This post would mainly summarize the hostel that I stayed over my travel in Myanmar and also the bus that I took in Myanmar.
Hostel:
Yangon - When I was in Yangon, I stayed at this hostel named, Space Boutique Hostel [https://www.facebook.com/spacehostelygn/] which located at the downtown area. The Bogyoke Market is within 5-10 minutes walking distance and the famous Shwedagon Pagoda is within 20-30 minutes walking distance.
The charges per night in a dorm was, USD 19 which is the average price per night in Yangon. This hostel is kind of new and not much visitors yet, so it was not a good suggestions if you would like to meet up with lots of other solo traveler. Apart from that, the staff do speak good english and the hostel is quite clean.
They do provide the airport transfer also, if you pay to the hostel directly they will charge you USD 10 but if you pay to the driver they will take you 8000 kyat only. But of course, for budget wise, you could actually grab a cab at around 5000 kyats outside the airport if you have time to bargain and say "NO" when they charge more.
To be hassle free, I asked for airport pick up from this hostel and they charge me USD 10 for that. But when I return, I pay the airport transfer to the driver directly and he took me 8000 kyats only. So lesson learnt was, do not ask for airport transfer from the hostel if your time of arrival permit you to get a cab safely.
Note: The hostel arrange me a 4-person dorm for my stay (last night of my trip) and well there is no one in the dorm except me. So again, basically I own the dorm privately though I paid for the charges for a dorm bed only.
Oh ya, I arranged the stay thru email. They usually respond me within 24 hours.
Bagan - I stayed here, Ostello Bello Bagan [http://www.ostellobello.com/#ob_bagan]. Basically this hostel is famous among travelers and they usually run out of rooms during peak season for walk-in travelers. Thus, book your room ahead. They do provide a few types of dorm and private rooms too.
This hostel is run by foreigner and the entire styling is so so so nice~ Their staff speak English well too, so no worry on the communication.
The only down side that I had with them was the bed I slept having bed-bugs and they do not change the room for me on the first night and saying that my itchiness was because of my skin allergic. Until the next day morning, they do promise to clean my bed. But again, anyone who experienced bed bugs before should know that changing the bed linen does not help. A thoroughly cleansing is needed to kick away the bugs. Therefore, I got bite again on the second night and after I made complaints again the staff find another empty bed in other dorm for me to take rest till the morning.
The charges for the dorm was USD 19 which is similar to Yangon. And I found that, Yangon and Bagan are the most expensive cities in Myanmar. Others are charging me nothing more than USD 10 for a dorm.
Hsi Paw - I came here purposely for the trekking and also taking the train thru the Goteik Viaduct. I stayed in Mr. Charles Guesthouse [http://www.mrcharleshotel.com/] in Hsi Paw. They do charge only USD 7 for a dorm bed and surprisingly they only have 6 beds in the dorm with only 1 dorm in this hostel.
On the other side, they do provide single rooms as well at USD 7. So it would be depends on your own preference. For the same price, you may choose to sleep in the dorm or the private single room.
But, only the dorm have air conditioner. The private room only come with fan, and of course the weather is cool in Hsi Paw so air conditioner is not a necessary like Yangon / Bagan.
Why I am staying here is because they do offer the trekking package and they are good at it.
Mandalay - Staying in Mandalay was not in my initial plan, but I came here after took the train and spend only 1 night here then take the bus to Yangon without doing any sight seeing. This hostel is belong to a SG friend's sister-in-law's auntie who I met in Hsi Paw. Ok, I know is kind of long relationship. xD
They charge only USD 10 for a night in dorm and they only receive reservation thru email and FB [https://www.facebook.com/Yoe-Yoe-Lay-Homestay-122408557948266/timeline]
The owner do speak mandarin if you are Chinese, she is Chinese whose ancestor from China. According to her, Mandalay have lots more Chinese compare with other cities in Myanmar.
Overall, the stay in Yoe Yoe Lay Homestay was pleasant and feel warm with the welcome drinks and fruit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I bought 80% of my bus travel ticket in advance thru the Myanmar bus ticket website, http://myanmarbusticket.com/
There are few choices for those road and if you are taking an overnight bus, do take the VIP bus is budget is allowed. The space for the normal bus would really squeeze and uncomfortable. Also, the bus would be slightly old for those normal bus and the chances of getting breakdown during the trip is higher. ^^
If your schedule are tight and no delay is allow, it is better to book the ticket in advance but yeah, it would cost more as they charge an additional service charges if bought online.
No comments:
Post a Comment