This product review of Champion Detergent stems from my own hand washing experience.(Yes, I'm now a domestic diva! And I can't believe it as well!)

You only need a small amount of Champion detergent powder to create suds. I believe it is a strong formula. Left Yumi's uniform for a few hours and it only took a few scrubbing to get the stains on the neck out.

However, my hand felt so dry that even if I have put on moisturizer it didn't help. Day 2, my hand was so itchy. Now it is day 3 and there is micropeeling. I wonder if I make a solution and apply it to my entire body, soak in it for a few hours if I will also micropeel. That would be more effective than kojic acid or papaya soap.

Overall, my product review for Champion Detergent is it's worth every peso but you need gloves to protect your pretty hands.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Seems like kids in the town of Kyauk-me are on the look out for foreigners to invite to their evening English class. One kid was waiting for me patiently at my hotel to take me to his class in his motorcycle. I did and we had fun!

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

It was mostly conversational English. The teacher asked me to tell the class where I come from and what countries I've been to, a background of my family and what my job is.

The kids were so curious. Everyone was calling Phili-pins as Phili-pines!

I had some mango chips so I shared it with the class. They loved it!

Photo Credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo Credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo Credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo Credit: Dominik M. Ramík

There's a Pagoda on the side. You can climb up and check it out.

Check out the sign! It's my favorite. It says GOODBYE FOR ALL HUMAN!Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Mingalaba!

If you are coming from Mandalay, I suggest you go to the bus station really early like 7am or earlier. Once you miss the bus your next choice is to get a shared taxi. I paid 6,000 kyat (1000kyat cheaper than the locals) for my six hours shared taxi ride. You can also get to Kyaukme by train.

I stayed at the Northern Rock on a fan twin room for 7,500 kyat a day. The owner who is a doctor and his wife speaks good English and arranged our tour with Thura.

I originally planned a 3 day and 2 night trek in Kyaukme heading to Hsipaw but when I was in the area in May there was an insurgency. The people from upland were running from the rebels and evacuating to the town on the very day we were supposed to head up and see the mountain tribes! A week before we arrived a tourist even got hurt in a crossfire.

I did not book anything in advance for the entire trip. Yes it does sound irresponsible but the spontaneity allowed me to be flexible and also saved me a couple of buckaroos! It was not peak season after all.

So plans changed...

Here is what to expect in a typical trek with Thura in Kyaukme:

1. The more the merrier.

The more people are on the trek, the better because prices will go down. I was lucky to join a couple of girls from Malta who booked in advance.

2. Learn how to drive a motorbike on the spot.

3. Bike through beautiful scenery.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

4. Tea plantations everywhere.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Most of the locals here are tea planters and they have been doing it for generations!

5. Pickled tea leaf salad.

Image via the hungarybuddha

6. Taking breaks in roadside cafes.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

7. Meet, greet and sleep with the Palaung Tribe.

8. Maybe meet another minority like the Nepalese.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

The Nepalese in Burma are another minority that just intermarries among themselves. They came with the British hundreds of years ago and live in houses made of cow dung. They also work in the tea fields.

9. Meet some animals

Horses that you have to shoo off the road. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Burmese cat in Myanmar. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Holy cow! Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Carabao. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

10. Dress in the local costume.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

At the foot of the Mandalay Hill. Image via freme

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Upon entering you will be charged another 200 kyat for leaving your footwear. I just put my footwear inside my bag and carried on.

When entering, look up and see an old painting of the place.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

There are four stairways leading to the top with concrete seats lining the sides for when you like to take a break. The winding pathways are covered and there are so many things to see and experience along the way. You will encounter monks who are eager to practice their English or locals who are excited to take a photo with a foreigner.

Families are also living here so it is normal to see them do their activities of daily living like cooking, watching tv, taking a nap or chatting with neighbors. There are also squirrels roaming around.

If you do not like to walk, you can take a motorcycle up then take an escalator to the summit.



There are photo booths along the way for lovers.

For someone, like me, who is always tired, every shrine felt it was already the summit! You will be fooled a lot of times along the way. For when you think it is the top, there is still another corner to turn and a flight of stairs to climb! Good thing it was not as steep as Mt. Zwegabin!

Soem free water along the way in earthen jars. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Shweyattaw (literally standing) orByadeippay (prophesying) Buddha. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

28 Buddhas of the past and present worlds. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

 There is one area where you can find a lot of fortune tellers who do palm reading and tarot cards.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Once you reach the top, you will be charged 1USD as camera fee.

The view is breathtaking from the top. It is nice to catch a sunset here and see the entire city of Mandalay bathe in the golden sunlight.

Where is your favorite spot to watch the sunset in Mandalay?

Image via myanmartourismmarket

Like this? You will also like these:

U Bein's Teak Bridge, Amarapura near Mandalay

What to Expect When Trekking in Kyaukme, Myanmar with Thura

Top Fun Things to Do In Mandalay in One Day

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

U Bein's Bridge in Amarapura is famed to be the world's longest teak bridge. It connects Kyauktagyi Paya and Taungthaman. Teeming with activity, this is the perfect place to view a beautiful Burmese sunset! ( Just don't mind the heaps of garbage and nasty smell.)

200 years old 1086 teak wood posts. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Women picking lotus bulbs. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Boats loaded with tourists and their cameras. It would have been a great ride during high tide. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

There are shacks along the bridge with vendors selling food, water and beer. Midway there is a ladder leading to dry land. There is a restaurant a stones throw away from heaps of garbage selling food, coconuts, and beer to tourists.

Zoom in to see the garbage. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

How to get here? 

Is there an entrance fee? 

Suggested activities:

• Go down the ladder and explore the dry land.
• Rent a boat and see the day to day activities of the locals. 
• Walk the entire span of the bridge and explore the other side.

Mandalay is Myanmar's second largest biggest city. It is the jump off point to adventures in the north of Myanmar where treks through the gorgeous countrysides and visits to tribes has become increasingly popular.

If you are in Mandalay for just a day, here are some fun things for you to do! BTW, I got a fan twin room at 8,500 kyat per day.

1. Rent a bike and explore!

 Bikes are for rent at 1,500kyat per day. You can use this to explore the nook and crannies of the city. Beware as the map of the city is kindda confusing because all the streets are named after numbers.

2. Eat at the public market for free.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Yes for free! Just put on your friendliest smile and ask the vendor if you could sample some of the items they sell for free!

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Going to the market is a culinary adventure. There is so much food to choose from!!

Coconut meat and caramel drink. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Crickets. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

 

3. Check out the Mandalay Palace

I haven't really been inside because I went to the wrong gate. I had to circumnavigate and it's huge! So I just appreciated the moat. If you want to see the palace, the ticket is at 10,000kyat. It's a combo ticket that you could use for the Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Kyaung, two sites in Inwa and a minor site in Amarapura.

4. Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda

Also called the Great Marble Pagoda, it also houses a huge Buddha statue carved out of a single slab of jade. and that is all. Thank you!

5. Mandalay Hill

Image via chrismarshamphotography

Now this place is a climb! The view from the top is exhilarating especially at sunset. You can see the entire city spread out. It offers you an eagles eye view of the Royal Palace.

6. Sunset trip to U Bein Bridge

Said to be the longest teak bridge in the world, this place is best visited at sunset. Walk across the bridge, down the ladder and order something to drink from the restaurant then watch as the day go by.

7. Sample Kaung Ye or local alcoholic brew

The locals drink kaung ye and it comes in white, pink and clear color with different flavors.

8. See the Mandalay Marionettes

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík