27.11-2014 Myanmar, Yangon, day 9

Morjens (=hello in Finnish)

Bus stop at Yangon 

First I need to say about the Internet connections. At the last Yacht hotel, the internet worked at least 50% of time decently. Current hotel internet works 10% of time, mostly at night time. So my updates can come pretty late from now on unless something is fixed. It looks like provider is not very reliable as the hotel connection seems working but provider don't let hotel through to internet.

We got up early this morning and had breakfast at hotel cafe which is the famous 365 Cafe connected to Thamada Hotel. They have four different breakfast set selections and I chose to try "A" this morning. It is ”European set”, having coffee or tea, orange juice, 2 fried eggs, toast  and Marmalade. I am still in the mood, where I miss Finnish coffee. I am sure it will pass soon :)

After breakfast we headed to downtown  to the Mahar Bandula Park Street or the ”Bar Lane”. On the way we saw lot of street stalls selling brunch snacks like:

Samosa thoke

Myanmar pancake with tomato and jaggery

Pancakes with poppy seeds or coconut slices

Street is the famous old electronic importers street at "old times". Today this street is still full of small household electronics shops, guest houses, restaurants and bars.

Selection of reading and sun classes. "Price is right".

Street has also lot of small guesthouses "without window" but the price is more affordable than the bigger hotels around town.

Grand Royal hotel was "royal" looking the prices but not inside.

Room price list

Myanmar Golden Land guest house

Another guest house

We had a good look different shops, got myself another pair of slippers and went to have lunch at the Japanese owned Japanese restaurant ANAIMO.

Japanese restaurant ANAIMO

Japanese owner at right

Lunch menu

Chopsticks

"Saba" fish set lunch

BBQ chicken set lunch

BBQ chicken and salad

Tofu with ginger

Green salad with seaweed

Mushroom pickles

Miso soup

Salad with majonese

Saba, "fish"

After luch was over we headed back the busy streets at downtown.

It sure doesn't rain but the umbrellas...

Downtown street view

Under constructions

Bar & Bar

Construction fence side is well used for business

All unused walls have food or other vendors

Yangon downtown street view

Street view

After having a break, we went out for dinner at evening with some more relatives and two Chinese business men, visiting just other side from Myanmar-China border. So naturally we had a Chinese banquet dinner with rotating table. And the Chinese style dining, all the food is placed to the middle of table, where everyone can take whatever they like. "Me like"

Mushroom salad

Roasted, salted peanuts

Pork and broccoli "Hongkong" style

Giant prawns

Fish with soy sauce

Fried Eel

 And we naturally had Peking Duck that was cut next to our table.

Peking duck skin and some meat

Tomorrow we visit near by supermarket and at evening I go out with some Finnish friends.

Later all,

Pasi

26.11-2014 Myanmar, Yangon, day 8

Mingalaba,

Thamada hotel

Today went by fast with moving hotel, getting settled in to new one and just hanging around, not going anywhere. At morning after breakfast we start packing and well before 11am, I settled the bill. First week in the "5 star" hotel end up costing as much as I will probably pay over 2 weeks in current one. However the service was very good and everything seemed to work relatively well.

One thing I have not been talking about yet has been the food quality. We have now been a week here and me, as European, should have all kind of stomach problems but only thing I have noticed was first days slightly faster bowel movements and after that no problems. Having this different bacteria selection comparing to Finnish food, I am a bit surprised. However my tolerance to strange foods has always been quite high after surviving 10 years in Asia at 1986-1996.

So we selected Thamada hotel to stay rest of the trip. After checking about 10 different hotels around town, the reasons were the cost, location and that they provided "expat room" with separate kitchen, living room and bedroom. In this place we actually have some room to have visitors and we don't need to go to eat out every time unless we want to.

Small picture selection of our room:

Kitchen with micro and fridge

Living room

Living room with sofas and TV

Bathroom

Bathroom with bathtub

Bedroom with TV

Kingsize bed

Tomorrow we are walking around the hotel, checking the services and restaurants. At evening we have a dinner with some friends and relatives. Friday is the boys night out ;)

Pasi

25.11-2014 Myanmar, Yangon, day 7

Dear friends,

First week is behind and lot of has been happening, many things seen and hours and hours spent in Yangon traffic.

This morning at breakfast had a discussion with some Finns that are working here and their experience with cost level, traffic and housing have been similar as mine. Lot of prices are currently inflated due to the "high season" and recent ASEAN meeting, where also President Obama had a short visit. On the positive side, I heard that the money transfers in EUROs are working and it arrives here in 3-4 working days from Finland. USD seems still to be problematic and not recommended.

Small street on the way to Scott market

After leaving the hotel we headed to Bogyoke (Scott) Market that is one of the oldest and most famous in town.

Street vendor selling fresh fruits

 Grasshoppers sold on street as local delicasy

Small birds in cage

Burmese green vegetables

Scott market area

Market is full of jewelry and gold shops

At the market, we went first to eat at the local "restasurant" in to U Kwet porkstick and noodle shop. The place has been for there for over 30 years and the recipes and food are still the same. I recommend to try if you happen to be in Scott market.

 My wife and her niece at U Kwet porkstick and noodle shop

Chicken salad with local sauce

Noodle with pork

Local delicacies

Lime juice

Fresh vegetable spring roll

After late lunch,  we headed to the middle of the market.

Central hall in Scott market full of Jewelry and gold shops

From local silk store, I bought four shirts that are more suitable to Myanmar tropical weather.

Traditional Burmese men shirt

Very light linen shirt

After some more shopping we had a coffee and fresh fruit drinks at the Bar Boon, building next door to Scott market at the Parkson Department store.

Bar Boon coffee shop. 

We also visited the Parkson Department store that has imported branded products and then took the taxi back to hotel.

Second hand  "stall" on the street going out from Scott market

Locals having tea and chat with friends

As tomorrow is the moving day, we retired to bed early. Wednesday we will move from the Yacht hotel to Thamada hotel. That should be our last "home" on this trip at Myanmar, unless something happens that changes our plans. Hotel is paid in advance for the month anyway so we're sure will be over Christmas there. Best thing about moving to new location is that it is center of town and it is much more convenient to go around, even without the car. Coming days will be more walking around and less sitting in the car. I have also better opportunities to take photos around Yangon. I plan to make special blog about transportation systems in Town, so stay tuned for more daily blog from Myanmar.

Pasi