When I was on a cruise in the Caribbean, I met an American couple, who has since become great friends. We have met in Oslo, and I enjoyed their immense hospitality at their home outside Washington D.C. after the said Caribbean cruise. Since one half of the duo originates from Myanmar, a trip to the land of the pagodas was inevitable. 1) I get to meet and hang out with them again. 2) I get to experience a place with local knowledge. 3) I get to travel around Myanmar, with a short stop in Bangkok for some retail therapy 🙂 Below is my 3 week itinerary, in case you’d like to embark on the same 21 day adventure. Follow the link trail, if you’d like to know more about what I was up to at the different places. Happy travels!
1) Doha, Qatar
Day 1
As most times when I go east, I headed from Oslo to Doha on Qatar Airways. From there it was back on the wings again, direction Bangkok.
Note: Photo is by Iash16.
2) Bangkok, Thailand
Day 2
In Bangkok I rushed through the arrival procedures, hoping to be on the next flight out to Yangon. Since I didn’t want to bet on my incoming flight not being delayed, I had decided to hold off on buying the plane ticket from Bangkok to Yangon until I landed in Thailand. I got there just in time. Only “problem” was they didn’t accept credit card, so had to find an ATM to get cash.
3) Yangon, Myanmar
Day 2 – 5
Arriving midday I had close to 3 whole days to explore the Myanmar capital, and spend time with my friends.
4) Mandalay, Myanmar
Day 5 – 8
After Yangon I was on my own, in Mandalay, with the clear message of calling if I ran into any kind of problems 🙂 In addition to sightseeing the city, I went up the Ayeyarwady River to Mingun, and to the stunning U Bein Bridge in Amarapura. Two days in one place, and I got on the bus to Bagan.
5) Bagan, Myanmar
Day 8 – 12
In Bagan I had set aside 3 days to enjoy the thousands of pagodas scattered across the plain. Included was also a day trip to Mt. Popa. But since I got sick, I unfortunately had to cancel the latter 🙁
6) Ngapali Beach, Myanmar
Day 12 – 16
Getting to spend some time chilling in the sun at Ngapali Beach was not as straight forward as one had hoped, coming in from Bagan. After flying via Yangon, I was able to stick my feet into the sand and kick back. 3 days of village bliss, before heading back to the city.
7) Yangon, Myanmar
Day 16 – 18
Wanting to hang out with my friends one last time before I left the country, I ended my Myanmar adventure with a day in Yangon.
8) Bangkok, Thailand
Day 18 – 21
Last stop on this trip was Thailand. Arriving early in the morning and flying out on a red-eye, left me with almost 3 whole days in Bangkok. Being all sightseeing-ed up, I decided to leave the Thai attractions for a later time, and get my shopping on instead 🙂
9) Doha, Qatar
Day 21
After an less than enjoyable flight from Doha to Bangkok, I decided to splurge on a Business Class upgrade going back. A good night’s sleep, and I was ready for the last leg, Oslo bound.
As always, I had a great trip! Should I have changed anything, it would have been adding more days to my Ngapali Beach visit, because I would have liked to explore the area a bit, in addition to relaxing on the beach, which I did, and which was the main reason for going there. Also, had time allowed, I would have added a lot more of the places in Myanmar to my itinerary – it is such a beautiful country, with beautiful people, and plenty to offer.
What a fabulous place to explore like a local! I would love to get to Thailand. Some day! Thanks for sharing your trip with #FarawayFiles
Bangkok did not sit too well with me, but Myanmar on the other hand – love!!
What a great trip! I’d love to visit Myanmar though I don’t know any locals to show me around. How lucky that you did! I love discovering things on my own, but with limited time built in guides are always a plus! #farawayfiles
Had a blast! Loved Myanmar! Always a plus to have a local show you the ropes. Get to see places you might not find yourself. But I do like to wander off in my lonesome too 🙂
This is a place I’m not at ll familiar with. Your post is inspiring! Your sunset beach photo is stunning.
Thank you! Hopefully inspiring enough to make you go 😀 I have the boys on the beach to thank for that shot!
What a great itinerary! It’s fantastic that you had quite some time to explore. It looks like it offers so much for people with varying interests. I have wanted to visit Myanmar for awhile so this inspires me.
It was such a great trip! Loved Myanmar, so I hope you find time to go, preferably before the hoards, because even though there are many travellers, you really don’t bump into them much, besides at the airports and that one pagoda in Bagan at sunset 😀
I can’t wait to go to Myanmar! How great to meet such good friends on your travels and visit them in their home country. Beautiful photos!
Thank you! Loved Myanmar, so I highly recommend. I have been lucky to meet a lot of great people along the way, the perk of solo travel 🙂
Really enjoyed that read, it’s always nice meeting new people in different towns who later become friends. I met someone in Thailand who was originally from Washington DC but lives in Qatar so will be going to visit them soon! 🙂
Thanks! The advantage of travelling solo 🙂
I enjoyed the post so much. I went to Burma a few years ago and some of the places you mentioned like Mandalay, Yangon and Bagan. I know Bagan had some damage after an earthquake. You also went to some extra places like the beach so good to hear your experience of that. Thank you for sharing. It really is a beautiful country.
Thank you 🙂 Yes, I got there a few months after the earthquake. Damages were visible, and repairs were in full swing. Ngapali Beach was awesome! So glad I chose this place over a beach stay in Thailand.