Saturday 3 October - the flight was scheduled for 1025 so departure was set for 0820 even though we were 20 minutes from the airport. We were the first at breakfast again - and in recognition of our VIP status we were offered a la carte rather than the buffet that the fellow guests were offered. Lay Lay Mon worked hard to bring over towering plates of food.
Having tried the night before to pay the bill with Visa we tried again - initially without success to we rummaged for 104 USD. However the manager the did not like the fact that they were not crisp enough! They were from a US ATM so we knew they were ok.
We set off to the local ATM which promptly swallowed the HSBC card and after a long time it spat it out with a reassuring message “service temporarily unavailable”.
Back at the hotel Business Centre we joined a worried New Zealander whose card was not being accepted and had no cash ! Finally the connection was made and our Visa worked ! Unfortunately we were then told that the plane was 30 minutes late so we should rest a bit. 30 minutes later we headed to Thanwe airport.
As it turned out the flight arrived early and left early. Arriving in Yangon we were bussed to the domestic terminal and headed on through. Our guide was there and when Joy asked where we should collect our suitcases he laughed and pointed back the way we came. Back in the arrival lounge we saw on the wall a A4 piece of paper stating ‘baggage claim’. Soon the Kubota mini tractor appeared and the cases were delivered.
Back on the minibus Pete went through the itinerary which included 2 pagodas ! Joy was insistent that shopping was on the agenda - we finalised on one Museum, one Market and one Pagoda.
Our first stop was the National Museum and the Lion Throne from Mandalay Palace which nicely displayed and well worth the visit - but no pictures. Next stop Scott Market. This is large market in the centre of town with both local and tourist shopping. We all managed to find a few souvenirs and headed to Shangri-La and quick wash before heading to the famous Shwe Da Gon complex.
Although barefooted we ascended to the top squeezed in a lift which we had to fight to get in battling against the monks who were determined to reach the top. The sunset - although actually the sun was behind clouds so the effect was made by a multitude of floodlights ! It was a spectacular sight.
Back to the bus we headed out to join Myriam for dinner at her house in the suburbs of Yangon. We had a great Myanmar meal and wonderful conversation before heading back to town.
Having tried the night before to pay the bill with Visa we tried again - initially without success to we rummaged for 104 USD. However the manager the did not like the fact that they were not crisp enough! They were from a US ATM so we knew they were ok.
We set off to the local ATM which promptly swallowed the HSBC card and after a long time it spat it out with a reassuring message “service temporarily unavailable”.
Back at the hotel Business Centre we joined a worried New Zealander whose card was not being accepted and had no cash ! Finally the connection was made and our Visa worked ! Unfortunately we were then told that the plane was 30 minutes late so we should rest a bit. 30 minutes later we headed to Thanwe airport.
As it turned out the flight arrived early and left early. Arriving in Yangon we were bussed to the domestic terminal and headed on through. Our guide was there and when Joy asked where we should collect our suitcases he laughed and pointed back the way we came. Back in the arrival lounge we saw on the wall a A4 piece of paper stating ‘baggage claim’. Soon the Kubota mini tractor appeared and the cases were delivered.
Back on the minibus Pete went through the itinerary which included 2 pagodas ! Joy was insistent that shopping was on the agenda - we finalised on one Museum, one Market and one Pagoda.
Our first stop was the National Museum and the Lion Throne from Mandalay Palace which nicely displayed and well worth the visit - but no pictures. Next stop Scott Market. This is large market in the centre of town with both local and tourist shopping. We all managed to find a few souvenirs and headed to Shangri-La and quick wash before heading to the famous Shwe Da Gon complex.
Although barefooted we ascended to the top squeezed in a lift which we had to fight to get in battling against the monks who were determined to reach the top. The sunset - although actually the sun was behind clouds so the effect was made by a multitude of floodlights ! It was a spectacular sight.
Back to the bus we headed out to join Myriam for dinner at her house in the suburbs of Yangon. We had a great Myanmar meal and wonderful conversation before heading back to town.