Thursday afternoon we are on our way to Schiphol airport Amsterdam from where we fly directly to Bangkok with KLM. In the Netherlands it is really cold autumn weather. We feel lucky returning to the fair warm temperatures and the great food, my wife has been nervous for weeks to see her family again, even though it is short because of all our travel plans. Ancient temples, pristine jungle areas, some of the world’s friendliest people, cheap beer, mountains and beaches this is the ultimate travel guide to Thailand and Myanmar Donderdagmiddag zijn we onderweg naar Schiphol vanwaar we met KLM direct naar Bangkok vliegen. In Nederland is het echt herfst weer we hebben er zin aan om de eerlijke warme temperaturen weer op te zoeken en het geweldige eten, mijn vrouw is al weken zenuwachtig om haar familie weer te kunnen zien al is het kort door al onze reisplannen. Oude tempels, ongerepte jungle gebieden, enkele van ‘s werelds vriendelijkste mensen, spotgoedkoop bier bergen en stranden dit is de ultieme reisgids naar Thailand Myanmar Jomtien / Pattaya After a flight of 11 hours, we arrive in Bangkok where we at our big surprise within an hour outside the terminal by our […]
As one of the least visited countries in Southeast Asia, any trip to Myanmar is sure to sure to feel a bit off-the-beaten track. You’ll find ancient temples and monasteries, beautiful handicrafts to take home as souvenirs, and in many ways, a culture and way of life that’s remains relatively unchained for centuries. But in addition to these iconic religious and cultural sites, there are tons of unique things to do in Myanmar to ensure that you have an authentic, intimate, and culturally-rich adventure. For first time visits, most travelers will make their way through Myanmar’s most popular tourist destinations: Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, and Inle Lake. Thankfully, none of these cities and towns have yet been overtaken by the tourism industry, so you’ll be sure to have authentic cultural experiences alongside locals anywhere you go. However, if you’re looking for things to do in each destination that are a bit unexpected, consider adding these activities to your Myanmar itinerary. For my complete Myanmar Guide, download my latest e-book! Yangon: Ride The Circular Train A far cry from a luxurious mode of tourist transit, the Circular Train (or Circular Railway) is as gritty as it gets, and was one of […]
Patagonia: An Unmissable Destination For Cross-Country Skiing in Argentina Original Writer – Hugo Garnier (French Language) Translated by May Malar Win Argentina is a perfect destination for cross-country skiing. In general, it has many sites where you combine adventure and the pleasure of skiing. Patagonia is a must for ski touring. This region offers impressive hiking tours through vast spaces and picturesque landscapes. Lakes, mountain villages, forests and wild nature are within easy reach. Here is an idea of itinerary to give you an overview of the journey. Ski Touring around Bariloche After your arrival in Buenos Aires, join San Carlos de Bariloche, the capital of Patagonia. This town is well located at the foot of the Andes mountains, on the South coast of Lake Nahuel Huapi and in the park and near the ski slopes. Located at 764 meters above sea level, it is set in a landscape of mountains, lakes, forests and rivers surrounded by numerous high peaks of the Andes. To discover the wealth of the region, head for Cerro Catedral, the largest ski area on the continent. It is 20 km from the city and has 103 km of slopes located at an altitude between 1,000 […]
The World’s Largest Book The Kuthodaw Pagoda or Maha Lawka Marazein Paya is located at the base of the southeast stairways to Mandalay Hill and was built by King Mindon at the same time he was constructing the Royal Palace. Its central stupa is modeled on the Shwezigon at Nyaung U near Bagan. The Charity Group of the Hotel by the Red Canal, Mandalay painted the campus of the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as World’s Largest Book Heritage site on 11.11.2016.They announced at the Hotel social media page that anyone who wishes to join them in helping preserve one of the most important monuments in Mandalay. The stupa itself, connected to the outside entry by means of a long corridor, is set in the middle of a thirteen acre field of 729 pitaka pagodas or shrines (Dama Cetis). Each shrine contains a marble slab, inscribed on both sides with the Pali script text of a portion the Tipitaka (Pali spelling, or Tripitaka, in Sanskrit), Theravada Buddhism’s sacred texts. Taken together, they contain the entire text of the Tipitaka and thus form “the world’s largest book.” The slabs were carved from white Sagyin Hill marble found just a few miles north of […]
Mandalay is located 716 km North of Yangon. It was the royal capital of the last two kings of Myanmar, and is the cultural and religious centre of Buddhism. The city is also famous for its traditional crafts. Mandalay has a tropical wet and dry climate. The Mandalay streets are laid out in a grid system, and are numbered east to west (up to 49th) and north to south (over 50th).Addresses show the block where the building is located by giving the main street which it is on and the streets which is between: for example, 56th (between 19th and 20th Street). There are Six Townships, namely Aung Myae Thar San, Chan Aye Thar San, Mahar Aung Myay, Chan Mya Thar Si, Pyi Gyi Tagon and Amarapura. Moreover, Mandalay is well known for its pagodas and historical buildings; Maha Muni Pagoda, Maha Thatkya Thiha Pagoda, Shwe Kyee Myin Pagoda, Sanda Muni Pagoda, Kutho Daw, Atu Mashi Monastery, Golden Palace Monastery, Mandalay Hill, Yankin Hill and U Bein Bridge. The heart of the city dominated by Zegyo market. The Clock Tower, built in 1903 to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. Eain Daw Yar Pagoda, a very popular pagoda known […]
Countries will surprise you. Like people, you think you understand their identity based on stories you read or images you view. Whether forming opinions from a 19th-century novel or a scandalous modern day tell all, an impressionist oil painting or series of poorly focused Trip Advisor member photos, humans have been unfairly judging places and each other, before we get to know them personally, for centuries. It’s an imperfect system. Yet it’s the one we have for making decisions on where we go, what we eat, and who we’ll see. And so it was for me with Myanmar. I thought I needed to go to this Asian country formerly known as Burma before the Chinese builders decimated any remaining “authentic” local character by rapidly tossing up bland, soulless construction projects to meet the surge in tourism. I thought Myanmar lacked the supermodel good looks of the California coast or the scenic gravitas of the Swiss Alps, but the chance to witness an intact culture before its inevitable full and tragic transition to all things Western, would provide worthwhile balance. Once I decided to go, suddenly I was in a rush to get there before it was “ruined,” but then wondered […]
Mandalay is the last stage of our fabulous trip in Myanmar. After visiting Yangon, treking in Kalaw mountains, meeting so many lovely local people, exploring Lake Inle and the temples of Bagan, we end in beauty our exploration of beautiful Myanmar in Mandalay, staying at Hotel By The Red Canal. A final step in Burma in a haven of peace The Hotel By The Red Canal is the perfect place to relax in an idyllic cocoon especially after two weeks of travel in an vibrant country like Myanmar. Hotel By The Red Canal in Mandalay is an institution and, in our opinion, the most relaxing and most comfortable option in the city. We tell you why. Mandalay is quite noisy and dusty with the traffic jams and habitual agitation so characteristic of the main cities of Southeast Asia, but the hotel By The Red Canal is a haven of peace, an urban oasis. Upon arrival we are charmed by the lush garden well maintained and the small pool that give a very exotic touch to the hotel. Flowers are everywhere ! After a warm welcome, we feel like being at home. We visit the hotel By The Red Canal and […]
Myanmar will always be a country that keeps enticing me to come back for more. Beneath its ancient surface hides a sense of wonderment that is hard to articulate into words. One of the highlights for me when travelling to Myanmar is getting to visit Bagan, an ancient city located in the heart of Myanmar.