midnight
I arrived close to midnight, I got out of the airport and found a bus heading to the city center. I downloaded the map of Yangon on maps.me so I had some idea on how to get to my hostel called Nest.
It was a smooth and silent bus ride, a bit eerie just because of how late it was. I got off at an empty dark street, it was chilly and not a soul in sight but the sight of the Sule Pagoda shining in the dark was a bit reassuring. I started to walk towards the direction of my hostel after a couple of minutes, I arrived and was able to check-in. I was showed to my room, it was spacious, had a shower, and curtains for beds. I took my shower and went straight to bed, ready for the next day.
experiencing theravada buddhism
The next day started off well, I had some breakfast and chatted with a guy from Norway before calling a cab and heading out. The taxi driver tried to make some conversation and I went along with it.
I went to Chaukhtatgyi temple first where there was one of the biggest reclining Buddhas in the world. Just the foot alone is three times bigger than an average person. Inside the temple was very peaceful and beautiful, I felt really good just looking around and sitting down, absorbing the place. They had these weird almost psychedelic lights as halos around some Buddha paintings as well.
I had planned my route before hand and decided to take the road. Yangon was really amazing, Buddhism‘s roots are very strong here, I could see monks walking around the street in saffron robes, and people with some face painting called “thanaka”, it was quite unique to Burmese culture. It was very different from any South East Asian country I’ve been to and also one of the most beautiful and culturally rich.
immersed through the people's daily life
To get to the next temple, I had to wade across local neighborhoods, it was like a maze, but seeing the lives of the Burmese really was the best part. There were a lot of animals and the streets were also surprisingly clean. There were a lot of artisan shops creating Buddhist crafts. I was also hearing Buddhist prayers around the area.
I found the next temple, Maha Satkya Atulamanaung Ngarhtatgyi, with another giant Buddha, sat down and just vibed with everyone. Going around the temple and looking at the paintings.
I also went across a garden viewing the Kandawgyi Lake on my way to Shwedagon Pagoda, the highlight of Yangon. On my way, I stopped by another temple floating on a lake called Maha Jyeya Atula Marajin Temple. I had to take off my shoes from here on the way to Shwedagon.
the temple of all temples
The temple complex of Shwedagon, was really out of this world. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been, with floors of white and just temples after temples, with a golden temple in the middle. It really is the most holy and sacred place in Myanmar. It had ancient trees, and free water for everyone. I stayed for a long time, and did my best to circle the whole place, visiting every nook and cranny, completely mesmerized by the sheer grandeur of the place. I was very tempted to enter the main temple but it was only for Myanmar citizens and I didn’t want to risk it. I spent a very long time here until I got tired and hungry.
kindness from a stranger
I left the temple complex and found a restaurant that served traditional Burmese food, after eating I got on a public bus for the first time, it was really crowded and one of the passengers noticed that I wasn’t Burmese, he kindly paid for my fare and talked to me for a bit. The Burmese were a very kind people, they were happy to get visitors. A lot of people helped me get on the right bus back towards my hostel.
a familiar place
I stopped by the Sule pagoda before going back to my hostel, it was just a few blocks away and it was smaller than Shwedagon and I had to go in bare foot again, but it was still a very quaint area. It was nice to finally explore the temple after seeing it the first time I arrived in Yangon. I was still feeling a bit sick so I decided to go back to my hostel and rest for a bit.
one last push
I wanted to go at it one last time and went to Botataung Pagoda, where Buddha’s Tooth Relic was kept which was very different from Singapore‘s own Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The journey was another long walk but well worth it. The interior was quite different from the rest, with golden walls and a couple of more temples. Almost like the Tomb of Kings in Egypt. With a museum displaying plenty of more Buddhist relics.
On the way back, I stopped by a restaurant and ate some fine Burmese cuisine which was still quite affordable for me, I took home some fried vegetables as well. I tried to hunt for some street art before heading back to my hostel and was able to see a couple. I gave my vegetables to the guy manning the hostel, he gladly accepted it.
all's well, ends well
My last day in Yangon was very smooth, I had some breakfast and headed out very early in the day to catch my plane to Laos. My cab arrived on time and I got there on time, I learned my lesson in Kuala Lumpur. It was very relaxing in the airport, and I got very effective medicine for my cough and throat.
