel. If you are wondering about the availability of the lowest budget hotel and accommodations around Yangon, you just had wasted some of your time. The best choice of accommodations that you guys should consider for backpacking in Myanmar is the Ocean Pearl Inn.

Ocean Pearl Inn. Best choice ever for the backpackers.

With only rated about 12USD for two nights, Ocean Pearl Inn is the cheapest inn in town. And comfortable too.


Comfort enough for backpackers, right budget-is-all-that-matters-backpackers?:p


Thing that bother backpackers the most? Checked!

For any further information such as facilities, room rates and booking services, you can refer HERE.

*If you choose not to travel by bus or taxi to the Ocean Pearl Inn, you can ask for the free pick up service from the inn because they offered the free services to their guests. It can saves your time and cut your budget cost.

What to explore?

1. Pagoda Chaukhtatgyi
We are here! Welcome to Pagoda Chauktatgyi!

Pagoda Chaukhtatgyi is located right besides the Shewdagon Pagoda Complex. You can reach this pagoda from Ocean Pearl Inn by bus or taxi available, or you can just request the Ocean Pearl Inn for the tour around the town by visiting any of the places of attraction that you wished to, with the fare USD 20 for a day. The distance from the inn is around 5.6 kilometres, and it takes only about 15 minutes drive.

Place where you keep your shoes before going in. No shoes are allowed in the temple.

Inside the pagoda, there is the giant reclining Buddha sculpture which the length of the sculpture is approximately over 72 metres long and just under 100 feet high. 


The giant reclining Buddha sculpture in Myanmar

For the Buddhist, they believed that whenever they make a pray in front of this giant sacred sculpture, their wishes will be granted.

    Fortune teller inside the pagoda



    2. Pagoda Shewagon
    This is the most popular destination in Yangon, and a-must-visit destination if you come to Myanmar. Located just nearby, you can travel to Pagoda Shewagon by bus or taxi.

    The precious gold for the precious attraction.


    Variety of Buddha's statues.

     And don’t be surprised if the shines of temple catch your eyes because it is wrapped with 8000kg gold alone, that is why they called it as gold temple! 


    Like this! Shining gold in the night.


    Where to eat?
    If you are looking for halal restaurant here in Yangon, you should not worry too much. 


    The halal street-type restaurant in Yangon city.

    Located at Jalan Masjid Indian Muslim Yangon, Restaurant Kyet Shar Soon Biriani offers halal Burmese-accented biryani for only 700 kyats. The restaurant is more likely like a food stall, served the locals and foreigners briyani- like the one that you can find in Malaysia.


    Like this yummy mouth watering nasi beriani.



    Sight-seeing around Yangon Town
    Just walking around the Yangon city also can be a perfect tour for the backpackers to enjoy the view and life of Yangon peoples. You can just walk to see the life of the Burmese across the markets and streets.

    The street of Yangon

    Walk for experiences and cultures

    The old cinema-you can still found it in Myanmar

    You don’t go backpack to Myanmar just for a tour around the temples. Myanmar has so many things offered for the backpackers to enjoy the stay at this military country. Apart of Yangon, Bagan- is the capital city of Myanmar and it is the main tourist destination in Myanmar. Known as one of the richest archaeological sites in South East Asia, Bagan is the favourite tourist destinations for backpackers.

    Anticipating for Bagan? Will be continued to the second part of backpacking in Myanmar. Till then backpackers. Have a nice adventure trips!


    JJJJ
    *Pictures courtesy: Googles

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    Posted by the streetwalker

    LAOS PART II-LUANG PRABANG

    20:19 |

    Luang Prabang HERE WE COME!


    Mae Kong River world's 12th- longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia.




    From our previous stop at Vang Vieng we need to hop on either VIP buses that cost around RM 60 or minivans that cost RM 48 with and it took about 6 to 7 hours journey to go to Luang Prabang. There are three bus stations, each a little bit out of town, which serve different directions. You may ride a tuk-tuk from your place of accommodation to the bus station.

    Where to stay?
    Same with Vang Vieng here in Lluang Prabang also you can easily find cheap hostel from the lowest price at RM 9 per night at Namsong Sai EcoLoge  or at Xayana Guesthouse






    Xayana Guesthouse

     OR
     at Halolao Backpackers at price of RM 36 per night. And of course, the higher you pay, the better you'll got for the accomodation.



    At Halolao Backpackers

    Which one will you choose? The RM9 hostel or the RM36's?
    You can find any other available lodging in Luang Prabang by refering to this LIST.


    Exploring the lane ways and riverbanks on foot or by bike, is some of the best ways to enjoy the relaxing vibe of Luang Prabang. Of the many splendid temples, the most famous is Wat Xieng Thong, where stunning, intricate mosaics portray temple myths and scenes of every day domestic life. Other attractions include a royal palace, now the National Museum, and the compact but fascinating Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. A sunrise or sunset climb to the top of the town-centre’s hill, Mount Phousy promises wonderful views of the town and its setting.

    Day Trips


    With so much to do in Luang Prabang, we’d need more space to recommend everything. First up would have to be a cooking class with us at Tamarind. There is no better way to get insight into the local culture than through a trip to the market and lesson about Lao food.

    Anyone looking for a bit more adventure must try some elephant trekking where you cab book it through a responsible local operator. Finally, if you yearn for beautiful, photogenic scenery, a trip out to Kuang Si Waterfalls is a must before you wrapped it up with a visit to a night market to enjoy your money!!

    Shopping
    Be sure to leave room in your luggage for the enormous keepsake to be found shopping in Luang Prabang where the main street transforms into a wonderland of bright colours at the Night Market. It opens daily until 10 pm and offers a wide variety of textiles, clothing, carvings, basketry, quilts, and much more.

    Enjoy your backpacking in exploring Luang Prabang!
    Goodbye.


    JJJJ

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    Posted by the streetwalker

    BEAUTY LAOS PART I

    18:11 | Labels: ,

    GETTING EXCITED IN VANG VIENG~~ THE BEST BACKPACKERS HANGOUT!!


     Beautiful country side scenery 

    Finish with exploring the Vietnam and now it’s the day to cross the country moving to our next destination which is Laos. Much people don’t really find Laos as a good tourism place to visit and I am here to prove that you guys are wrong. The first place to go is Vang Vieng that famous with white water rafting and tubing activities.


    There is no direct route from Hanoi to Vang Vieng so we need to go to Viantiane first before proceed to Vang Vieng. The bus fare will cost you about RM 90. It is the direct route that involves a long and strenuous 24 hours journey from Hanoi to Viantiane however you will be accompanied by a well worth scenery along the journey. If you want to know more info about the bus here is the link.

    From Viantiane to Vang Vieng you can purchase tickets for tourist buses or minivans at almost every guesthouse. VIP buses from Vientiane cost about RM 20 while for minivans cost in between RM 4 to RM 20. You can get a hostel as low as RM 2/night with five person per dorm but well the condition obviously suit with its price.

    Double decker wooden bed in the Ancient Palace.

    Ancient Palace is one of the best voted hostel in Vang Vieng. It is a unique tree-house style hostel that no other place got. An interesting hostel to stay at with a very natural scenery of a village area.  Known also as Spicylaos Backpackers guesthouse.

    View from outside of the guesthouse.


    Its okay though since you will be out for most of the time and not staying in the room. If you prefer a more comfortable room you can triple your money and get it at Nine Nois Place.




    When its Vang Vieng, its tubing!!


    Tubing, kayaking, high swings, rock climbing and white water rafting are among famous activities to do for backpackers lover in Vang Vieng. 

    Tubing and high swings are famous since every months there will be people die here. Careful guys. ^__^



    A sunset lover? Stay tune gangs. We are moving to Luang Prabang, on my next update to scene sunset at near by Mekong River. Till then~~

    JJJJ
    Picture courtesy: Flickr.

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    Posted by the streetwalker

    LETS DISCOVER VIETNAM!

    15:49 | Labels:

    Hi everybody, how your journey at Cambodia? This time we will bring you to Vietnam, a good country to explore. Vietnam's bustling largest city sets the cultural and economic pace for the country. 



    Nature beauty of Vietnam

    If you come from Cambodia, there is only ground transportation brings you to Vietnam. You can choose to go either by bus, car, motorcycle or bicycle if you wants. The most popular way from Cambodia is a cheap tourist shuttle via the Bavet to Moc Bai border crossing. Vietnam is very popular destination for backpackers. They call backpacker tour as open tour.


    Very nice view of Vietnam

    Starting from the South of the country where, the first destination is Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon. So, from Ho Chi Minh City, you can choose the pick stop of your journey. Below is the current price of bus service in Vietnam.

    Ho Chi Minh City–Dalat US$5
    Ho Chi Minh City–Mui Ne US$6
    Ho Chi Minh City–Nha Trang US$6
    Ho Chi Minh City–Hoi An US$13
    Ho Chi Minh City–Hué US$15
    Ho Chi Minh City–Hanoi US$23

    If you wish to continue the journey travel by other ground transport, please don’t miss their train experience. You can take Reunification Express, the fastest train service, which runs between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

    Check this train timetable link for the current train ticket price & schedule


    Travel by Vietnam train from Saigon to Hanoi anyone?



    For the first timer backpackers to Vietnam, we are suggesting you to try Cyclo. The cyclo is the type of transportation that offers you cheap and environmentally friendly transportation around Vietnam’s sprawling cities. The cyclo driver are always hang out near major hotels and markets, and able to speak at least broken English. A typical price is US$1 to US$2 per hour.

    Cyclo at Ho Chi Minh City


    We have many recommended places of interest for you to visit at Ho Chi Minh City for backpacker who has limited budget. If you wish to stay at the clean, safety and affordable hostel, we suggest you to stay at Saigon Backpackers Hostel. This hostel is complete with functional air-conditioning bed, clean bathroom, private locker, free WIFI and 24 hour internet access with hot and cold shower for USD10 only for two nights.  


    The comfortable hostel for you to stay

    Don’t worry about food in this area because your hostel was located at very strategic location. You can walk to Ben Thanh Market for 10 minutes and grab as cheaper as USD1 for a bowl of noodles at this market, the larger and famous market in Ho Chi Minh City.



    Ben Thanh Market



    This market also offers local handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Beside Ben Thanh Market, you must go to Opera House, Reutification Palace, War Remnants Museam and The Notre Dame only 15 minutes walk from the hostel.

    Lets try their dish 'Banh Canh' - special rice noodle

    If you wish to stay longer at Saigon, we recommend you to go to Cu Chi Tunnel by taking bus at Ben Thanh bus station or take the tour bus to this place. The Cu Chi Tunnel is one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War for 150 to 200 meter long that cost you only 6USD per person.

    Inside Cu Chi Tunnel

    Before you leave Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, don’t forget to go to Mekong Delta, a watery landscape of green fields and sleepy villages at Mekong River which you can see the real draw of Vietnamese life. We recommend you to travel via train to Hanoi. You can see the view of coastal area and the culture of Vietnam people along this journey.





    Busiest activities at Mekong Delta



    It takes 30 hour to reach Hanoi, but you can choose to stop to other place like Hue, that is located at the middle of Vietnam country that is the most well known for its historical value and recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

    Citadel Hue 

    If you love to visit historical site, this place is the great place for you. It has full of exotic culture, complex monuments, Perfume River, pagodas and tombs that will attract most backpackers and tourist to come to this place. Back to Hue, Hanoi Backpackers Hostel is waiting for you to rest and relax. This budget hostel only cost you USD12.50 per night. If you want to get around Hanoi, the meter taxi and Hired cars are easy to find.

    Hanoi Old Quarter is the best place if you like to take a walk for sightseeing. It is crowded streets people that trading with each other. You can choose with route you want to start your walk. It is only take 100 meter for overall steps. This is the route suggest by us:


    Cau Ho Street --> Gia Ngu Streets --> àHang Bac Streeet --> Luong Ngoc Quyen Street --> Hang Buom Street --> Hang Duong Street --> Luong Van Can Street --> Ly Quoc Su Street


    Hanoi Old Quarter Street

    Every Street has their special characteristic and difference trade. Some of them sell clothes, foods, gold and silver, fruits and vegetables. Beside Old Quarter, you also might visit their Hanoi Craft Village and tranquil lake before you leave Vietnam for the next journey. Bye bye.


    JJJJ

    Pictures courtesy: Flickrs, Google


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    Posted by the streetwalker
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    Don't pack your bag like this! =)