Around Mandalay

It only costs $20 to rent a car for the whole day to explore the surrounding towns. We headed to Saging, known for its many stupas and monasteries, and then to Amarapura, home to the world’s longest teak bridge, which stretches 1.2 kilometers. On the way, we passed fields where people were busy with the harvest. Everything is done by hand, with the help of oxen. We agreed to let our drivers take us to two workshops where they would earn a commission for bringing tourists. We weren’t obligated to buy anything, and our guides received 1,000 kyat just for us to take a look around. You can also visit the towns of Inwa and Mingun, which are filled with ancient ruins that speak to a grand past. We’re heading to Bagan later to explore ruins that are said to rival Angkor Wat in Cambodia, so we’re expecting plenty of ruins to see! :) Usually, we try to avoid street food because of the higher risk of poor hygiene. However, Mandalay has an incredible Indian street food spot at the corner of 27th and 82nd Street that serves the most delicious chapati. We filled up for just 5,000 kyat. The night market in the city isn’t worth a visit. The selection, from a tourist’s perspective, is very limited and of poor quality. Mandalay, and much of Myanmar, doesn’t have bars like we know them. Instead, they have beer stations that all close by 11 PM. A beer station is basically an open restaurant with a TV and a few tables—very simple decor. This is where men gather to watch sports and drink. Our two guides were incredibly touched when we offered to buy them a beer. They were proud to sit with us and drink. They made sure the beers were cold and that we had peanuts to munch on. :) Seven beers and two whisky and cokes cost us only 5,000 kyat. Unbelievably cheap!