Myanmar, the Hidden Gem

Feb 19

Myanmar Day 1

Travel Buddies: Htet (Interport lecturer), Htet’s friend, Charlie

After the ship was cleared Htet, Charlie and I took the two hours shuttle bus to Yangon City Center. Close by there is a modern hotel and mall where an ATM could be accessed, clean toilets, and free wifi. However, Htet had arranged for his driver to pick us up and take us to lunch. So, that’s what we did. His driver was waiting, as was his friend and we went to lunch with them. There was a great local restaurant where we tried everything from tea leaf salad to noodles to samosas and rice dishes.

After lunch, Htet asked the driver to take us to an ATM where we got cash and then they dropped us off at the National Museum. We toured the museum and then walked throughout the People’s Park. There were so many attractions. Large airplanes on display, roller coasters, spaces to play games, a lawn for kids to run, a night food market, and huge stage ready for a live performance.

After that we visited the Shwedagon Pagoda and was amazed by its gold beauty. We ended the day at a local bar called BurBrit (Burma/British). Htet met us there and we saw some fellow SASers so we all sat together. It was pricier than Myanmar standards but cheaper than US prices. I tasted 10 beers and then settled on a glass of one of them. And, I had some of the best Thai noodles that I’ve ever had. I ate every last one of them.

To close out the night, Htet drove us by his apartment, office, and to the shuttle bus station so we could catch the last bus back to the ship. It left at 11pm and got back an hour later.

Feb 20-Feb 22, Myanmar

Program Description

Day 1: A 3:15am meeting time and 6am flight departure gives participants a full day in Mandalay. Upon arrival, visit a nunnery to learn about the lives of the religious women who live here. Present an offering, see the young ladies prepare for lunch by chanting and assembling in lines and watch the precession to lunch, which is a quiet and very orderly process.

Take the chance to explore Mandalay’s impressive marble carving and handicrafts workshops followed by a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, which was so named after the holy image, Maha Muni, housed therein.  This is the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda (in Yangon). After lunch, visit the Shwe Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery), famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Proceed to Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world’s largest book (white mini pagodas reminded me of Greece), comprised of Buddhist scripture carved on its 729 marble slabs.

In the late afternoon, cross the Irrawaddy River en route to Sagaing Hill, the living center of Buddhism in Myanmar. With its many monasteries, stupas, and temples, and the sounds of pagoda bells and gongs ringing in the air, Sagaing embodies the country’s deep religious devotion. Travel on to the former royal capital of Amarapura, to visit iconic U Bein Bridge. Built of teak posts and spanning the lovely Taungthaman Lake, U Bein is the world’s longest teak bridge at three-quarters of a mile. Enjoy watching the setting sun paint vivid pictures as pedestrians cross the wooden structure. Before sunset, visit a local workshop to learn about the beautiful and intricate “royal wave” design as the weaving industry is one of the main professions of the local people. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before turning in for the night.

Day 2: Early the next morning, enjoy a full day floating on the mighty Irrawaddy River. The boat will sail downstream to Yandabo Village, where the local economy depends on the production of terracotta from riverbank clay. Each clay pot is sold for $1 USD or $2USD if sold in a market where the pot has to be transported there by boat. Take the opportunity to disembark and observe the pottery making process at its various stages. Board again and continue on to Bagan to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Dinner is with other Semester at Sea field programs and the hotel is amazing. The view from the lobby is of a river flanked by mountains with the pool and rolling green lawn providing a stunning panoramic view!

Day 3: Start off the last morning of this journey with an exciting sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Bagan Archeological Zone! There is no better way to take in Bagan’s historic sunrise and spellbinding landscape than from a hot-air balloon. Prepare to be amazed by one of life’s most breathtaking scenes and experience the unrivaled majesty of thousands of ancient temples drifting below. Flight duration averages 45 minutes. Later on, visit the Nyaung U market to indulge a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale and gain insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. Next stop will be the well-preserved Shwezigone Pagoda, and right after, the amazing Ananda Temple (via horse and carriage), which is one of the four main temples remaining in Bagan. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant (including French fries).

Bagan is not only famous for its profusion of pagodas, but also for its artistic handicrafts such as lacquer-ware. The master craftsmanship of lacquer-ware has been the pride of Bagan since the days of the Bagan Empire (849-1287). Take the opportunity to visit a hand-made lacquer-ware workshop and learn about one of Bagan’s primary industries.

In the afternoon, get a chance to learn about both monastic and basic government education. Students in Myanmar alternate between one form of education to the other, dividing their time equally. A panel of religious leaders and government educators will be present to discuss the unique balance of educational systems.

At the end of the day, take a flight back to Yangon and, after dinning at a local restaurant (best one in Yangon), journey back to the ship.

Feb 23

Last day in Myanmar and I couldn’t let it be spent on the ship. I got up, boarded the bus and had plans to meet up with Angel and Laura. However, it’s tough to meet up with people in port so I ended up going to the Scott Market with Remy and one of her residents. I bought a few things that I love (two pairs of stud earrings, a woven make-up bag, and snacks to share with my extended family). We finished the day by eating at the Rangoon Tea House and I had an amazing meal of chicken skewers, basmati rice samosas, and chocolate filled samosa with ice cream. We walked back to catch the 4pm shuttle and said goodbye to a lovely country. Though in turmoil, the sunsets were still breathtaking and the people I encountered were lovely. This is one place where I noticed that men and women both worked construction, wore longee (skirts), and sandals equally.