It’s been almost a week since Yangon last saw sunshine and, by the looks of things, it might not be back for another five months. If the intensity of the dry season is anything to go by, this rainy season might be a really wet one. But let the moaning come later. There are a few things to love about this time of year:
Mangos
Just look at these things… Photo: Steve Depolo / Flickr
With the wet weather comes that most precious of fruits: a fresh, juicy mango. The Myanmar sein ta lone has a pretty good claim to being the world’s greatest. Eat them quickly, though, because you’ve got about 5 minutes before they go from ripe to rotten.
Umbrellas
So pretty. Photo: Aung Naing Soe / Coconuts Yangon
Owing to the unbelievably heavy rainfall, Myanmar has some of the biggest, hardiest umbrellas around. There’s something a little Breakfast at Tiffany’s about seeing the street crowded with multi-colored brollies. At least it makes for a great photo. Also an excellent weapon against stray dogs.
Discounts
Hpa’An Lodge in Karen state. Photo: Hpa’An Lodge / Facebook
Because very few tourists are silly enough to visit at this time of year, there are some serious deals to be had. Want to go to Ngapali beach? Yeah, maybe not. But if a spot of torrential rain doesn’t bother you, hotels have slashed their prices. Just get in there before they close during the most intense part of the season. What about Hpa’An? Hpa’An Lodge is offering luxurious Karen-style lodges for $80 per night or a family cottage for $160.
The ‘green season’
Yangon’s decades-old architecture turns green with moss in the wet weather. Photo: McKay Savage / WikiCommons
The term used by hoteliers to try to sell rooms in the off-season. But it’s also sort of true. The moss that coats the colonial buildings downtown might bring nothing good for the health, but look at those colors…
The excuse to stay inside
The perfect place to sit out a long rainy night. Photo: alisdair/ Wikicommons
And, this year, we’ve got Netflix.
