Category: Myanmar and Thailand 2019
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Koh Chang
Koh Chang has surprised us as far as Thai islands are concerned. There’s no doubt about it, Thailand is definitely not off the beaten track territory, particularly as far as Bangkok and most of the major islands are concerned. Whilst hardly undiscovered, Koh Chang is nowhere near as commercialised as I expected. Sure, it has…
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Bangkok – again
It’s very interesting how one’s perspective on virtually anything is swayed by both past and recent experiences. Two people could walk down a street, see the same things yet have different feelings and totally different viewpoints regarding their experience. And so it was with Bangkok. Flashing, neon signs everywhere made it look like something out…
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Ngapali/Yangon
Despite his injuries, Steve did manage to enjoy the rest of our stay . We even hired some bikes to explore the tip of Ngapali. The road is pretty and lined with palm trees and greenery. At The end of the road is a fishing village where the fish caught is either dried or packed…
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Ngapali- Trouble in paradise
It was all going too well. Upgraded to a much nicer room, fantastic weather and scenery, delicious seafood and great company. Could life get any better? No. It couldn’t. After a dire but fun game of billiards with J and N, ( they won, they would definitely want me to tell you that) followed by…
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Yangon/Ngapali
On our last evening in Yangon we all went to live the high life and had cocktails at the Governor’s Residence. A beautiful colonial building, it is a homage to days gone by, with teak staircases, boxes of Monte Cristo cigars in cabinets and rattan sofas. The cocktails were very imaginative and packed a punch.…
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Yangon
For those of you who are worried we are all lying in hospital beds, hooked up to intravenous drips, we are fine. Thanks for your concern. And messages wishing us well. Not. I’ll put it out there straight away, I’m not bowled over by Yangon. Just the drive from the airport to our hotel was…
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Return to Mandalay day 2
Steve and I decided to have a bit of a leg stretch and walk to Mandalay Hill. As it was a Sunday, there seemed to be plenty of young young ladies milling about in their best longyis, taking selfies. The walkway alongside the palace moat was a popular background to show off their loveliness. The…
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The River to Mandalay
Getting up at 4am is something I avoid like the plague. I once read a magazine article about someone who tried to be a milkman but gave it up after 3 weeks because he couldn’t stand the early starts. I don’t think I’d have lasted 3 days. But needs must and the journey to Mandalay…
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Taung Kalat -Mount Popa monastery/ Taung Ma-gyi The real Mount Popa
Obviously we couldn’t just look at mount popa and it’s picturesque temple from afar, we needed to get up close and personal. The temple is a shrine to 37 nats, spirits that are worshipped alongside Buddha. They form the legends that underpin Myanmar’s ancient culture. I had already looked at a few blogs on climbing…
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Bagan/Mount Popa
Today we moved on to Mount Popa, a designated national park area, about an hour’s drive east of Bagan. We had a little bit of trouble getting a taxi to our destination. The app equivalent of Uber didn’t come up with anything and a contact Jan and Nik had found wanted silly money. The hotel…
Middle-aged flash packers 