Another Incredible Myanmar Experience Was Over
Another unbelievably varied and unique Myanmar trip over, I have a few thoughts and suggestions for travel here:
- In any Buddhist country, wear sandals, Tevas or flip-flops because you are constantly taking shoes on and off.
- Bring calcium and vitamin pills. This country, and many other 3rd world countrie, are very deficient in milk products, cheese, yoghurt and, depending on the season, fruit.
- Men, wear long pants; women long pants, capris or shorts that hit well below the knee. Otherwise, you will thought of as culturally insensitive.
- Check with several tour operators on the internet, tell them what you want to see and do and compare prices.
- The Narawat Hotel in Mrauk U had the best food in the remote regions.
- It's always a good idea to bring a fleece and windbreaker with you. Even in hot countries for use on boats, early morning departures and in case it's cold. It was very cold on all the boats early in the morning.
- If you are using a SLR camera, bring lots of film and mega batteries for that camera and/or digital camera. Both are impossible to find in these remote areas.
- Always exchange money in a local market and DON'T exchange a lot. Big new bills, $100's and post-2000, get the best exchange rate. Credit cards aren't accepted anywhere.
- If you plan on hiking or trekking, wear supportive boots. The trails are very rocky and stony and it would be easy to twist an ankle.
- You need a flashlight. Even hotels with their own generators had intermittent power cuts. I walked into a wall one night when the power at a nice hotel went off for several hours.
- ONLY DRINK BOTTLED WATER in all Asian countries with the exception of Singapore.
Some of the wonderful faces and people we were privileged to interact with in Myanmar...
The perpertually smiling, good-natured, wonderful Toe who never stopped worrying about our comfort, knew the answers to every question ex-Marine and I asked (if he didn't, he made it his business to get the answers) and without Toe, Myanmar couldn't have possibly been the outstanding experience it was. (By the way, Toe's college degree is in Physics!)
Thank you Toe, for all your hard work. Running the trip as smooth as silk, ordering ex-Marine and my favorite foods, taking us to places off the beaten path, patiently translating all those conversations with the local people, and sending us off with nothing but happy memories of Myanmar.
With the recent problems in Myanmar, I still say go if possible. If you stay away, it only hurts the Burmese people...not the Government...and visiting shows your support for them.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...go and see for yourself. You'll never regret it!
