MANDALAY - 9th Jan. 2015 to 12th Jan. 2015

To travel somewhere by bus, they usually advertise that the journey starts from downtown, or that there is a free shuttle service from the hotel to the place from where the coach leaves. But the end of the trip, is usually a place in the middle of nowhere, a few kilometers before reaching the actual destination.

To avoid the usual show with taxi drivers, this time we opted for a slightly more expensive variant: a minibus, which picks you up at your hotel and takes you straight to your next hotel at your destination, in this case Mandalay.

In this city we have learned a new thing about burmese "tourist‑scamers": they always made us believe that "the government" did not allow foreigners to rent a vehicle without a driver. Supposedly to control the movements of tourists and avoid them to go to "problematic" areas. But apparently it is not true. Here in Mandalay, on almost every corner they offered us, to rent a motorbike. They use to make believe tourists, that the regime does not allow something, but in reality, the country is now in a slow process of democratic transition. The point is also, if you rent a motorbike with driver, you can ask for more money, that if you just rent a motorbike.

• MANDALAY  -  A walk round the Royal Palace

We are not kidding, we've literally spent an entire day, just to walk around the Royal Palace. We even didn't enter inside, as it is mostly restricted military area, and there is only a small visitable area for "only" 10 US$.

The Royal Palace of Mandalay extends over an area of ​​about 4 km², forming a square of 2 km each side, surrounded by water. Walking around the palace, involves a walk of more than 8 km.

Just beside the Royal Palace, is the Mandalay‑hill, a hill that rises 150 meters above the city, with the Su Taung Pyi Pagoda at the top, from where there are great views.

• INVA

The next day we took a trip around Mandalay, visiting the surrounding towns of Inva, Sagain and Amarapura.

To reduce costs, we were looking for more people to share the taxi. In fact, it turned out not to be a taxi, but a pick‑up, with a carpet on the floor of the cargo area, where we could sit or lie down. In fact, it was probably more comfortable like this, than if we had taken a taxi.

Inva is located 20 km southwest of Mandalay. It is very quiet and rural place, with some temples. Our pick-up left us beside the Myitnge river, from where we toke a boat to cross it. On the other side, some horse carriage drivers offers to take us to see the few things to be seen here. Although the temples are a bit far away from each other, this place is very nice to walk, and in two or three hours, you can do it all on food by your own.

• SAGAIN

Close to Inva, just across the great Ayeyarwady river, is Sagain. One of the most important Buddhist centers in Myanmar. Around the hills of Sagain, there are around 600 stupas and monasteries, and a hundred meditation centers. More than 6,000 monks and nuns live here.

• AMARAPURA  -  U Bein  Bridge

The U Bein Bridge in Amarapura, is the longest wooden bridge in the world. It is made of teak wood, and has a length of 1.2 km. Its construction was commissioned in 1850 by the mayor U Bein, therefore its name. Today it attracts many tourists and locals, especially to see the sunset.

• Our last day in Myanmar

As a farewell from Myanmar, we found a pleasant surprise. The airline you flew to Bangkok, had a free shuttle bus from the center of Mandalay to the Airport. This way, our last memory of Myanmar would not be a taxi. But as the bus was full, we had to sit on folding chairs in the corridor.