driver/guide
 

we had the most fabulous guide on our recent trip in myanmar. his name is : Mr. Kyaw Naing...you can get in touch with him by e-mailing to: [email protected] his name in the subject line as this is a sharred e mail situation...<BR><BR>he greeted us at the airport and took us everywhere we wanted to go for 6 days...he was flexible and his english is excellent...far better than most guides..<BR>his car is air conditioned and moderately comfortable, which is amazing based on the condition of the roads....<BR><BR>contact us if you want more info or contact him---he will answer you back in a few days unless he is away on a trip with customers in which case it may be a week or so....tell him what you want to do or ask him for suggestions....we stayed around yangon but he often goes way up into the country with people..<BR>enjoy---you WILL enjoy him

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just read an article in the boston paper on burma...it made me think about our driver and how hard his life is---give him your business

topping---no recent interest in burma travel??

Bob, I'm headed for Burma in November. But we're spending a bit more than two weeks, and will be moving from one location to another via riverboat and plane, so won't need a driver. Thanks, nonetheless for posting this info.

kathie---we basically used him around yangon...i assume that you may spend some time there....he is very reasonable and it sure beats cabs...he will also drive to outlying areas and meet you there....

We just returned from a trip to Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. Although it was the hot season, we enjoyed Myanmar the best, specifically the Mandalay region. Had we known prior to trip that a visit to the ruby mines can be arranged, we would have done that. We flew from Yangon to Mandalay and drove from Mandalay to Bagan. Get out in the countryside and see the men work the toddy trees. They do this twice a day. Our guide took us into several small villages, something that apparently few foreign traveler do. In Yangon we stayed at the Traders hotel although a friend who does business in Myanmar says that one can get a room at the Strand for around $150US. We went for a look-see and found that this beautiful upscale hotel of around 35 rooms remains empty most of the time. Happy to answer any questions about our trip.

interesting about strand....we had lunch and a tour there....the place seemed empty...that was november, 02...the price i have seen everywhere is more like $350-400. per nite....i can not understand that in myanmar with the economy the way it is....we paid about $70 for the former renaissance on inya lake and all the others seemed around $100 even for the best....except the strand....i'm sure they get it from people off the orient express boat....?? how was traders...we had luch there and i felt like i was in the old park plaza hotel in boston...the lunch was good .... the pansea or the k..... palace hotel (can't remember how you spell the name) on the lake would be our choice next time....the inya lake was fine, but the rooms were old but huge---not updated since the 60's, except for paint and that 60's was like usa's 40's....but very adequate...the service was great and food very good....

We thought that the Traders was fine. It was built around 1997 and is part of the Shangri-La chain. They have a great western/oriental breakfast buffet and we even ate one evening in the 2nd floor bar(forgot the name). One thing about staying in nice hotels is that the laundry is usually very expensive. The Traders has a small, inexpensive laundrymat on several of the floors... and that really helps. I don't know how much it costs to stay in the Traders because we booked it as part of a package(just my wife and I), but, again, my friend who regularly goes to Myanmar says that you can work a deal for around $40US per night. My only regret is that we didn't stay a bit long in Myanmar. However, it was getting hot and 102 in Yangon when we left.

i have just had a message from our driver Kyaw Naing and he has informed me that he now has his own personal e address....please contact him to be a delightful driver for you while in myanmar, especially in yangon

bob

his new address is: [email protected]

ttt

ttt

Intend to contact this guy. Pls let us know what he charges per day. Many thanks for all the info.

i hired him for our entire stay in yangon...my wife did not write it down but as i remember we paid him $200 for the five days and i gave him a $50 tip---all us currency...he also supplied me with money when i ran short...he was just like our personal chauffeur...he did what ever we wanted...much different from the usual driver when you are on vacation...i could not have been more pleased with him...
tell him bob and karen in boston gave you his name....i have periodic e mail with him now even 1.5 years later...

he will also drive you up into the country if you want or meet you up there if you go by boat....he says he is only a driver, but he is both a driver and a guide...he does not have all the details, but i avoid that anyways because i feel too much info is pure overload...he gave us just enough....

his car is probably 10 years old, but serviceable....

he makes up for anything it lacks...
our five days with him could not have been more perfect..

make sure you read down in the original messages as his e address has changed....

any questions just ask: [email protected] sure your put myanmar in the subj line or i will delete you...

just tell him what you want to do and he will do it...he also makes suggestions....

Is Julie the best Guide for Bangkok? How do I contact her? Anybody ever hear of a guide in Bangkok named Susie?

fyi--artmath