Mingalabar from Yangon, Myanmar!

I would have never gone here if it wasn't for Emily. When she brought up the idea of having a girl's trip I was like "OK! Let's go and so the adventure began!

We traveled during the Maha Thingyan (Water Festival) celebration, which is also their new years celebrations. I've experienced the Water Festival celebration in Bangkok before. That was fun but this was something different.

When we arrived at the Yangon airport, Emily contacted out tour guide, Myat. She greeted us wearing traditional attire and blessed us with paduak or "Thingyan flower". This is a yellow flower which only blossom one day each year during Thingyan. 

We got to our hotel (Hotel Grand United) which I would recommend to stay. It was a  decent hotel, modern, clean,  access to wi-fi and a pretty fine breakfast selection. The hotel staff were friendly and we were staying near to town. Per night it was around USD$60.

View from our hotel room

Our adventure begun next morning at 7AM, when Myat picked us up from the hotel with a truck. We hopped on behind and Myat informed us that her friends will be hopping on the truck too. It is always cool to have locals around as they improve the experience. 

The truck made few stops to pick up drinks and food. On the truck there was a large barrel filled up with ice to keep our drinks cold.

I mentioned this festival was different from Bangkok. In Yangon, the Burmese will gather in an open air truck with their friends and family. With everyone piled in the back of the truck, they drive to a stage where thumping loud music is playing. This goes all day from 9AM till 6PM and during that time everyone is stuck in a massive jam. Some locals will have water guns, ready to shooting at people with. Others enjoy pouring ice cold water onto random strangers. At the stages there is a huge hose and when your truck is stuck in the jam, they shoot you with it. If you get the big hose on you... that's gonna hurt...BAD! Which is why the locals will wear thick sweaters or jacket to protect the pain. Also, the water which they were using were taken from Inya Lake (so don't be expecting clean water)!!!

Little Burmese enjoyed his Chang beer!

It was a nice experience and being with the friendly locals were great too. However after being out all day stuck on the truck I was sun burnt and restless, ready to go back to the hotel.

So for the next two days we tried to explore other places. Unfortunately, because if was the Thingyan celebration - lots of attractions were closed, like the Sakura Tower. We managed to do few temples visit.

My favourite temple was definitely the famous SHWEDAGON PAGODA. This is a must visit temple and amazingly beautiful. It's a huge temple so remember which entrances/exits you came from and don’t get lost, unless that your idea of fun.

When you're doing temple visits, it is preferable you wear long pants cover your knees and T-shirts. For female you can wear singlets but you need a shawl or scarf to cover up your shoulders. I was informed that even when you're not visiting the temples you should dress modestly. Although, after chatting to few of the locals, they mentioned that Yangon is slowly changing and the local girls are starting to dress a little more casually.

The final place which I will recommend visiting is the Karaweik Palace. This palace is a huge floating restaurant that can be found in Kandawgyi Lake. It is a place where you can enjoy a decent dinner and experience an authentic theatre, which was very entertaining.

So here are my final thoughts and tips:

• If you travel during the water festival expect to get wet all the time! 
• I believe Yangon will be developed in the next 10 years, so plan on traveleing sooner if you want a more raw experience.
• It a place where everyone is friendly.
• For money bring Kyat (Myanmar currency) with you but keep some new issue, crisp USD with you as well. 
• To get around just take cabs, they are safe and not expensive, but expect to haggle. Also, expect some crazy driving!!!
• A guide can be a great help!

I would love to return to Myanmar and travel to Mandalay, Bagan and Putao one sweet day!

More pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fongjoanne/sets/72157645007702944

xx Joanne