First trip to Yangon & Padonmar restaurant

Yangon - Today is my first time to Myanmar. The flight on SilkAir was partially filled and we landed on time to a modern but small Yangon International Airport. Every foreigner has to have a VISA to visit Myanmar and I already had mine done a few weeks back. You can also do it upon arrival but all documents need to be complete otherwise entry could be a hassle.

There are a number of money changers and USD and Singapore Dollar are readily accepted.

Taxi are changed on standard distance rate with no meter and a lot do with negotiation; but it's not so expensive and thus we seldom negotiate.

Our Hotel is Sule Shangri La Hotel; which was used to be Traders Hotel. It's near the famous Sule Pagoda and thus the name for this Shangri La hotel. The management up one notch their Shangri-La branding and charge exorbitant room rates to foreigners.

Room view - background Sule Pagoda

Downside is that the Internet access is very slow.

Yangon formerly called Rangoon (under the British colony) and is the Capital of Myanmar (formerly called Burma). This capital has a population of 5 million residents. Though the capital is undeveloped it has the largest collection of colonial buildings but soon this will give way to massive redevelopment of the city. It will be sad and a big lost to future generations when century old colonial building are torn down to make way for sky scrapers.

The hotel concierge introduce us to Padonmar restaurant which is one of the reknown restaurant here in Yangon. Upon reaching this restaurant you will realize it is famous because many famous people have visited and ate at this Burmese restaurant. The food is half Burmese and Thai food but we chose to eat only Burmese food as we have never taste it.

deep fried Sand fish

delicious sauce for the Sand Fish

Our first appetiser was Deep fried Sand fish, I never tried it so I ordered. It taste like fried anchovies. Search the internet and this is what is looks like, yucks!

Sand Fish

Ordered also the local beer - Myanmar Beer

Have a Myanmar Beer

Mutton Satay

Fish in tomato curry

Egg plant dish

Tomato rice

The tomato rice was serve in a small basket and meant for one person only.

Comments

Calesa around Intramuros

Manila - Together with Albert, we took a calesa (horse drawn carriage used in Philippines) around Intramuros. Albert and Lesley Albert and I Intramuros is the oldest district and historic core of Manila. The walled part of Manila was called intramuros, which is Latin for "within the walls"; districts beyond the walls are known as extramuros meaning outside the walls. Construction of the defensive walls was started by the Spaniards in the late 16th century to protect the city from foreign invasions. Guarding the old city is Fortaiago wich is located at the mouth of the river. Gallery of Philippines past and present presidents General MacArthur Battle HQ Entrance of General MacArthur HQ Manila Hotel Manila Hotel in the distance Manila hotel is the oldest hotel in the Philippines and the most well known icon. Baluarte De San Andres Cannons lined in a semi-circle Colegio de San Juan de Letran was founded in...

Cheong Guk Jang - fermented bean soup

Seoul - Lunch with Youngjin was at a traditional soup restaurant and it was crowded. Youngjin asked me many times Cheonggukjang "ok", I said ok not knowing what to expect. I have tried many weird and smelly good in Seoul, so I was very prepared. My first time tasting Cheonggukjang and I like it. CheongGukJang 청국장 is fermented soybean soup aka Stinky soup. Actually, I like fermented food and the smell does not put me off. I like fermented food because of the many health benefits and also we have them here in Singapore - tempe, belachan, fermented bean curd (which I love with my porridge), chincaluk, etc.. very hot Cheonggukjang I always buy danjang paste and bring home to make soup. I understand that they are the same but the difference is Cheonggukjang beans are uncrushed and are fermented for a longer period of time.

Temple Street Night Market

Kowloon - This flea market is full of quirky, Hong Kong souvenirs and t-shirts to take home. The actual market on Temple Street is in the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan sections of Temple Street. The flea market starts in the late afternoon every day and continues throughout the evening. You can find fake’designer' handbags, sunglasses, clothes, and electronic gadgets. The atmosphere was filled with many tourist of different nationalities. Along the sides were many seafood restaurants, mostly crowded. You will also find fortuner teller stalls plying their trade.

Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

Search This Blog