Rangoon Favorites

Favorite thing: Experiencing the Shwedagon at sunset is the most special part of a visit to Rangoon. Walking around the base of the majestic Shwedagon, which is surrounded by 64 smaller pagodas and numerous temples and pavillions, is awe-inspiring. As you stroll the grounds of the compound, the warm evening air is sweet with the perfume of incense and flowers offered by the faithful, and the sound of the voices of young Buddhist nuns chanting prayers in the ancient Pali language mingles with the shimmering melodies of the countless small brass bells that adorn the pagodas and the penetrating low tomes of larger bells weighing several thousand pounds and housed in ornate pavillions as they are struck three times by the faithful, symbolic of the Three Gems of Buddhism: refuge in The Buddha, refuge in the teachings of The Buddha, and refuge in the monks (Boda, Dharma, Sanga). The images and sensations remain long after you've left and become fond memories.

Fondest memory: The Shwedagon amazing temple complex

Favorite thing: Our family vacation took place in Rangoon,Bagan,Inle lake,Mandalay and Myitkyina for 27 days,accompanied by a registered tour guide named Kyaw Zay Latt@Eugene.He is a resourceful guide.It was he who made our family vacation to Myanmar (Burma)a wonderful experience.I do recommend him to all other would-be-visitors to Myanmar.Though often on a tour to the remote areas,he is based in Rangoon.His contact email address is eugenelatt@gmail.com or lazy_guide@postmaster.co.uk.Daily rate is $20.

Favorite thing: The tourist boycott is no longer an issue as no-one within the country is calling for it to be enforced. Also tourism is a very minor source of income for the country, so it would have no effect. The Myanmar economy is based on trade with India, Japan and China, so only if these countries chose to cease trading would an economic boycott have some influence. Additionally, most of the population is now resigned to the current regime and there is no longer a big appetite for change, outside a shrinking number of activists. It is said that at the crucial time a few years back there was a general lack of courage in the population to make that final sacrifice and push for change, which occurred in so many other countries.

Favorite thing: Yangon is a green city with wide open streets. The main thoroughfares are all lined with trees and it feels more like a grand old town than a large capital city sometimes.

I was up early each day I was there and I found Yangon a pleasant city to stroll around in at this time. It's quite laid back and you won't be accosted by touts nor bowled over by busy commuters. It's all quite peaceful.

Favorite thing: Keep in mind that many bars, restaurants and teahouses close at 9pm. Almost all of the rest are closed by 11pm. Some of the international hotels stay open later.

Most of the exceptions seemed to be karaoke houses. I could hear singing from my hotel room as I drifted off to sleep each night, though I never quite worked out where it came from.....

There is still plenty of activity on the streets though, as many vendors prepare for the next day.

Favorite thing: The local curreny is the kyat pronounced as "chat". USD dollars is used for most big transcations like visas and airline tickets. The best place to get your kyat is around the Sule Pagoda. Someone will invariably ask if you need to exchange money.

Fondest memory: The Lady... I'm not gonna name names. If you know Myanmar and its most RECENT history and have heard of its high profile martyr, you know who I am referring to. Just keep things in perspective. (Maybe I was hangin' out in diplomatic circles too much while I was there!) But I heard similar stories from more than a few people to know, where there is smoke, there is fire. With regards to the Lady... don't forget there are TWO sides to every story. Not saying she doesn't have the best of intentions for her people, but I have heard repeatedly from dip. corp folk & long time westerner expats that she could further her goals quicker by stepping down a tad on issues that wouldn't negatively impact her cause. She chooses not to back down out of ego, pure & simple. (Hey, she's human...)

The Government, for their part, certainly has more of a steep moral learning curve but again, don't take everything at face value. They would be willing to negotiate more w/ the Lady if she gave in in certain areas.

I'll leave it at that. When you visit, hopefully you can meet a Dip. Corp person or some ex-pat that can tell you far more than I care to write here in a public forum!

Favorite thing: 'Booth' shop (instead of window shopping) at the Bogyoke Aung San Market in downtown Rangoon. Check out the tons of Gem Shops. Myanmar is known for Burmese Sapphires & there are lots of sellers. But know your stuff! No such thing as a free lunch; no great bargains. More scarey is that there are many fake gems out there. FINE if you plan to buy good fakes, but pay the appropriate price if they ARE fakes!

Fondest memory: (Photo Above: Shwedagon Temple in Rangoon) Go to the Shwedagon at a little before sunset. It's so serene. Hard to imagine how the country is under such turmoil once you are there.