<Enter Destination Here>: Advice for our Next Jaunt
#22
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#24
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Ok--so I'm narrowing this down a bit now, thanks to your keen advice.
Need a really honest opinion now.
It seems to me that you guys are all right--I am definitely packing way too much into this trip. So my question then becomes: is Inle Lake worth it in December? I'm not wild on the idea of near freezing temps at night--and I guess I'm just wondering if it's essential or not. It seems like if we dropped that, this could work. Yangon and Bagan are in, but do you think it's something we'd regret missing?
Right now, I'm exploring the following:
BKK--Yangon--Bagan--Yangon--BKK--Island (either Ko Ngai/Hai or Ko Racha)--BKK
That seems to be a much more reasonable itinerary, but then again, that gives me maybe 1 or 2 extra days I don't know what to do with now.
Also, what'd be good to do with 2 days in Yangon (bookending the trip to Bagan)? Are there any interesting side trips (maybe we could spend the extra day there)?
Need a really honest opinion now.
It seems to me that you guys are all right--I am definitely packing way too much into this trip. So my question then becomes: is Inle Lake worth it in December? I'm not wild on the idea of near freezing temps at night--and I guess I'm just wondering if it's essential or not. It seems like if we dropped that, this could work. Yangon and Bagan are in, but do you think it's something we'd regret missing?
Right now, I'm exploring the following:
BKK--Yangon--Bagan--Yangon--BKK--Island (either Ko Ngai/Hai or Ko Racha)--BKK
That seems to be a much more reasonable itinerary, but then again, that gives me maybe 1 or 2 extra days I don't know what to do with now.
Also, what'd be good to do with 2 days in Yangon (bookending the trip to Bagan)? Are there any interesting side trips (maybe we could spend the extra day there)?
#25
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As much as I loved Inle Lake, I don't think I would have been as enthralled in the winter. It was a little chilly zipping along in the boats when I visited in August/September, I couldn't imagine what it would feel like in December. So sadly, even though it was the location I loved most in Burma, I think i would skip it in the winter.
I wasn't overly enthralled by the temples of Bagan, but then I'm just not a temple person (got templed out in Siem Reap).
My second favorite part of my trip was the Irrawaddy cruise.
I didn't think there was that much to see in Yangon. 1 day of seeing the city was enough for me.
I wasn't overly enthralled by the temples of Bagan, but then I'm just not a temple person (got templed out in Siem Reap).
My second favorite part of my trip was the Irrawaddy cruise.
I didn't think there was that much to see in Yangon. 1 day of seeing the city was enough for me.
#27
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DON'T CUT OUT INLE LAKE! Yes, its chilly in the early morning on the boat but not horribly so and only for an hour or two. The intense sun warms everything up quickly so that by mid-morning you'll feel like you're back in LA (temperature-wise). The beauty and people of Inle Lake should not be missed. I can not imagine visiting Myanmar without going there.
As others have said, the Schwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is a must-see. If you like paintings, there are several interesting art galleries in Yangon with works for sale at ridiculously low prices.
While you can easily "do" Bagan in 2 days, I would still recommend taking it all in at a slower pace and spending 3 days there.
I know this doesn't make it any easier. By doing the beach you are eating up a lot of vacation time just getting there and back. To fully appreciate Myanmar and its diversity, Inle Lake is essential. Save the beach for another time.
As others have said, the Schwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is a must-see. If you like paintings, there are several interesting art galleries in Yangon with works for sale at ridiculously low prices.
While you can easily "do" Bagan in 2 days, I would still recommend taking it all in at a slower pace and spending 3 days there.
I know this doesn't make it any easier. By doing the beach you are eating up a lot of vacation time just getting there and back. To fully appreciate Myanmar and its diversity, Inle Lake is essential. Save the beach for another time.
#28
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I figured as much...
Thing is, we can't take the beach out this time. There isn't another trip--at least not for a very, very long time.
Selfishly, I'm not willing to write that part off, since it was an essential part of our original plan to return.
I'll just have to figure a way to make this work somehow.
Thing is, we can't take the beach out this time. There isn't another trip--at least not for a very, very long time.
Selfishly, I'm not willing to write that part off, since it was an essential part of our original plan to return.
I'll just have to figure a way to make this work somehow.
#30
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Long Beach?!? Bob, please tell me you're kidding...
There are many jokes to be had here--but suggesting Long Beach as a substitute beach destination is like suggesting Newark as a cosmopolitan destination for shopping.
We'll figure this out--just going to have to pinch one day somewhere in there.
I take this as a travel challenge--haven't had many of those in the last year or so, so this should be fun!
There are many jokes to be had here--but suggesting Long Beach as a substitute beach destination is like suggesting Newark as a cosmopolitan destination for shopping.
We'll figure this out--just going to have to pinch one day somewhere in there.
I take this as a travel challenge--haven't had many of those in the last year or so, so this should be fun!
#31
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Craig, et al,
I emailed Santa Maria (and 1 other agency) over a week ago and haven't heard back anything.
Was your experience that delayed in getting a response? Just wondering if this is par for the course or not.
Just trying to figure out flight costs/timeframes to see if we can make the Burma thing work or not.
I emailed Santa Maria (and 1 other agency) over a week ago and haven't heard back anything.
Was your experience that delayed in getting a response? Just wondering if this is par for the course or not.
Just trying to figure out flight costs/timeframes to see if we can make the Burma thing work or not.