10 Things About Myanmar (Yangon & Bagan)

Accommodation in Bagan : Royal Bagan Hotel, 1441 Anawrahta Rd, Nyaung U & Zfreeti Hotel, 5 Thiri Pyitsaya, Nyaung U
Length of stay : 5 days and 4 nights


1. I have to admit, the only thing why I'm in love with Myanmar is because the people are so nice! Their services are amazing and they're very helpful. And I have to say, after Japanese people, in my opinion, Burmese people are the nicest local people I've ever met!

2. Don't expect too much on Wi-Fi here, even in your hotel or some cafes, just buy local simcard either Ooredoo or Telenor for only 4500 - 6000 Kyat for couple of days. It's much easier if you buy it when you arrive at the airport.

3. The easiest transport is taxi. You have to bargain to go everywhere. Ask information desk or people at your hotel, the reasonable price to go somewhere. From Yangon International Airport to the city is about 8000 Kyat. And around the city maybe around 3000 - 5000. In Bagan, from the bus station to Nyaung U is about 8000, to the Airport from Nyaung U is around 5000 Kyat. When you want to explore Bagan, it's easier to rent transportation that is more comfortable for you. You can choose for taxi (half day around 25000), horse cart (half day 20000), or electronic scooter for 10000 a day.

4. You should try local food, especially Mohinga! I think one of the best Mohinga you can find in Feel Restaurant.  In Bagan, you can find food around Restaurant Road in Nyaung U area. But there are many good restaurants in New Bagan area too. Depends where are you staying. Since I stayed around Nyaung U, I can recommend you to try Black Bamboo and Weather Spoon. 

5. If you want to go by bus between cities, I recommend JJ Express. It looks like a business class for bus service. From Yangon to Bagan would cost around 19 USD or 26500 Kyat.

6. Bagan is actually a good place for sunrise and sunset chaser. You can get the best view to see the sun over the pagodas. Pagodas hopping are also good thing to do there.

7. I stayed in 2 places when I went to Bagan. Both were nice and have a good service. If I should choose, I prefer Royal Bagan for their services and Zfreeti for their facilities.

8. If you think Cappocadia is still out of reach, you can think about hot air balloon in Bagan then. I went with Balloon over Bagan. It's worth every penny!

9. Don't forget mosquito repellent! It's such important thing too. 

10. If you want to buy souvenirs, Bogyoke Aung San Market is the cheapest and good place in Yangon, and small market around Lawkananda Pagoda near the riverside in Bagan.

10 Things About Vientiane

Accommodation in Vientiane : iHouse, Pangkham Road, Water Fountain/Mekong River.
Length of stay : 2 days 1 night.


1. If you want to see everything in details, stay for minimum 3 days 2 nights. Mine was 1 night, and it was enough because I don't really want to go to every temples. Yes, lots of temples there.

2. You can only change your money to Lao Kip when you arrive there. Even money changer in Thailand don't have Lao Kip. So you just change at the Airport. My experience was difficulties to change Lao Kip FROM Singapore Dollar. Better bring USD so you can change anywhere. The only one Bank that has most of the money is Phongsavanh Bank, and it has branch at the Airport.

3. Better stay around Rue Setthathilath or Rue Samsenthai, because it's in the centre and almost everything in walking distance.

4. Always bargain for tuk tuk! If your Hotel has a bike rental, better go by bike, cheaper!

5. Going Buddha Park is a must. It's 45 to an hour from the city center. If you're too lazy or don't have so much time like me, prefer take a taxi, and ask your hotel about it and bargain the price. I got 300K Kip then it reduced to 280K Kip for round-trip. You can also going by bus 14 from the central station in front of Morning Market (Talat Sao). But then again, you still have to change tuktuk at Friendship Bridge. Believe me, don't ever try tuk tuk for the whole trip because it's quite bumpy, unless you're an adventurer.

6. Talat Sao also a good idea to find souvenirs and traditional cloth. Again, bargain everything!:D

7. I found it's quite difficult to find foods, since I need Halal food. Cafes are everywhere but their Menus are almost the same like Italian or Thai food. Benino cafe quite nice though. But if you want to explore culinary as well, Khop Chai Deu restaurant at Rue Setthathilath serves nice Lao Dishes menu. Even for me it tastes a bit similar to Thai food but you should try. For some menus you can even get free Laobeer or a shot of Lao Whisky.

8.  If you have some time, have a breakfast at Scandinavian Bakery, the eldest bakery in town. It has WiFi too.

9.  For coffee lovers, you should try Le Trio Coffee which is the first boutique coffee roaster in Vientiane. Nakes espresso is also recommended, too bad I didn't have much time to go there. Do visit on your way to Pha That Luang, it's quite near there. So many people Joma Bakery has a good coffee, but it was so so for me both coffee and their cakes.

10.  Explore along the way of Mekong River at night, lots of young local hang out there for running or just walking around. There was bazaar too, but I don't know exactly it was permanent or not, but it's open on weekdays.

10 things about Bandar Seri Begawan

Accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan : The Brunei Hotel, Jalan Pemancha, BSB.
Length of Stay : 2 days 1 night.


1. It fits as weekend getaway.

2. Nothing much we can do or see there, so it's also a good idea to go there on Ramadhan (Fasting Month).

3. Go and do pray at the most famous Mosques there. My favorites are Jame Asri  Haasabil Bolkiah, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, and As-Solihin.

4. In the afternoon, go to food bazaar at Stadium, you can find nice cendhol, batik cake, also martabak that taste different from the others. But I think there would be less options at 5pm so try to go before that.

5. Visit Empire, the biggest and classy hotel in Brunei. All golds are for real! And it has nice swimming pool and beach view as well.

6. If you're not going on Ramadhan, visit their beaches, they have several hidden beaches too!

7. Eat like a local. You are not really going Brunei if you never try Ambuyat. Just google it! :D But my favourite is definitely Nasi Katok!

8. Even its difficult to see Istana Sultan but take a picture in front of the gate is a must!

9. Taxi is difficult to find, better browsing how to do tour around the city before you go. I'm not sure they have rental cars. By bus? Well you'll be wasting your time to wait. I was lucky I have a friend's friend who lives there :D

10. If you're not mainstream, and want to know how reach Sultan Brunei is, just travel over there, you'll know! ;)

10 things about Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodation in HCMC : Hong Kong Kaiteki Hotel (capsule hotel), 22 Bui Vien, District 1
Length of Stay : 2 days 2 nights


1. Beside the city tour, do CU CHI TUNNEL and DELTA MEKONG half day tour, it's a must! (I still regret that I didn't go because of my tight schedule)

2. If you have some more time, go to Mui Ne (6hrs from HCMC) too!

3. Find a hotel/hostel near Ben Tanh Market. All places in District 1 are actually a walking distance but it's just easier to stay around that Market, especially because there is direct bus to and from the Airport only for 5000 dong, rather than taxi you can spend for around 150.000-170.000 to District 1.

4. Make sure to take only Main Linh and Vinasun taxi. They're recommended.

5. I am not sure how to give a recommendation for the transport. All city sightseeing places are in District 1, so all walking distance but sometimes the weather is just bloody hot! The motorbike rent is recommended when you can drive. If some of motorbike's driver ask you to go with him, dealing the price from the beginning, because they can say we can pay whatever we want but end up we have to pay 250.000/hrs. Choose whatever its affordable for you! But if its possible, just go by Taxi which use taxi meter.

6. Try Vietnamese coffee is a must! My recommendations are Trung Nguyen and Highlands. And for a tea lover, try blooming tea at Phuc Long.

7. HCMC used to be in History for American aggression in Vietnam, if you like history, its worth it to visit War Remnants Museum. If you want to see masterpiece of Gustave Eiffel in Asian, you'd better visit Saigon Central Post Office! And its really nice to take a pic at City Hall at night.

8. Try local Pho! And its spring rolls. You can find Halal one too. I tried Pho Muslim in District 5 and Serai Malaysian restaurant in District 1.

9. Shop a lot at Ben Tanh market! Cheap cheap cheap!

10. Since it changes name to Ho Chi Minh City, its also nice to take a picture if you find a 'Saigon' name.

10 things about Penang

Accommodation in Penang : The 80's Guesthouse, Lorong Love, Georgetown.
Length of Stay : 2 days 2 nights.


1. It's a must going to Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si temple (both quite close), Street Art and try to go to every jetty's, worth to take a pic.

2. Try nasi kandar around jalan Penang, it's famous and long queue so be patience. Try to drink their teh tarik, dunno why its different from Singapore one, and it tastes nicer actually! And at least try Char Kwaytiaow.

3. Take almost with all the street art (so remember to bring MAP from the info centre).

4. If you went to Bali before, don't expect too much for Batu Ferringghi. But it has night market and nice seafood.

5. If you have time, strolling around Georgetown by bike. Not too tired since its bloody hot in the afternoon. And its a bit pricey to go by becak, 30RM in an hour. I got my bike from hostel only for 15RM, on rental usually 35-45RM.

6. If you love coffee, going cafe 55 is a must. If you have much time to go out from Georgetown, try Full of Beans at Straits Quay or Queen Bay Mall.

7. LOTS of nice and unique cafes, prepare and googling it before, because it depends on your interest.

8. If you afraid of dog, be careful, lots of them in the street haha. They won't bite, but still since I'm so scared of dogs, it was bit challenging! :))

9. I had a great time and for me it was a nice services at the 80's guesthouse at Love Lane.

10. Perfect for weekend getaway! More than enough.

  

My March 2014 getaway. Thanks to Andanty, my high school mate, who pushed me to make this trip happen :)