Monday, August 13, 2012

Myanmar: Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay & Sagaing

Relatively isolated for many years from tourists, Myanmar (Burma) is fast opening its doors to the outside world. One must experience Myanmar before foreign visitors make a mad rush to this beautiful country of ancient cities, golden pagodas, and interesting rural communities.

I spent eight days in Myanmar. But that was not enough to really experience Myanmar's big four destinations namely Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle (Inlay) Lake. In Mandalay, you can visit historic sites in Innwa (Ava), Amarapura and Paleik, plus Sagaing, Mingun and Monywa in the neighboring Sagaing Region.

For more information on preparing for a trip to Myanmar, read Travel tips you must know before traveling to Myanmar (Burma).

Here are photos from my recent trip to Myanmar:
July 18-19 - Yangon, Myanmar
July 20 - Mandalay and Sagaing, Myanmar
July 21 - Mandalay, Myanmar
July 22 - Inle Lake, Myanmar
July 24 - Bagan, Myanmar
July 25-26 - Yangon, Myanmar Yangon, Myanmar

Monday, August 06, 2012

Myanmar: Travel tips you must know before traveling to Burma

Myanmar (Burma) is a country of golden pagodas and palaces, and beautiful cultural landscapes where mountain lakes play host to thriving and colorful rural communities. At the very least, you have to see Myanmar's big four: Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle (Inlay) Lake. It's been relatively isolated from the major tourist routes. But things are changing really quick as the country starts welcoming more visitors.

Here are a few tips to get you by. Note that information may change as Myanmar's banking sector catches up with the global standards.

1. Apply for your Myanmar visa before flying there
Update: Philippine passport holders can now fly to Myanmar visa free

While Myanmar offers visa on arrival for certain nationalities (but with required invitation letters) at the Yangon International Airport, you have to apply for your visa before flying to Myanmar, particularly if you are flying there for tourism purposes. They can be very strict. In fact, my return flight to KL was a bit delayed since we had to wait for a deported passenger who did not have the required visa. Besides, the visa on arrival is granted only if you're going to Myanmar to attend a meeting or event or there on business. And it's twice the price of a visa from the embassy.

The Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the Philippines is located at the 8/F Gervasia Corporate Center, Amorsolo Street, Makati City. You can contact them at +63(2) 8931944 or 8123644. You will need to bring a valid passport (meaning more that six months before expiry), a photocopy of the first page of the passport, two passport size photos and a CD with a soft copy of the passport photo. At the embassy, you will fill out an application form and sign a waiver that you will not write or publish anything against the Myanmar government.

After submitting your requirements, you will need to deposit the US$20 visa fee at the Bank of China, Philam Life Tower, 8767 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City (Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, US$ Account No. 003419 2221 014. You bring your deposit slip on the day of release of your visa which is usually after three working days.

2. Cash only
Passengers who do not know that there are no international ATMs or credit card facilities are shocked to find out about this when they land in Myanmar. As of this writing, there is really no way to obtain cash in Myanmar. And many passengers without funds are forced to fly to Thailand to withdraw money. This may change soon though as the banking sector is fast-tracking the necessary infrastructure to be able to offer ATM and credit card services to foreigners. But for now, it's only cash.

Also note that your dollar bills should be new and crisp, have no markings whatsoever, and have no folds or creases. I was surprised to find out that only two of my dollar bills were accepted at the airport bank. Although other money changers and your hotel will probably be more lenient about the markings (note that most US dollar bills in the Philippines have stamped numbers). But they won't be lenient with the creases and folds.

You also have to remember to bring small US dollar denominations such as US$1, 5, 10 and 20 which you will use for hotel payments and entrance fees at pagodas and other sites. The local currency called kyat, you use for everything else.

3. Change money at the airport
Most of the travel sites and blogs that you've read must have warned you not to change money at the airport. But things have changed and the banking industry has transformed much in the past year. My local Myanmar friends actually told me that it's best to have my money changed at the airport. And they were right.

The current exchange rate is something like MMK875 per US$1. At the airport, I got MMK873 per US$1. At hotels and money changers, it would range from MMK830 to 870 per US$1. Hotels actually offer the worst exchange rate in my experience. Too bad they only accepted two of my bills at the airport. The only better rate I saw was at a money changer at the Bogyoke Aung San Market. But not much of a difference with the airport rate.

4. Do not change money on the street
Don't be fooled by people on the street offering very attractive rates. These are scams. You give them a US$100 bill and they ask for another one saying that the bill you gave has something wrong with it. While you look for another bill, they make a quick switch, and your US$100 bill disappears without you noticing as they return to you a US$1 bill. There is really no reason for you not to exchange money at a bank since they offer good rates now.

5. Buy a local sim at the airport
If you need to have phone access in Myanmar, you should buy a local sim card at the airport. It's one of the few places you can buy a sim card for foreigners. In Yangon, I could not send outgoing SMS. Outside Yangon, there is totally no signal for Philippine mobile networks. When I got back in Yangon, I never got my signal back.

6. Book accommodation for your first night
I'm the type who'd usually look for accommodation when I'm already there. But Yangon hotels and guest houses (the ones found online at least) tend to be full since there are not that many. So it's best to book your first night. There are actually many choices for budget accommodation. But unfortunately, many of the budget options are not online. So you can only contact them by phone.

I stayed at a family-run guest house in Bagan and spent US$12 for an airconditioned room with attached toilet. In Inle Lake, I spent US$10 for a fan room with toilet. In Mandalay, I spent US$13 for an airconditioned room at a one star hotel. Yangon turned out to be the most expensive.

7. Purchase your bus tickets from your hotel
While some try their luck at Aung San Stadium thinking that they will get tickets cheaper there, usually the opposite happens. Most hotels offer convenience, reliable bus companies and better deals. So it's best to purchase a bus ticket from them. If you are looking for VIP buses, Mandalar Minn has a VIP service between Yangon and Mandalay with spacious seats and includes a light dinner and many other amenities and services. However, that's the only route with those kinds of seats.

Note also that the bus station in Yangon is very far, about 45 minutes away. And taxis can cost between MMK8,000 to 12,000 depending on your haggling skills. When going to Inle Lake, you will be dropped off at the Shwe Nyaung Junction and will need to hire a taxi from there (about MMK8,000 per taxi). You can opt to wait and share a taxi with other travelers who are also going the Nyaung Shwe, the jump-off point for Inle Lake. I paid MMK3,000 for a motorbike ride from the Mandalay Bus Station to town, and a horse cart ride from Nyaung U Bus Station to my guest house on the way to Old Bagan.

8. Get ready to get your feet dirty
Ditch the shoes and wear slippers since you'll be required to take them off at almost every religious site as a sign of respect. Note also that the floor or ground of these sites are not exactly clean and you'll literally get your feet dirty. So those foot spas will have to wait until you get back home.

9. Wear proper clothing
Best to wear jeans, pants or a long skirt for the ladies. But if you really can't live without shorts, make sure they are beyond the knees. To remedy the situation, you can also purchase a longyi (the local sarong) and wrap it around when entering the pagodas. Also remember, no exposed shoulders.

10. Hiring your own transportation is essential
To get around, it might be best to hire a motorcycle with driver (if you are alone) or a taxi for groups or for those who are not used to riding on a motorcycle. They save you a lot of time since they know where to take you and also serve as your basic guide. Unfortunately, you won't be able to take regular public transportation to the sites in places like Manadalay and Bagan. So you will really need to get your own transportation to maximize your visit.

In Mandalay, the motorcycle with driver rate I got is MMK12,000 within Mandalay and MMK15,000 for sites outside Mandalay. Also had to pay an extra MMK5,000 to be taken by motorcycle to Innwa since it requires a boat trip and renting a horse cart which would cost more.

In Bagan, motorcycles for foreigners are not allowed. So your only options are a bike, horse cart or a taxi. If you're used to biking, that would be a good option only if you have a good map since the trails are not clearly marked. Hiring a horse cart or taxi saves you a lot of time.

In Inle (Inlay) Lake, you will have to hire a boat for the day. I spent MMK15,000 for the whole day.

Hope these ten tips help you plan your trip to Myanmar (Burma). Do visit my Myanmar photo albums in the Ivan About Town Facebook page for some ideas of places to visit:

July 18-19 - Yangon, Myanmar
July 20 - Mandalay and Sagaing, Myanmar
July 21 - Mandalay, Myanmar
July 22 - Inle Lake, Myanmar
July 24 - Bagan, Myanmar
July 25-26 - Yangon, Myanmar Yangon, Myanmar

Monday, July 30, 2012

Sri Lanka: Esala Perahera Festival 2012 in the Sacred City of Kandy

When I booked my flights to Sri Lanka late last year, I hadn't the slightest clue that the dates I had selected were during Esala Perahera 2012 in the Sacred City of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Esaha Perahera is the grandest Buddhist procession of Sri Lanka where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha is displayed and brought around Kandy in several nightly processions in July and August with much pomp and pageantry.

The procession during the first night of Randoli Parahera lasted almost three hours with hundreds of dancers, musicians and participants, and dozens of elephants in ceremonial robes with lights. In the photo, an elephant (tusker) carries the Ransivige, a golden casket containing the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. As it passes by, the seated crowd stands up in respect and prayer. Watch out for posts on Sri Lanka. In the meantime, check out more photos @ivanhenares in Instagram.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Kicking off Mabuhay Miles’ 10th anniversary

Php100,000 and 100,000 Mabuhay Miles from PNB and Allied Bank's My Perfect Ten Buy

Mabuhay Miles MasterCard is giving away hundreds of thousand pesos and hundreds of thousand Mabuhay Miles! What a way to kick off Mabuhay Miles' 10th anniversary.

With the My Perfect 10 Buy promo, one can win as much as Php100,000 and 100,000 Mabuhay Miles. It’s very simple, just share with us on video a very meaningful purchase and let us know why it’s so significant.


To join the contest, simply follow these instructions: 1) Go to and 'like' the Mabuhay Miles MasterCard Facebook page; 2) Launch the “My Perfect 10 Buy” application tab; 3) Fill in the registration form; 4) Read the mechanics; and 5) Submit a 30-second to two-minute video sharing your most valuable purchase through Mabuhay Miles MasterCard. It’s very easy. Check-out how Mark Cahatol and other cardholders did their videos at http://bit.ly/OME2bd.

Make sure to invite your friend to view your video entry and rate it. The more video entries you submit, the more chances of winning. Just remember to feature different purchases and products in every video.

Ten (10) winners will be picked from all the entries. The top three (3) winning entries will receive the amount of the purchased item or P100,000 (whichever is lower) plus 100,000 Mabuhay Miles. The fourth to sixth winning entries shall receive the amount of the purchased item or P50,000 (whichever is lower) plus 50,000 Mabuhay Miles. The seventh to ninth winning entries shall receive the amount of the purchased item or P30,000 (whichever is lower) plus 30,000 Mabuhay Miles. The tenth winning entry shall receive the amount of the purchased item or P10,000 (whichever is lower) plus 10,000 Mabuhay Miles. All prizes shall be credited to the winner’s Allied Bank/PNB Mabuhay Miles MasterCard. Miles are non-transferable and not convertible to cash.

For more information on promo guidelines, visit the Mabuhay Miles MasterCard Facebook page. This nationwide promo is open to all Mabuhay Miles MasterCard cardholders and will run until August 15, 2012 only.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Taiwan: Food trip in Taipei's Shilin Night Market

Back to my Taiwan trip last June. After checking-in, we went straight to the Shilin Night Market for some shopping. Taipei has a very distinct night market subculture. It's a place where you can meet up with friends or spend some idle time with the various activities there. But I was more excited with the hawker food which Taipei's night markets are very known for.

We went straight to business and went on a food tasting spree. Like in previous trips, I had to have stinky tofu! The oyster pancakes are good as well. And make sure to try the fried chicken patties at the entrance of the market. I'll let the photos do the talking. If you're in Taipei, make sure to try out the food at the various night markets.

Thank you to EVA Airways and Jeron Travel for inviting me to join their familiarization tour to Taiwan. More on Taiwan in the next few weeks, particularly the spectacular Taroko Gorge and Hualien.

In the meantime, check out my photos of Taipei in the Ivan About Town FB page.
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