After a few short trips earlier this year now i finally had the time for a longer vacation. During this trip i visited the last countrys of continental south east asia i havent been to (Myanmar & Laos) as well as some others i already visited some time ago (Malaysia & Cambodia) And of course also experienced a new airline (initially i was hoping for two new airlines - more on that later)
As you maybe already know from my previous tripreports i will not only focus on the airlines (and hotels) - but also would like to share a few pictures from the places i visited with you. If you have any further questions about anything i didn`t cover - just ask.
In this tripreport you can read about:
Lufthansa Business Class MUC-FCO
Thai Airways First Class FCO-BKK
Thai Airways Business Class BKK-RGN
The Garden City of the East: Rangun
Governors Residence Hotel in Rangun
Air Asia Economy Class RGN-KUL
The Petronas Towers (and a little more about Kuala Lumpur of Course)
Air Asia Economy Class KUL-REP
Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor Wat
Cambodia Angkor Air REP-PNH
a few hours in Phnom Penh
Vietnam Airlines PNH-VTE
two days spent in Vientiane
Thai Airways Business Class VTE-BKK
Thai Airways First Class BKK-ZRH
Lufthansa Business Class ZRH-MUC
ARJ85
Aug 20, 12, 8:03 am
You are probably wondering why i flew via Rome when there is a direct flight MUC-BKK with Thai Airways. Well the reason is quite simple - the timing of the Rome flight worked better: The flight from Munich arrives in the afternoon in Bangkok - whereas the one from Rome arrives early in the morning - with a perfect connection to the flight to Rangun so i arrived there early enough to have almost the whole day in town.
But lets start with my flight from Munich to Rome. The flight was on a A321. As with all narrowbodys Lufthansa uses the same seats for business and economy on this plane - the difference is that the middle seat in each row stays empty (and gets equipped with a small table)
Sadly the legroom is as narrow as back in economy. Thats not realy a problem on a short flight like MUC-FCO - but when you consider that they use the same aircraft also on flights to Cairo or Tel Aviv you really wonder if thats appropriate for business class.
The main difference between business and economy on these short flights is catering. As you can see in the picture above drinks are served in real glasses instead of the plastic cups you get in Economy.
We were also served a full breakfast...
(The breadrolls and croissants etc. come in a separate basket where you can choose whatever you like)
After arriving at Rome i first visited the Alitalia Lounge (Thai Airways doesn`t have an own lounge at FCO - so passengers can use the Alitalia Lounge instead) But i didn`t stay very long there - the lounge is nothing special - and what i really didn`t like: it is somewhere in the basement with no windows.
So after a quick coffee in the lounge i went back upstairs to watch my plane getting ready.
Thai uses a 747-400 on the FCO-BKK route. And after booking i learned that this route is often served with the old first class (14 recliner seats instead of the usual 10 lie-flat seats) But as usual i was lucky and got the regular bird.
But i did get one shock when boarding: I was told that my checked in luggage hasn`t arrived yet and nobody knows where it is. As i would stay only two nights at most at each of my stops (and some flights aren`t daily) i was sure my luggage would follow me around asia for the next days without catching up to me. But thankfully it did turn up and the gate manager informed me about it a few minutes before departure.
The first class on Thai Airways 747 is in the front of the cabin. Four single seats on each side of the plane and a pair of seats in the middle.
Service started immediately when i sat down - pre-departure Champagne (Veuve Clichot Rose Vintage 2004) was served together with the signature Thai Airways Orchid.
The first course consisted of:
Smoked Salmon Rolled with Caprino Cheese Mousse and Horseradish
Marinated Prawns, Mango and Coriander Sauce
Pate de Foie Gras
I only had water during the dinner - but if anybody is interested in the wine list i can of course post that also.
When reading Tripreports about Thai Airways you get the impression that the quality of the crew can be quite different. On my flight they where really great. Unfortunately i can`t say the same about the Meal - don`t get me wrong - it was good - but somewhow you expect something special when flying first class. Thai Airways also offeres pre ordered Meal - maybe i will try one of these next time.
Now about the entertainment system. It is of course AVOD with a selection of Movies (new ones and classics) not hundreds or thousands as other airlines but certainly enough to keep you entertained during the flight. And of course also TV-Series - and not only one or two episodes from each.
Soft Boiled Rice with Accompaniments (Oriental Style)
Landing in Bangkok was on time and immediately after leaving the Airport i was greeted by the Thai Airways Ground Personal - more about the experience at the Airport in the next chapter.
ARJ85
Aug 20, 12, 8:10 am
Where the on-board experience didn`t stand out when comparing it to my other first class flights with different airlines i had so far - the transfer service at the airport did really impress me.
You almost don`t have to do anything by yourself - you get picked up at the aircraft - driven from there to the Lounge (or immigration if BKK is your destination) and get escorted from the lounge back to your next flight.
The only akward part was that you have to go through security once - and there is no dedicated priority line - your driver simply skips the line with you behind him - and everybody in the line wondering whats going on.
The lounge was really quite so early in the morning. There is a nice menu with different meal and drink options available, but as i just had breakfast on board i just had a coffee and some nuts.
Thai also offers different massages for first class travellers - but i didn`t have the time to try any of them.
For the short flight from Bangkok to Yangon Thai uses a A330-300 widebody. As this aircraft is only used for short and medium range inter-asia routes there is no first class on board this plane. The Business Class Cabin is in a 2-2-2 layout with recliner seats.
Despite the short flight time there is a full meal service:
First Course
Fresh Fruits
Main Course
Stir-fried Rice Chicken with Pineapple
Dessert
Vanilla Danish Pastry
Unfortunately i fell asleep soon after takeoff - so the only picture i have from this flight is when i woke up during decent into Yangon airport.
I had arranged my visa a few weeks earlier through the Myanmar Embassy in Berlin (i think by now there is also Visa on Arrival possible - but only for transits) and so it didn`t take long to pass immigration.
ARJ85
Aug 20, 12, 8:12 am
After leaving the airport the first thing i noticed was this sticker on my taxi-drivers window:
As you probably guessed the traffic is not that much different from other huge citys in South East Asia.
But there is one thing i have only seen in Myanmar so far: The traffic is on the right side of the street - but the driver also sits on the right side of the car! Myanmar is also the only country in that region where i didn`t see any kind of Tuk-Tuk on the streets. Instead you have taxis, buses, and this kind of pickup:
After checking in at the hotel i first visited Yangon`s most famous landmark - the Shwedagon Pagoda. A 99m high golden Pagode built on a hill in the city. Around the Shwedagon Pagoda is a huge area covered with other smaller pagodas and shrines.
I took this picture from the shore of Kandawgyi Lake - a lake to the east of the Pagoda.
On the east end of the Lake you can see the Karaweik - a replica of a Burmese Royal Barge.
The shore of the lake is divided into different parks (South, East) for which you have to pay an entrance fee. (But i am actually not sure if that only is for tourists)
From the Lake i started walking south towards the city center, past the railway station
(The city really deserves its nickname „Garden City“)
This are just a few pictures - there is of course a lot more to see in this city, like the Sule Pagoda for example, but let me end this chapter with two more pictures of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
I really enjoyed my stay in this hotel. The Location is great - not far from all the sights in the city - but still quite. The service was very good - as was the food in the restaurant.
ARJ85
Aug 20, 12, 8:54 am
At first i didn`t plan to visit Kuala Lumpur - after Yangon i wanted to go to Siem Reap next. But both are citys that are not so easy (and cheap) to get there. But thanks to Air Asia there is at least one city you can almost always use as a hub when flying around asia: Kuala Lumpur. So i booked two flights on Air Asia - one in the afternoon from Rangun to Kuala Lumpur - and one two days later early in the morning from KL to Siem Reap. Giving me one full day in Kuala Lumpur. And also maximising my time in Yangon and Siem Reap.
Air Asia is Asias biggest LCC - famous among other things for the huge order of 200 Airbus A320 NEO they placed last year.
It is a typical LCC - so when booking your flight remember one thing: You get what you pay for.
Aside from the flight itself (and carry on baggage of course) almost everything is extra - but the prices are really reasonable!
In my case i paid for:
-> check in baggage 10$ for 20 kg (prices are in 5kg steps)
-> pre reserved seat 3$
-> a meal 3,24$
Online check in already opens a few weeks bevore departure - so i was able to print all the necessary boarding passes already at home. During online check-in you have again the chance to add or change your extras - for example if you need more luggage.
Flying with an LCC of course doesn`t give you lounge access - so i had to wait in the departure Hall of Yangon Airport - which somehow looks like every other airport...
The premium seats (the first few rows and the exit rows) can only be reserved for an aditional fee - those seats are marked by red headrests (instead of black/grey ones) in the Aircraft
The best view over Kuala Lumpur is not from the Petronas Towers - but from the KL Tower. A TV-Tower on a hill in the center of the city. You have a great view over the city including the Petronas Towers from up there.
As many other Airports Kuala Lumpur also has not only one terminal but two. What makes Kuala Lumpur special is, that those two terminals are not connected to each other. In fact they are 20 km on the road apart. You can say they are two different airports that share the same runway.
Most airlines use the main Terminal - but all the LCC (like Air Asia) use the LCCT.
As the name suggests its a terminal simply build for what a LCC needs. So there are no lounges and huge shopping areas with all the famous brands. Also the architecture is quite simple.
The food was again really good. To be honest it was better than anything i got on similiar flights in Europe even with full service carriers like Lufthansa or British Airways! And that for only 3$
joanek
Aug 20, 12, 10:27 am
Enjoying your report very much! And I loved my visit to the KL Bird Park and the Butterfly House, too!
otambalkar
Aug 20, 12, 2:43 pm
Movie = Entrapment
Scene = One of the last scenes of the movie with CZJ and the one and only Sir Sean Connery.
yoonny
Aug 20, 12, 3:09 pm
Great report and pics!
halfcape
Aug 20, 12, 3:29 pm
Wow, really nice photos. Thanks for posting.
Noelene
Aug 20, 12, 6:47 pm
Great photos, and a great read as well, don't think I have ever heard anyone call themselves a skyscraper nerd ;). Looking fwd to more
RTW4
Aug 20, 12, 7:03 pm
Great report and sensational pictures.. I thank you...
dilvala
Aug 20, 12, 11:09 pm
what kind of camera and lens do u use?
ARJ85
Aug 21, 12, 1:11 pm
Movie = Entrapment
Scene = One of the last scenes of the movie with CZJ and the one and only Sir Sean Connery.
Correct - another movie question comes in the next chapter of my report.
what kind of camera and lens do u use?
For this trip i took two of my Cameras with me:
First of course my DSLR - Canon EOS 60D with three of my lenses:
- Canon EF70-200mm f/4.0 L (really love this lens - its amazingly sharp and not nearly as heavy as the 70-200 f/2.8)
- Tamron SP 17-50 f/2.8 VC
- Tamron SP 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5
The second Camera i used was my Fuji X100 (my new favourite) - actually i think i took more pictures with this one than with the Canon.
And a few pictures are also taken with the iPhone.
I also had my Manfrotto Tripod with me - but used it only on two occasions (The nightphotos in Yangon and Sunrise at Angkor Wat) all the other long exposures (like Kuala Lumpur for example) where made with a Gorillapod.
If you have questions about a particular photo just ask.
exc3ll
Aug 21, 12, 3:46 pm
Excellent pictures! I can't wait to visit Myanmar.
BuildingMyBento
Aug 21, 12, 9:34 pm
As many other Airports Kuala Lumpur also has not only one terminal but two. What makes Kuala Lumpur special is, that those two terminals are not connected to each other. In fact they are 20 km on the road apart. You can say they are two different airports that share the same runway.
Most airlines use the main Terminal - but all the LCC (like Air Asia) use the LCCT.
As the name suggests its a terminal simply build for what a LCC needs. So there are no lounges and huge shopping areas with all the famous brands. Also the architecture is quite simple.
The food was again really good. To be honest it was better than anything i got on similiar flights in Europe even with full service carriers like Lufthansa or British Airways! And that for only 3$
Gee, if that's even "breakfast syrup" in the plastic pouch, I'd be tercengang (astonished).
Also, which other skyscrapers caught your eye in KL?
Moomba
Aug 22, 12, 5:44 am
Nice report. Thanks for posting.
I really like the picture of the burning incense. ^
ARJ85
Aug 26, 12, 8:59 am
Sorry for the delay - work was really busy during the week - but now up to the next part.
As mentioned bevore i arrived quite early in the morning at Siem Reap. But thankfully it was already possible to check in this early at the hotel. So after a quick shower i was on my way to the temples.
Angkor Wat is the most famous of the temples - but only one of many. To enter the area with the temples you first need to by a ticket: Its 20 dollars for one day or 40 dollars for three days (i think also a seven day ticket is available - not sure about the price) As the different temples are quite a distance apart you also need transportation. There are several places around town that rent bicycles if you want to drive by yourself. Most people however take a Tuk-Tuk with driver (cost is around 18 Dollars per day - a little more for the temples further away or if you want to start early to see the sunrise)
But there is really no reason to complain - i knew what i was getting into when travelling during the rainy season - and that was the only time during my trip where rain really interrupted my plans.
To make the most of my time i left Angkor Wat (i did visit it again the next day - more pictures later) and used the time it rained to drive the few kilometers to Ta Phrom.
Where Angkor Wat (and most of the other temples) are cleaned from most of the plants (and even trees) growing on the walls, Ta Phrom is quite different. This one looks quite different as here the jungle really claimed back the whole area - with trees growing everywhere.
I spent a long time in that area and really enjoyed it. Thankfully there is no fixed path through the temple (aside from a few stairs and platforms) - you can really explore it as you want. (So if you ever want to feel like Indiana Jones...)
And the second thing - the last years when travelling i saw more on more Tourists with DSLRs instead of small Point and Shoot Cameras. This was the first trip where i saw lots of people taking pictures with Tablets...
After Angkor Wat i continued to visited the other temples around. Just a short distance to the north lies Phnom Bakheng. A smaller temple that lies on the top of a hill. The Temple itself is not that special compared to all the other sights around. But after you climb up the hill and the temple you have a great look towards Angkor Wat.
The next stop on my trip was Angkor Thom. A 3x3 km Area surrounded by a wall and an artificial channel. Within that wall are a few different temples. Like the Bayon for example which is famous for its stone faces.
Most of the other Temples in the Angkor Thom area are really close to each other. So i had my driver wait there and i just walked around the temples and the beautiful landscape.
And once again - one of the great things is, that you can walk around and explore the temple almost without restrictions (Aside from one small area that is closed for ongoing construction)
But i think that Siem Reap is unique among citys in Cambodia. It looks like the whole city is only there because of the temples and all the tourists visiting them. Lots of Hotels, Bars, Restaurants and so on.
But there was one really surprising thing i learned: I have been to the USA about 6 or 7 times the last years - but never knew that this existed until i got it as change in a restaurant in Siem Reap:
On my last day in Siem Reap - even as my flight to Phnom Penh was only scheduled for 11:30 AM i woke up at 4:00 o`clock in the morning.
You are probably wondering why i did that when on vacation. Well there is one place where you have a nice view on the sunrise behind Angkor Wat - with the Temples reflection in a little pond. Of course everybody knows about that - so to be in the first line of that crowd you have to get up early. Actually i wasn`t only in the first line - i was the first one there. (aside from a few guys selling coffe) But soon it got really crowded.
Wow! fantastic photos, brought back so many wonderful memories of Siem Reap! I loved our time in Angkor Wat.
Thank you!
deniah
Aug 26, 12, 5:09 pm
really good pictres
ok2uselane
Aug 27, 12, 12:37 am
But there is one thing i have only seen in Myanmar so far: The traffic is on the right side of the street - but the driver also sits on the right side of the car!
When I was in Myanmar, a few years back, my driver explained that this was because they got all their cars "used" from Japan.
Great report!
;)
glennaa11
Aug 27, 12, 10:38 am
Great photos indeed! The purple sky Angkor Wat could win all sorts of prizes.
Did you also visit Shwedagon at night? For me the best time to go is late afternoon so you see it in daylight and then all lit up after the sun goes down. No visit to Bagan or elsewhere in Myanmar?
Also a little surprised your itinerary only shows Vientiane and not also Luang Prabang.
But great report!
ARJ85
Aug 27, 12, 12:06 pm
Great photos indeed! The purple sky Angkor Wat could win all sorts of prizes.
Did you also visit Shwedagon at night? For me the best time to go is late afternoon so you see it in daylight and then all lit up after the sun goes down. No visit to Bagan or elsewhere in Myanmar?
Also a little surprised your itinerary only shows Vientiane and not also Luang Prabang.
But great report!
Thanks for your kind words.
Actually the main purpose of my trip was to visit Angkor Wat. I was thinking about spending more time in Myanmar and visit Bagan or maybe the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda - but that will have to wait for my next visit. The same can be said about Luang Prabang. As i had only 10 days for the trip i had to focus on a few citys - and as my return flight was from Vientiane i didn`t want to cram another city into my itinerary.
And thanks for the tip about Shwedagon Pagoda - at night i only took the pictures from the shore of the lake - but didn`t visit the pagoda itself. But i will definately go there next time.
bthotugigem05
Aug 27, 12, 2:24 pm
What gorillapod do you use? Also, it looks like a lot of these are HDR, what HDR software do you use?
ARJ85
Aug 28, 12, 5:55 am
What gorillapod do you use? Also, it looks like a lot of these are HDR, what HDR software do you use?
I had the Gorillapod-Focus with me (the biggest one i think)
It works fine with a DSLR and a Standard Zoom Lens like my Tamron 17-50mm - but with a bigger lens (like a 70-200mm) you only have a chance if there is absolutely no wind.
It is of course a lot more flexible with a smaller Camera like the X100 i had also with me - here i could even use a Ballhead between Camera and Gorillapod without problems.
Unfortunately i broke one of the Gorillapods Legs between Kuala Lumpur and Siem Reap. Usually i use a tripod for the different exposures needed for a HDR. Not only because you can be absolutely sure, that all the pictures are the same angle - it also makes it easier to get the perfect exposure times for the different images. The HDR Software i use right now is Photomatix.
ARJ85
Aug 28, 12, 6:20 am
My next stop on this trip would be Phnom Penh - the capital of Cambodia. And the Airline of choice for the flight there Cambodia Angkor Air (ok its also the only airline that flies that route) The Airline is Cambodias National Airline and according to Wikipedia they have two ATR72-500 and two A321 in their fleet - which means i could see half of their fleet at the Airport.
The Airport at Siem Reap is divided into an international and a domestic part. As the only domestic flights are a few times a day to Phnom Penh and a few flights to Sikhanouville every week the domestic part isn`t really big of course. This is the whole airside area:
Such beautiful pictures. I'm going to RGN in less than a month, and although there for less than a day, I'm now looking forward to it much more.
ARJ85
Sep 2, 12, 5:55 am
I didn`t have much time in Phnom Penh - and actually didn`t really have a plan what to do there - so i just took a walk around the city. Here are a few of the pictures i took during there.
Cambodia is a beautiful country - with lots of really nice and friendly people. But not too long ago - during the brutal rule of the Khmer Rouge - it was a very different place. One reminder of that time is the Tuol-Sleng-Genocide-Museum. It formerly was a school but the Khmer Rouge used it as a prison.
I stayed at the Governor's Residence in Yangon. It was a lovely hotel and well situated in the city, but just beyond walking distance from the buzz of the downtown.
The photos of Cambodia (and your other countries) are also wonderful.
ARJ85
Dec 5, 12, 2:02 am
Entrapment
Correct
ARJ85
Dec 5, 12, 2:08 am
The next flight was a little strange. I actually booked directly on the Lao Airlines Homepage Flight QV920 PNH-VTE. But when arriving at the Airport there was no sign of this flight. No Check In desk, not mentinoned on the FID, nothing. Finally i found out that it was a codeshare - operated by Vietnam Airlines as Flight VN920. So no big deal - but i still find it a little strange that it wasn`t mentioned anywhere.
So this meant no new airline for me - i had flown Vietnam Airlines already - but not in a A321.
The first rows of the Plane are business Class in 2-2 layout - so nice wide seats - but not with much legroom.
Immigration to Laos was very quick. I could get my Visa directly at the airport. Only had to pay 21 US-Dollars (20 for the visum and one for a picture)
ARJ85
Dec 5, 12, 2:15 am
The last stop of my trip was Vientiane - the capital of Laos.
I've always wanted to go to Rangoon and Vientiane. Your wonderful pictures have only served to heighten my anticipation of such a trip. Thanks for the nice photo report from this exotic corner of the world. ^^