Oddly enough for one who took over 1000 photographs in a month, I don't have a photo of this place. That in itself is not a problem, as it could hardly be said to be the most beautiful restaurant in the world. It does, however, offer good, reasonably priced food and has the attraction of being extremely central. Indeed, you can just about see the flank of Bogokye Aung San's statue horse from the front windows, which puts it right on the main roundabout.
In truth, I was forcing myself to eat that night, still recovering from a bit of an upset stomach, but the food was certainly appetising enough to revive a les than revenous appetite. The menu was primarily Chinese, and I plumped for a relatively mundane sweet and sour dish (wanting to avoid spices). A good portion, served promptly, and certainly very adequate. With a small beer (I wasn't that ill!) it all came to less than 2 USD.
the palce itself seemed more geared to drinking than eating with a few groups of local guys having a beer and watching a subtitled Hollywood film.
Favorite Dish: I only ate there once, but the sweet and sour pork (as described above) was certainly adequate and filling.
Updated Mar 27, 2006
The photo shows the bus station in Prome (Pyay / Pyi), where there are the usual vendors, restaurants, mechanics taxis and all the other things generally associated with an Asian transport hub. You are most likely to be either travelling from here to Magwe (heading generally North) or Yangon (heading generally South). I arrived from Yangon and went on to Magwe the next day. I travelled to Prome with Sun moon (as they were the next available leaving Yangon) and it was certainly adequate (see second photo for a look at the bus interior) but I got the impression that some of the other lines had newer and comfier buses. As always - shop around.
The third photo shows a typical stall at the bus station.
Written Mar 27, 2006
This may well qualify as one of the most bizarre tips I will ever post on VT. Normally, I would never suggest that travellers ahould go and visit a family in their home, but this time I feel it is entirely justified.
I was wandering along the Strand Road, just about where it peters out into a dirt track, heading towards the huge bridge, when I was accosted by a man sitting outside what looked like a fairly utilitarian structure. In no time flat he had almost physically dragged me inside, introduced me to his lovely immediate family and produced tea. Once I was well settled into what seemed the only serviceable chair in the place, he disappeared to return with what I took to be his extended family or possibly neighbours and a most wonderful time ensued.
In fairness his English was minimal and my Burmese, to my discredit, non-existent but, as far as I could make out he ran what appeared to be some sort of pumping station here, with his entire family living in the back. You can see some of the equipment in the photos. He proudly showed me his workshop (complete with numerous car batteries) and I was invited to take various family snapshots, which I duly did. The laughter and evident joy was heartwarming.
It really was a magical experience, for me the essence of travelling, and only served to reinforce my long-held view that the less people have the more they are prepared to give. Take a walk there and if the family are about I'm sure they'll invite you in as well.
Updated Feb 8, 2013
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