And on it was to Myanmar. I said my fond farewell to Matt and got the skytrain in Bangkok to the bus station and then got the express bus to the domestic airport in Bangkok, which was as simple as I'd hoped. The airport was very busy - entirely due to the volume of flights operated by the budget airlines in this part of the world. However again it was no sweat and after a short delay (how could it be any other way in Thailand?) I was airborne to Yangon.

Getting into Myanmar was simple as I'd already pre-arranged the e-visa. I was quite relieved that I wasn't asked for proof of onward travel as I hadn't (and still haven't!) arranged a flight out of the country. Upon arrival in Yangon, I changed some currency into the local Kyat. Most people opt to take a taxi into the city, however I went for the shuttle bus from the airport into the centre. I then got a taxi to my hostel because it was too far to walk with my bag.

I arrived at the hostel in early evening so after quickly refreshing, I went for a wander around the local streets to find something to eat. I ended up at a Japanese place, and to this moment, other than some flaccid pork, I have no idea what I put in my mouth! The hostel in Yangon was very quiet so it gave me the opportunity to knock out my first blog. I then smashed a couple of beers ahead of the big game! Naturally the locals / workers in the hostel are Man Utd fans so they were up for the match as well. Clearly it didn't end well, but the free beer soothed it and it turned into a good laugh with the locals.

On my first proper day in Yangon, I went for what typically turned into an all too long walk! I headed in the direction of the National Museum in Yangon, but the b****** turned out to be closed! I discovered later that the day (can't remember the actual day because they mean nothing at this point) that it was a national holiday. I carried on along the route that I was taking, past a couple of parks towards Yangon's most famous landmark - Shwedagon Pagoda. It was as spectacular as expected and given the relative lack of tourism in Myanmar, it wasn't anywhere near as busy as the attractions in Bangkok. It is also still a fully place of worship so there were many monks and Buddhists in general. After that, I carried on walking some more and eventually turned back in the direction of the city centre. I carried onto Sule Pagoda, which isn't anywhere near as spectacular but still super cool because it's situated on a big roundabout, with shops / shacks running round the outside. I walked through downtown/chinatown back to my hostel. The streets were very busy, but it was fascinating to look at the old British colonial architecture and to watch the locals go about their very hectic daily life! I met a lad at the hostel later one and we ended up going out for some food on 19th Street in Chinatown, which is considered the go to place. We both played it safe food wise, but it was delicious! We then went to see the Shwedagon Pagoda at night time - even more spectacular than during the day! It was a pretty early night after that.

The next day, I went back to the museum! It was open this time and there was actually some pretty fascinating stuff in there. Obviously I can't remember any of it however! Other than a massive lion throne. I spent a good couple of hours in the museum and then walked to St Mary's Cathedral. It looked pretty good but I'd say quite standard as far as cathedral's go. I ended up getting a taxi back to the hostel because I couldn't be arsed walking anymore, and I wanted to rest up ahead of catching the night bus to Bagan that night. Unsurprisingly, it was absolutely pissing it down and there were no Grab (Asian version of Uber) drivers available! I thus had to proceed outside to try and flag a taxi. I eventually found one but his English was s*** at best! We got there in the end though and he got me to the bus station within good time. The bus station is literally miles away from the city centre - shocking planning! It is also mega busy and chaotic, but the bus companies have their own offices, so it wasn't too bad.

The 10 hour night bus to Bagan was actually pretty comfortable and surprisingly, I actually managed to get some sleep, although maybe not an ideal amount! I ended up crashing at the hostel in Bagan for a few hours, before going for a wander round the new town. A few of us from the hostel went for another wander later. Later on, myself and a friend from the hostel and a couple of guys from the sister hostel went on a tour to somewhere called Mt Popa. It's effectively a temple on a kind of a cliff / mountain. The views are great, but with it being a temple and up high, we had to walk up the steps in bare feet, which was utterly vile and putrid! There was also an overabundance of monkeys, and thus there was monkey s*** all over the place! I wasn't overly amused and covered my feet in hand sanitiser when it came to putting my shoes back on! The evening was brilliant - smashed some beers at the hostel before a crazy guy from Norway pointed out that there's a bar across from the hostel. I believe there is a curfew in Bagan but we went out anyway, smashed more beers and ended up getting somewhat hammered with a group of locals! Their English was not good, but as soon as I shouted "Man U!", we all instantly became best friends!

On the second day in Bagan, I joined the free bike tour of Old Bagan, which is where there are many many many temples and pagoda's. It's a truly incredible place with some great views and is quite hard to explain. I don't ride bikes so hopped on the back with the guide. He was a really funny and informative guy! Turned into a good morning and early afternoon with the folks from the hostel. Later that afternoon, some of us set off in search of a sunset. I was on the back with the lad I met in Yangon. He wasn't the most confident driver though, so we ended up dropping way back from the others. Neither of us were entirely sure about where to go so we ended up trying to find our own sunset. We didn't really find it, but the afternoon turned into the kind of random adventure that can never be planned for! I can't remember much of the evening, but I do remember it turning into too much beer and laughter again! Just not with any locals this time!

I intended to get up to see the sunrise the following morning, but the previous evening exploits put paid to that. I stayed in bed most of the morning and ended up having a pretty relaxing day. A large group of us joint the sunset boat tour later in the afternoon. A "drink or two" comes included in the price. Some of us effectively turned it into a booze cruise and with the music playing, it turned into one of the best afternoons ever! We were all singing / shouting classic songs on the way back on the bus - brilliant! The very high spirits continued into the evening and we carried up drinking. There was a pub quiz at the hostel. My team won - enough said! We just drank some more after that and had some brilliant chat amongst ourselves. Never expected deep political conversations this far out! It turned into a very very late night but all good!

Today is my last day in Bagan, before getting the night bus to Kalaw and doing a two day trek to Inle Lake. I've done very little other than chill and write this blog.

Myanmar has been fantastic thus far - Yangon was cool but not a place I'd ever go back to. But this Bagan place, with it's temples and the hostel set up perfectly for travellers, has been a ridiculously satisfying few days. I could quite easily stay here and may even return if I have time left after the other places!

Until next time...