Myanmar Day 4 | Exploring Yangon : Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon Tea House and Bogyoke Market
I slept the entire trip from Bagan to Yangon via night bus wherein Ana and I decided to get separate seats.
Novotel Yangon Max is nice enough to adopt us (and let us in for an early check-in) from our trip to Bagan. It was like coming back home as everyone seemed too pleased to see us back with their usual smiles and warm hellos.
We were more ecstatic to find out that we were given the same room at the Executive Floor. We noticed that the glass door was closed and we had to use our key card to get access to the rooms. We didn’t remember passing through that door on our first night. We realized that maybe they activate it at night and morning when the bar (on the same floor) is open to ensure safety of the guests. I looove it!
We were welcomed with the usual fruits and sweets! We love the dragonfruit! (but no fishie!)
I missed this view
After settling down, we went down for breakfast!
Novotel Yangon Max has one of the best breakfast buffets. Follow the link for full feature.
My usual breakfast plate
Part of me wanted to just chill and relax in the hotel (ah, so love the room and bed!). But it would be a waste not to see Yangon. Around 10ish, we prepared to visit the places in Yangon recommended by our friends. I had some money exchanged at the lobby where we also found ATM machine. Then off we explored Yangon.
Didn’t plan the outfit 😀
Shwedagon Pagoda
Shwedagon Pagoda is Yangon’s main tourist attraction. It is also known as Golden Pagoda.
We paid Php 3,000 kyats (around Php 300 or USD $6) for the entrance fee.
I was amazed with how big it is with golden temples in intricate details. My thoughts were like “it is like Enchanted Kingdom (or a theme park of temples!)”.
As we were (once again) required to walk around barefoot (we kept our slippers inside our Shop Style Cat bag!); it was a challenge to roam around and take photos. This is how temple run really felt! Ana and I were running and hopping our ways through each temples. I felt that my feet was burning as I walked on each cement tile and concrete floor.
We made a stop at some pagodas and just observe how people worship – family, friends and couples.
It was a feast on the eyes to see the temples in a fine morning. If you understand VSCO lingo, I was seeing C8 during that day 😀
Thank you @anagon for the photos!!! 🙂
I was unable to recharge my camera battery that day, so I had taken very few shots and saved the last juices of it for the next stop.
Rangoon Tea House
Ana suggested that we have lunch at Rangoon Tea House (one of the most recommended restaurants in Yangon). The streets to the little sweet cafe reminds me of the hidden alleys in Barcelona. Then we found the spot.
Walking inside the tea house is like crossing a different timezone. Most of the guests are foreigners, in business attire and having meetings. It was like dining at a British restaurant during lunch hour.
I just asked for the best seller and ordered it 😀 A set of rice, beef curry with soup. It is good!
The price is a bit more expensive, but we love the food, the service (the staff is quick at refilling our water and serving our needs), and the ambiance is lovely!
Bogyoke Market
I love that we had a time to check out the market and look for souvenirs. Bogyoke Market is Myanmar’s Divisoria with different stalls and stores selling textiles, accessories, bags and different local souvenirs.
Truth is, I stopped buying souvenirs for myself and for my friends (except for when I saw something that reminds me of someone). I stopped buying magnets, key chains and mugs (except for some friends who still collect them). I just enjoying checking what a country’s local souvenirs are, but I am all for going minimalist. 😀 But for this trip, I am happy to buy some nice souvenirs for a few friends 😀
Pool Time at Novotel Yangon Max
Ana and I made sure that we had time to take a dip at the pool during our stay at Novotel Yangon Max. It was the best way to relax after a tiring 4-day adventure. I remember just laughing and having fun at the pool and caring less about documenting this part of the trip. Thankfully, Ana is using an iPhone (cased in underwater plastic), and we were able to take some sunset “aura” photos.
No, no bikini photos of me.
Photo grabbed from Ana
Dinner at Royal Pavilion
At night, Ana and I originally planned to just have room service and eat in our room. But we received an invitation for a dinner at the Royal Pavilion.
Not a romantic date 🙂 But we were joined by our hosts, Novotel Yangon Max’s Amanda and Sir Eugene.
Royal Pavilion serves authentic Chinese cuisine and they prepared the best food that night. I was even touched when they make sure that Ana (being a Vegan) has the best dining experience with us (of course, I shared with her flavored rice and tofu dish).
For the carnivores (us!), they served us Peking Duck which was prepared in front of us! Instead of using the usual wrap, they served us bed of lettuce, vegetable strips and different sauces.
I also enjoyed the biggest Xiao Long Bao I ever tried in my life!
They also served us the best dessert in Royal Pavilion – Vanilla Ice Creme with Vanilla Puree. They say that they have the best mangoes (much better than what we have in Philippines) because the ones they have don’t have fibers (that strings that make you feel itchy). Too bad, it was not in season during our visit.
I was glad I packed an extra dress during the trip (otherwise, I would come to this dinner in my usual shorts and rock shirt) 😀
Where to Buy Pasalubong in Yangon, Myanmar?
Amanada is so sweet to join us to buy treats at the 24-hour store in Yangon, CityMart.
Per her recommendation, I bought packs of Myanmar Royal coffee, Nagar Pyan’s Green Tea and tea salad (Pickled Tea & Bean, or Lahpet Thoke).
The Tea Salad is a mixture of tastes and textures of tea leaves, nuts, crunchy beans, sesame seeds, fried garlic, dried shrimps, etc. So I tried it the other night, and I felt like I detoxed myself! Haha.
Waiting game?
… to be continued.
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