Photos for survey

Hi All,

I've got some special photo collections to share and hopefully to get feedback from the public.


Leafy Eye Drop. Lights of the Sun.



Glory of the White. Colors of the Dark.

Colors of the petals. Shining Lotus.

Amazing Sunset of Bagan. Meal of the Day.

Golden Pagoda of Yangon.

Will there be any takers if it is for sale? Thanks.

Royal Bagan Trip

“Mingalabar”. It means “Hello” in Burmese.

Yangon is the capital of Myanmar. I stayed at Sedona Hotel; opposite the Inle Lake. Quite commonly, some fishing activities held at the lake by the locals.

The most famous pagoda in Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda. It has 4 entrances; North, South, East, West. It’s the biggest and most dramatic pagoda in Myanmar too. Entrance fee is $5 for foreigner while it’s free for the locals. Try to visit it either in the early morning or later evening as the floor is made of marbles or stones. So, after the sun is up; it’ll be rather hot to walk on it. Remember, you need to take off your shoes to enter most pagodas in Myanmar.

An hour flight from Yangon, you can reach the ancient capital of Bagan; which is situated in the Central part of Myanmar. Try to talk the first flight in the early morning; ETD : 630am so that you have more time to spend in Bagan. Foreigners are required to pay an entrance fee of $10 at the Bagan Airport. It’ll be used for conservation purpose.
Once you are out of Bagan’s Airport, it is like back to the ancient world; imagining yourself in that era. No high-rise buildings; just pagodas and some resort hotels. After checked in at our hotel; took some beautiful flower photos.

In Myanmar, the locals are using a type of wood to produce natural cosmetics that can be applied to their face and skin. It is functioned as a sun block or moisturizer against the heat. Interesting…

Initially, we thought of renting a bicycle to cycle around Bagan. However, as the weather is rather hot, we decided to hire a car to bring us instead. It costs about $25 for a day rental; until 7pm. Basically, nothing else to visit in Bagan; except for admiring the beautifully made pagodas of the ancient world.

Shwezigon Pagoda

We had the local Burmese food for our lunch. There were so many dishes served. Some of it were great, some were just ok for me. It costs about $10/pax.

There are numerous famous pagodas in Bagan. Do check out the websites for it. As you have paid for the $10 entrance fee at the airport; you do not need to pay anymore when you visit any of the pagodas in Bagan. Unless, if you want to make some donation to any of the particular pagodas. Some of the photos taken in the pagodas of Bagan.

An overall view of Bagan

Sleeping Buddha painting

It was really hot in Bagan when we visited it that day. Thank god that we made the right decision to hire a car instead of cycling around Bagan. As the sun started to set; it created some great effect as the pagoda’s background.

We climbed up a pagoda to watch the much-talked about sunset of Bagan. It was so beautiful to watch the sun sunk below the sea of pagodas in Bagan. It’s definitely worth to visit Bagan at least once in your life in order to admire the stunning views that you may not be able to see in other parts of the world.

After the great sunset experience, we had our dinner at an Italian restaurant; costs about $10-15/pax. In Bagan, besides car and bicycle to go around the city; you also can choose to ride on a horse cart. It costs about $10 an hour; that sits 3-4 pax. Thus, after dinner; we took a horse cart ride to a pagoda; lying beside the Irrawady River; the longest river in Myanmar. This pagoda is beautiful at night as the lighting is on; together with the breeze from the river.

All in all, Bagan is definitely a must visit site if you ever visit Myanmar. From Bagan, you can take a ferry ride to the Northern state of Mandalay; which used to be another capital before as well. Anyway, this is just a brief introduction of Bagan to share with you all. Hope you’ll enjoy it.

Mesmerizing Cancun

I came across about Mayan when I bought the “Wonders of the World” book few years back. Then onwards, I do hope one day I can visit one of their important temples; which mostly situated in Mexico. Initially, I thought that I need to visit Mexico City; as there are few Wonders around there. However, upon reading lots of travel reviews and Embassies’ Remarks; it seems that the city is rather a dangerous place for self-visit (even for tour groups). Suddenly, I realized that one of the wonder; the “Chechen Itza” is fact situated near to the well-known beautiful beach of Cancun. As I like beaches, therefore, I chose to visit Cancun over Mexico City for safety reason.

I landed at Cancun Airport; via Mexico City in the morning. When the plane started to approach Cancun airport; I was mesmerized by the beautiful views of Cancun from the top.

I read some reviews before that some of the custom officer may ask you for money in the airport. So, I was rather scared of that. But, thank god all things go smoothly until I exit the Cancun Airport’s custom section. When I was out, I tried to look for a shuttle to the hotel. As I was wandering in the airport; a big Mexican guy came to me. I thought he was an airport officer and try to get something from me. In fact, he was trying to show me where I should go to look for a shuttle. Ha ha ha… Guess, I’ve been influenced by the reviews too much. Finally; I got my shuttle to my hotel for a cost of US$15.

My hotel is situated at the end of the Hotel Zone; which is rather near to the airport (just 15 min.). This means, it’ll be a bit far off from the crowded areas (which has shopping centers, pubs, bars, discos, etc.. In fact, this is what I want in order to get a quiet yet beautiful vacation. Hotels in Cancun are quite famous for the beautiful ocean view and relax vacations. These are some of my sights that I managed to capture along the Hotel Zone beach.

I stayed at Hotetur; which was rated a 3-4 star hotel, I guess. I booked the All-Inclusive package; which cost about US$110/night nett. All inclusive means include all the meals at all the restaurants; drinks, activities, and other facilities. So, I guess this price is a good deal for that. When I arrived to the hotel; managed to check in smoothly but bear in mind; tips are required; particularly if you want a great stay and assistance. I requested for an Ocean view room. Though could not get the exact Ocean view, I managed to get a corner unit room; which can see a part of the ocean and lagoon at the back. However, my room only available after 2pm but I can start to use their facilities.

First thing is to go to the pool area; which has the ocean view. When I was at the pool; my mouth just dropped down and speechless. The view is drop-dead beautiful. See the below photos and you know what I mean.

I took my lunch at the pool side. The wind was so breezy and the view was just so magnificent. Previously, I always wonder; why those TV program that highlight on Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world never talk about the beaches in Malaysia. Frankly, I think some of the beaches in Malaysia are very beautiful too; such as Redang Island. However, when I experienced Cancun; I guess I understand a bit why Redang Island is not in the World Top 10 list. It may not be due to the view itself but as a total package itself. Well, I still think some of the beaches in Malaysia are beautiful; better off than those in Thailand and Indonesia; which were highly scored by the Westerners.

When my room was ready, I left my luggage and started to explore the city. I took a bus to the city centre (about 30 min.); and cost about US$1. I brought my dirty clothes to the laundry as the hotel has no such service (unfortunately). It only cost about US$6-7. So, it wasn’t that bad. The city has nothing much to offer but I was a bit worried on my safety after reading those reviews before. Nevertheless, things go ok. Difficult thing in Cancun is the language barrier as most of the Mexicans can’t speak well English; except for those at the Hotel Zone.

On the way back from the city centre; I stopped at the Middle part of the Hotel Zone and walk back to my hotel through the beach. Checking most of the hotels along the beach; it wasn’t that great compared to Hotetur; especially the beach view. But those hotels are more expensive as it’s nearer to all the other amenities.

Back in hotel; it’s time for dinner. I went to the Italian restaurant.

I had a glass of red wine, pizza, pasta, and tiramisu. The food was not very good but acceptable. After the dinner; went to the lobby bar to have a drink and relax. There goes my first day in Cancun.

On the second day; I woke up early as I signed up for a Day Tour to the Mayan temple in Chechen Itza. As I need to leave by 7am; I thought of requesting for a pack of breakfast to take on board. The breakfast actually starts from 7am as well. The captain was so strict that he doesn’t allow me to go in to pack some simple food. I was really disappointed with their attitude as that was not helpful at all. So, I need to ask the tour guide to give me 5 min so that I can wait for that captain to open the door at 7am. He was really annoying as he started to brief his staff at 7am; so, you can imagine what’s my reaction at that time. Nevertheless, the tour guide was kind enough to wait for me for a while. I just grab some bread and sausage to eat in the bus. What a bad experience. The bus started to stop at different hotels to pick-up their guests. I was quite sleepy and I guess it took about 1.5 hrs to pick up all the guests before they really start the journey to the temple.

Along the way, we can see some small villages and plantations.

I managed to see the trees that used to make tequila; which Mexico is famous for.

It took about 2 hrs to arrive at the first stop; the Blue Cenote (underground water).
On the walking path to the cenote; you’ll stop at the commercial place first (the souvenir store). They sell those items related to Mayan culture (calendar, horoscope, etc.) as follows:-

Then, walk for about 5 minutes, you’ll come to the Blue Cenote. It was quite deep and you need to walk the steps down. Many people swim in cenote. It looks refreshing though.

The next stop is our lunch. It’s a Mexican buffet lunch. Tried the Mexican chili sauce; which said to be the hottest chilly in the world. See below picture. It doesn’t look hot, isn’t it? In fact, IT IS… I just tried a bit and can’t stand it. It’s definitely a contender to the Indian curry.

Before leaving the restaurant, I went to the toilet and saw these cute little dolls above the toilet door; to show the genders. Cool……

From the restaurant; it’s just another 10 minutes drive to the Mayan Temple in Chechen Itza. Actually, most of us in the bus were wrongly identified the temple’s name as Chechen Itza. In fact, the whole area is call Chechen Itza and so happen that the temple is in there. Then, only we knew that the temple name wasn’t Chechen Itza but referred as so anyway.

Our tour guide brought us in and explained about the buildings in the temple area and stories of the temple. Well, the pyramid indeed is a living Mayan Calendar and Clock. It’s just so amazing to know how incredibly clever the Mayans were. In order for you to know more about it, kindly google it on your own later. Ha ha ha…

Look at the amazing pictures below:-

Doesn't the hole on the wall looks like the game played in Harry Potter???

There are many souvenir stalls in the area as well. Bargain hard.

Before leaving the temple; I took a photo of the pyramid’s staircase. Doesn’t it look like a staircase to the heaven. He he he…

Based on the information, the Mayan calendar ends at the Year 2012. Nobody knows why until now. Maybe it indicates that the world will end by then? Anyway, if the human kind doesn’t start to conserve, sooner or later, the planet will be gone.

As I was the first one to be picked up in the morning; I was the first one to sent home first; which was great as I have booked my dinner at the fine dining restaurant in my hotel at 830pm. I reached the hotel by 8pm; just on time to take a shower and wear nice clothing to enjoy my dinner at the restaurant.

As usual, I started with a glass of red wine. I had a Moroccan rice & vegetable soup for appetizer. Then, a Spanish grilled lamb for main course, and finally a cup of mango blended ice-cream for dessert. Again, the food wasn’t really that great but it was better than the Italian restaurant that I had on the first night. I guess if it’s not all inclusive, this meal may cost about US$50-60.

After the dinner; had a few drinks at the lobby bar. The waitress recommended me mango blended with tequila; which was really good. There goes my second day.

On the last day, I woke up around 6am; to see the sunrise from the beach. That morning was rather cloudy and windy; so, the sunrise wasn’t that great initially. However, when the sun is on the top; the sky turned to red and the view was really good.

As my flight is around 4pm; I had half a day to relax at the pool side and enjoyed the great ocean view for the last time. Also, managed to go to the La Isla shopping center (at the middle of the Hotel Zone) to do some souvenirs shopping. You can surely find some good deals there.

From La Isla, you can see the lagoon at the back; which some hotels spreading by the side of the lagoon as well.

Then, back to my hotel and took a taxi to the airport (US$20). Like in the US; there is no immigration when you exit Mexico. So, don’t be surprised that after you pass the security checks, you are at the departure gate.

Cancun is really a paradise and I wish to come back again in the future. But, maybe not in Cancun beach but other beaches nearby. Overall, it was a great trip experienced though there are some hiccups experienced in the hotel. Again, tips will get you almost everything you wish for in Mexico. So, travel smart there. Adios !!!