Has anyone been to Myanmar recently?
Feb 28th, 2009, 06:41 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has anyone been to Myanmar recently?
I'm hoping to visit Myanmar in a few months. I'm told that the situation with the government has relaxed a lot now and as long as I avoid traveling by train everything is OK.
Is there anyone who can give me a real heads up on the situation. What sort of things do I need to bring? What about toiletaries? Are they in all the shops or do I need to take them with me?
Thanks guys.
Is there anyone who can give me a real heads up on the situation. What sort of things do I need to bring? What about toiletaries? Are they in all the shops or do I need to take them with me?
Thanks guys.
Feb 28th, 2009, 07:19 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you done a search? The search function on this new enhanced site works well. You can search for a particular term, or you can search for posts tagged Burma/Myanmar. There are a number of excellent recent trip reports here
I can't figure out what you mean about "the situation with the government has relaxed a lot now and as long as I avoid traveling by train everything is OK." It's never been dangerous for tourists in Burma (unless you are a reporter or a news photographer) - only for the locals. The government continues to imprison pro-democracy activists and demonstrators, so that really hasn't changed.
I can't figure out what you mean about "the situation with the government has relaxed a lot now and as long as I avoid traveling by train everything is OK." It's never been dangerous for tourists in Burma (unless you are a reporter or a news photographer) - only for the locals. The government continues to imprison pro-democracy activists and demonstrators, so that really hasn't changed.
Mar 1st, 2009, 06:02 AM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just recently returned from Myanmar and it was spectacular and the locals certainly appreciate the few tourists that are visiting. Can't answer about toiletries since I took all that I would need, but you do need to take cash since only a couple of high end hotels accept c.cards, and there are no ATM's.
Mar 1st, 2009, 06:19 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding toiletries - as an example, my Gillette razor broke while were in Myanmar. Our guide took me to a little store while we were touring Bagan - there was a decent choice - 2 or 3 maybe but no replacement for my 3 blade model. I settled for the 2 blade model which was the most expensive choice and I was happy with that. Bottom line is, in an emergency you'll get by just fine but if you are really fussy about what you use, be sure to bring it with you.
Mar 1st, 2009, 08:32 AM
#7
I had heard that you should avoid trains as they are run by the government and therefore the money goes directly to the regime. I hadn't heard that it was dangerous, although maybe slow and uncomfortable. (But a quick check on Lonely Planet says that trains in Myanmar derail frequently!)
