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Author Archives: Wil Smedley

Fruit From Around The World – Longan

longan

Longan, similar to both the rambutan and the lychee, longan is probably the one I enjoy eating the most as it has great elements from both of its brothers. How to eat a Longan I had never seen or eaten Longan before coming to Southeast Asia but it’s a pretty good treat. While holding the fruit, press the fingernail of ...

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Picturesque Relaxation at Inle (Inlay) Lake – Myanmar (Burma)

Inle-Inlay-Lake-Boat-Woman

Inlay (Inle Innlay Inley) Lake very well may be Myanmar’s (Burma’s) most visited tourist destination and it was literally the only place in Myanmar where I found any more then a handful of tourists/westerners. I arrived in Inle, from Mandalay via night bus and as with every other bus in Myanmar, taxis where waiting for us when we arrived. The ...

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Getting Around in Myanmar (Burma) – Your Transportation Options

Myanmar-Burma-vehicle

Plane The fastest way to travel. Yangon and Mandalay are the main airports in the country and you can arrive or leave from either (with flights to/from Bangkok around $60 when I went). Some travelers also fly domestically but I don’t think it’s necessary. Train The trains in Myanmar are slow, bumpy and are often more expensive then other options. ...

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Yangon and My First Impression of Myanmar (Burma)

Yangon-Myanmar-Burma

Stepping off the plane and walking through a small, quiet airport, Yangon was already something quite unfamiliar. Immigration was no hassle and I was on my way to baggage claim and then hoped to find a means to an ATM. I tried to make a withdraw from the first one I found, but the machine was out of money. Then ...

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A Nice Walk Through Hsipaw, Myanmar (Burma)

Little Bagan Hsipaw Myanmar

In northern Myanmar, about as far north as you can get without getting a travel permit, lies the small town of Hsipaw. In addition to being one end of one of the world’s most impressive train journeys, Hsipaw is a quaint town that’s worth exploring. What to do in Hsipaw? Hsipaw is a small town with little tourism (at least ...

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Changing Bus Stations in Yangon

Local Pick-up Myanmar

For those new to Yangon, you’ll learn that there are two different bus terminals. If you’re traveling from the west, Ngwe Saung, Chaung Tha, Pyay (Hlaing Thar Yar Bus Terminal) to Bagan, Mandalay, Inle, etc. (Auing Mingalaor Bus Terminal) you’ll need to catch a ride between terminals. If you’re at either terminal, locals will undoubtedly as you ‘where you go?’ ...

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The Best Budget Hotel in Yangon

Hninn Si Budget Inn yangon myanmar

Many people headed to Myanmar are told many myths about the country including how expensive it is. Once in Myanmar I found that it was much cheaper then I had expected (though I was there in low season). Accommodations and transportation being more expensive then neighboring countries such as, I found many budget options, especially in the ‘off season’.   ...

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Fruit From Around The World – Rambutan

Rambutan

A fruit, similar to the lychee, the rambutan is one of my favorite fruits I’ve tried in Southeast Asia. I originally though the rambutan was just a different variety of lychee with a sweeter taste but it is in fact a different fruit all together. How to eat a Rambutan I had never seen or eaten this strange fruit before coming ...

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Fruit From Around The World – Snake Fruit

Snake Fruit, sa-lak, sa-la

  Salak (sa-lak or sa-la) or Snake Fruit in English is an unusual looking fruit, which looks like it’s covered in snake skin. This fruit is found all over Southeast Asia but it is originally from Malaysia and Indonesia. Don’t let it’s bizarre, reptilian, looks keep you from trying it if you get an opportunity. How to eat a Snake ...

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So I Heard You Like Temples… Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is a small town filled with countless temples. It’s a beautiful place for anyone that enjoys architecture. While I recommended that Bagan makes it onto everyone’s Myanmar itinerary, a day or two is really all you need unless you really injoy temples.   Tips for Bagan The countless temples are spread out over a great distance and you have ...

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