Sunday, 10 April 2016
Inle Lake
We stayed in a village called Nyangshwe and in a really nice hotel called Princess Garden Hotel which was just on the edge of the small town we stayed in.
This town had a main drag where a few restaurants were. There is a good place in the Lonely Planet called Linn Htett which did a really great menu of local Myanmar food which essentially is a curry with lots of different accompaniments. There is so much food you can share. It was all pretty cheap too for a restaurant. It was busy with tourist as it was a LP recommendation. Definitely worth it.
We found a few other nice restaurants which sold BBQ meat and veg. We liked one called x.
One night we went to Owl & x which we knew would be more expensive but it was quite busy and we fancied something a bit more sociable. We had a delicious beer cocktail here which was beer with orange and tamarind. Then we got chatting to the waiter who told us about a new pub opening. This is not common for Myanmar as they have restaurants or beer stations so this was definitely a Western influence coming in. It was a reminder to us that progress was coming so if you do want to see Myanmar in it's unspoiled state then you need to go soon! The pub was actually pretty hipster inside so it was nice! The cocktails were very cheap too. About £1 for a mojito!
We took a full day boat trip around the lake. The best thing to do here is to plan your own route otherwise you will just get taken around the usual tourist haunts and shops. We felt a bit shipped through but there are so many beautiful spots that you do not need to go to every shop there is.
Monday, 7 March 2016
Bagan
This is one of the most special places I have ever been to. It is a sacred area full of beautiful pagoads and stupors. The villages are so calm and unworldly. There are signs up for English and computer lessons which is very cute as it felt like we were there on the brink of something about to happen. I experienced real awe in this unspoiled place. As riding electric motorbikes at 5am, running through villages, getting stuck in sand, being chased by dogs, hearing the cocks crow and being greeted by friendly villagers was truly awesome!
We stayed in New Bagan which is a bit further away from the part where tourists stay and cost us 15,000 kyat return in a taxi each night to go to the main restaurants area. This is quite high for Myanmar so I would recommend staying in Nyaung-U which means is walkign distance to the night life.
It is nice to hang out in Old Bagan. There is really famous veggie cafe which is in Lonely Planet called 'The Moon' but we liked the one across the street called Yar+Pyi because the owner and his family were really friendly and they served gauc and pop (gaucamole and popadoms); indian spice flavoured guacamole with popadoms. We stayed in here for hours having iced coffees, juices and escaping the mid-day sun.
Temple hunting - hire a moped and go full throttle in the dark at 5am to hunt for the perfect temple to get the classic sunrise shot. As we were not close our chosen temple, North Guni, it was a race against time to get there before sunrise, which was very exciting and made me feel like I was in Indiana Jones. We had no clue where we were going and were just following smaller and smaller tracks. It was one of the most thrilling things I have done in my life. It felt like a proper adventure.
If you are getting the boat from Bagan to Mandalay the boat goes from Jetty Street which is closer to this area also. You need to leave at 5.30am which is early but you get so see the river lit by moonlight and experience sunrise which is pretty sweet.
Balloons over bagan - www.balloonsoverbagan.com
It's a popular thing to take a hot air ballon over Bagan but is $320. Ouch!
We stayed in New Bagan which is a bit further away from the part where tourists stay and cost us 15,000 kyat return in a taxi each night to go to the main restaurants area. This is quite high for Myanmar so I would recommend staying in Nyaung-U which means is walkign distance to the night life.
It is nice to hang out in Old Bagan. There is really famous veggie cafe which is in Lonely Planet called 'The Moon' but we liked the one across the street called Yar+Pyi because the owner and his family were really friendly and they served gauc and pop (gaucamole and popadoms); indian spice flavoured guacamole with popadoms. We stayed in here for hours having iced coffees, juices and escaping the mid-day sun.
Temple hunting - hire a moped and go full throttle in the dark at 5am to hunt for the perfect temple to get the classic sunrise shot. As we were not close our chosen temple, North Guni, it was a race against time to get there before sunrise, which was very exciting and made me feel like I was in Indiana Jones. We had no clue where we were going and were just following smaller and smaller tracks. It was one of the most thrilling things I have done in my life. It felt like a proper adventure.
If you are getting the boat from Bagan to Mandalay the boat goes from Jetty Street which is closer to this area also. You need to leave at 5.30am which is early but you get so see the river lit by moonlight and experience sunrise which is pretty sweet.
Balloons over bagan - www.balloonsoverbagan.com
It's a popular thing to take a hot air ballon over Bagan but is $320. Ouch!
Places to go
Vondel Park on bike. You can get a bike for 5 euros a day from Mike's bikes which is on Kerkstraat.
Albert Cupyt for a massive food and bits and pieces market.
Jordaan for cafes and to see cool houses. There are a few cool brown pubs in this area, as they call them, which are the old school style pubs. These all sell strong Belgium beers which are quite common in Amsterdam. La Chouffe is a good one but will knock your socks off.
De Pijp is nice area just out of central with lots of bars, cafes and restaurants. Locals and ex-pats live here and it is really busy. It's quite hipster but then again so it most of Amsterdam.
The 9 Streets - this has lots of boutique clothes shops and some nice cafes. My favourite clothes shop is Velour which has nicely curated selection of clothes.
Albert Cupyt for a massive food and bits and pieces market.
Jordaan for cafes and to see cool houses. There are a few cool brown pubs in this area, as they call them, which are the old school style pubs. These all sell strong Belgium beers which are quite common in Amsterdam. La Chouffe is a good one but will knock your socks off.
De Pijp is nice area just out of central with lots of bars, cafes and restaurants. Locals and ex-pats live here and it is really busy. It's quite hipster but then again so it most of Amsterdam.
The 9 Streets - this has lots of boutique clothes shops and some nice cafes. My favourite clothes shop is Velour which has nicely curated selection of clothes.
Yangon
We flew into Yangon from Bangkok. The best thing here is the huge gold Pagoda and Stupors with around 1200 buddha's everywhere! It's supposed to be the best in the country.
Yangon is all on a grid system so you can get around easily. The street food is the best food we had on the trip and cheap. There is a lot of Indian food here as there are influences from all neighbouring countries: Thailand, Indian, China etc so you get a bit of everything.
People don't speak that much English but really appreciate you trying to say a few things. Mingalarba - hello, jeez-zu-bey - an informal thanks, the longer word for 'thanks' has too many syllables to remember! Nic-cow-la is 'how are you' and you need the reply 'gundy' which means good, which you can also say if you like the food.
Yangon is all on a grid system so you can get around easily. The street food is the best food we had on the trip and cheap. There is a lot of Indian food here as there are influences from all neighbouring countries: Thailand, Indian, China etc so you get a bit of everything.
People don't speak that much English but really appreciate you trying to say a few things. Mingalarba - hello, jeez-zu-bey - an informal thanks, the longer word for 'thanks' has too many syllables to remember! Nic-cow-la is 'how are you' and you need the reply 'gundy' which means good, which you can also say if you like the food.
Ngapali
Ngapali is a beautiful beach which is very different to the rest of Myanmar. If you have enjoyed being culturally a million miles away from Western culture then you may not feel the need to visit here especially if you are travelling rather than on holiday as the prices are high and will eat up your funds quickly.
Lonely Planet is a bit out of date on the ATM/ cash machine front. There are cash machine at Amazing Beach Hotel, Bay View, Jade Marina and Amada. Beware they charge 6500 kyat which is a loads for Myanmar so you really need to adjust to the prices here. Taxis are expensive here and it's not really a place for solo travellers as there were mostly couples and no hostel to hang out in, but if you jump on a bike you can go and meet the locals and be very chilled here.
At first I stayed at Merciel which was very nice and had a pool but was a bit too far from the main affair for me.
I would say the best place to stay is in Lin Thar village where your hotel opens on to the beach.
Mento or Lin thar Oo were reasonably priced and you more or less have breakfast on the beach which is what this is all about. There are mega fancy places which are a very high standard but really expensive, so it depends if you want to treat yourself or not.
If you want to stay online Oreedooo is the best 3G network here, Telenor does not really work.
A new hospital is being built so the area must be benefitting from tourism so this is good for the locals and the job market.
There are many fish restaurants on the front which all serve fresh fish daily so this should definitely be something you should eat while here. Red snapper, barracudo, lobster and king Prawns seem pretty common with veg and salads. The menus seems to have some Thai influence also.
There isn't a going out scene as such, this is more a have dinner and go to bed place which makes it perfect for a rest.
Brunch and food places
Amsterdam is all about cafes and brunch places and loads of new ones are opening that are pretty nice, stylish hangs out full of good looking people.
Coffee and Coconuts - De Pijp
This is new and on the Centerbaaum.
Dignitas
It is near Vondel park but the end away from central.
(Mutha fuckin') Gs - Jordaan
This is a cool spot for brunch. It's got character and is in a cool area.
Winkel - Noordermarkt
This is potentially the best apple pie you will ever have, served with real whipped cream. It's quite big so if you are not that hungry then just share it. You can get coffee as well as beer here. This place is always busy as it's a famous place to go in Amsterdam. It's located near the Noordermarkt so you can go to the market and then go to one of the other good cafe/bars around there. Finch or Cafe Proust are pretty good and serve food.
Soup en Zo - all over
If you want to grab something fresh, quickly you can grab some soup or a salad from this place. It has loads of varieties of fresh soup which changes daily. There are now a few branches dotted around the city.
Kaaskamer - 9 Streets
Of course the Dutch are partial to a cheese sandwich or two, daily, so you can go to the Kaas kamer in the Nine Streets to experience some serious Dutch cheese.
It means 'Cheese Room' which is apt as it is literally a room full of cheese!
D&A - Jordaan
A really nice Lebanese brunch/lunch place selling delicious hummus inspired meat and veg dishes with lots of flavour. Nice surroundings and near Winkels.
Foodhallen - off the Kinkerstraat, West
This place is great for lunch and beers. There's loads of choice so everyone is happy, it's a bit pricey but it has a good vibe and is good for a hang out. There are also loads of crafts and designers around there so all in all a pretty good place.
Coffee and Coconuts - De Pijp
This is new and on the Centerbaaum.
Dignitas
It is near Vondel park but the end away from central.
(Mutha fuckin') Gs - Jordaan
This is a cool spot for brunch. It's got character and is in a cool area.
Winkel - Noordermarkt
This is potentially the best apple pie you will ever have, served with real whipped cream. It's quite big so if you are not that hungry then just share it. You can get coffee as well as beer here. This place is always busy as it's a famous place to go in Amsterdam. It's located near the Noordermarkt so you can go to the market and then go to one of the other good cafe/bars around there. Finch or Cafe Proust are pretty good and serve food.
Soup en Zo - all over
If you want to grab something fresh, quickly you can grab some soup or a salad from this place. It has loads of varieties of fresh soup which changes daily. There are now a few branches dotted around the city.
Kaaskamer - 9 Streets
Of course the Dutch are partial to a cheese sandwich or two, daily, so you can go to the Kaas kamer in the Nine Streets to experience some serious Dutch cheese.
It means 'Cheese Room' which is apt as it is literally a room full of cheese!
D&A - Jordaan
A really nice Lebanese brunch/lunch place selling delicious hummus inspired meat and veg dishes with lots of flavour. Nice surroundings and near Winkels.
Foodhallen - off the Kinkerstraat, West
This place is great for lunch and beers. There's loads of choice so everyone is happy, it's a bit pricey but it has a good vibe and is good for a hang out. There are also loads of crafts and designers around there so all in all a pretty good place.
Restaurants
Fou Fow Ramen - central, near the canals
On Elansgracht which is near Princengracht so pretty central. It is run by Japanese people and looks pretty stylish but simple. It gets quite busy so you might need to put your name on a list.
Bazaar - De Pijp
This is on Albert Cuytstraat and it is a really big restaurant for Amsterdam. I find a lot of the good ones can be quite small and book up very quickly so last minute dinners can be tricky, so if you have a big group and don't want to book then you are usually in luck here.
It's Turkish food which is really good, the decor is pretty kitch and it's pretty lively so there is always a good vibe.
Cafe de Klos - central, near the canals
Go to this place for an awesome massive meat fest. Don't expect to be able to walk or go out dancing afterwards though. It is here which is close to the canals. You might need to queue to get in but you can put your name down and go for a beer across the road as the two places are linked or help each other out. They call you when your table is ready and you seamlessly move to your spot effortlessly.
Choux
This place is North of the station near the water. Not been but told it's good.
Wilde zwijnen
In the East and also suppose to be really good.
Hotel De Goudfazant
Again supposed to be good but not been yet. You need to book as they don't take last minute bookings usually.
REM Eiland
This is a fancy looking place here.
It is close to the sea in the North and looks pretty cool. It is a close to a place called Pont 13 which is suppose to be good for a drink beforehand.
On Elansgracht which is near Princengracht so pretty central. It is run by Japanese people and looks pretty stylish but simple. It gets quite busy so you might need to put your name on a list.
Bazaar - De Pijp
This is on Albert Cuytstraat and it is a really big restaurant for Amsterdam. I find a lot of the good ones can be quite small and book up very quickly so last minute dinners can be tricky, so if you have a big group and don't want to book then you are usually in luck here.
It's Turkish food which is really good, the decor is pretty kitch and it's pretty lively so there is always a good vibe.
Cafe de Klos - central, near the canals
Go to this place for an awesome massive meat fest. Don't expect to be able to walk or go out dancing afterwards though. It is here which is close to the canals. You might need to queue to get in but you can put your name down and go for a beer across the road as the two places are linked or help each other out. They call you when your table is ready and you seamlessly move to your spot effortlessly.
Choux
This place is North of the station near the water. Not been but told it's good.
Wilde zwijnen
In the East and also suppose to be really good.
Hotel De Goudfazant
Again supposed to be good but not been yet. You need to book as they don't take last minute bookings usually.
REM Eiland
This is a fancy looking place here.
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