rak sa_ngop

I saw packets of Gillette razor blades in a small village shop in Issan near the Mekong river. I was surprised to read on the packets that they were made in Vietnam.

Suggest you try small family shops catering for 'poor' people i.e. places where you can buy soap powder and shampoo etc. in small packets.

The last time I looked a few years ago I was shown a demostration card showing the ads and disads of 4 different grades of varifocal lens. The lenses ranged from thick with very poor side vision to extra thin (made in Germany) with excellent all round vision. Prices ranged from about 3,000 baht to 16,000 baht.

Make sure you are comparing apples with apples.

When travelling to a new town I generally internet book a hotel room for 2 nights. This gives me one whole day to look around and find a better or cheaper hotel if I am dissatisfied. Worked well for me in Vietnam where many small hotels have unadvertised building sites next to them.

I haven't been for a few years but from what I hear 50th Street bar on 50th street is still a popular bar for expats, NGO types and others. The road is now resurfaced and no longer resembles the 'farm track' it used to be.

Also The Strand Hotel (near the river) used to have a Friday night happy hour which used to attract a small crowd of expats etc.

The Mandalay beer stations I believe are a thing of the past, but lots of local restaurants/bars selling beer. Also there may be some Myanmar beer gardens (Myanmar beer is great) still dotted around Yangon, although my favourite ones seem to have been re-developed already.

Also check out the Pioneer Club, although I haven't been to the new location down the road from the Summit hotel.

If you are in the 10-18 age group, there is a great day-time disco situated next to the old parade ground in the main park. 5 USD to enter the park for foreigners. Closest entrance is at the observatory and walk to the fountain at the parade ground. 2 years ago the neraby cafe had converted one room into a dark disco daytime 'nightclub'. Mainly kids there but full range of alcoholic drinks and beer available. Closes about 6.00 pm when the park closes. I wonder if it is still operating?

Finally there is a another nightclub near the Yangon zoo entrance. Not easy to find but popular at weekends.

If you enjoy long walks,  Yangon is agreat place to explore by foot. But becarefull at night because many roads are unlit and there are many pot-holes out there.

tropo, on 2012-05-10 04:20:40, said:

...and you will be able to pick up some duty free booze and fags!