Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

<Enter Destination Here>: Advice for our Next Jaunt

<Enter Destination Here>: Advice for our Next Jaunt

Old Feb 8th, 2008, 03:55 PM
  #21  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Flights in Myanmar are often late or early and seldom on time. I would plan an overnight stop before making any international flight out of Yangon.
Hanuman is offline  
Old Feb 8th, 2008, 05:49 PM
  #22  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
check with eddie in bkk for flight prices....he may do better for you

[email protected]
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2008, 03:11 AM
  #23  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We used Eddie for our Bangkok - Yangon flights on Thai by the way...
Craig is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2008, 06:12 PM
  #24  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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)?
filmwill is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2008, 07:54 PM
  #25  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Femi is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2008, 08:35 PM
  #26  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Keep Inle in your plan! A little cold at night but in the daytime it's quite pleasant. IMO go to Inle, Bagan and a night in Yangon, see the Shwedagon Pagoda!

Hanuman is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2008, 01:55 AM
  #27  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Craig is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2008, 08:29 AM
  #28  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
filmwill is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2008, 05:54 PM
  #29  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
do myanmar as craig suggest and go to long beach upon your return....problem solved!!!
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2008, 06:00 PM
  #30  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
filmwill is offline  
Old Feb 20th, 2008, 09:46 AM
  #31  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
filmwill is offline  
Old Feb 20th, 2008, 05:34 PM
  #32  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
billy--i have had troubles having my e mails to burma go through....i would send it again...
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Feb 20th, 2008, 06:41 PM
  #33  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bill, remember that they turn off internet access periodically in Burma. Keep trying.
Kathie is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Vagabond_Cowgirl
Asia
7
Feb 23rd, 2016 09:13 AM
jcontreras
Asia
20
Oct 17th, 2009 12:54 PM
redtop
Asia
6
Nov 11th, 2005 10:26 AM
kacollier
Asia
4
Mar 7th, 2005 09:50 PM
fate_golfman
Asia
5
Jul 22nd, 2004 10:39 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -