Help with last minute Myanmar trip!
Sep 30th, 2004, 08:01 PM
#1
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Help with last minute Myanmar trip!
Sorry if this appears twice: I posted it then did a search & couldn't find the link:
I just found the travel deal yesterday, & we leave next Sat. so not a lot of time for research on Myanmar. I'd appreciate any help you can provide!
I've booked my flight Oct 9 to 16. (Sedona
nly hotel offered with the pkg, hope it's OK). This is for 2 adults & a 12 yr old.We will have 1 & 1/2 days in Yangon, then 4 nights unplanned, then the night of the 15th at Sedona Yangon. As the flight is very early, the 16th is only a travel day.From what I gather local travel time eats into the trip a lot.
Would you suggest any order to seeing Inle Lake & Bagan? That seems to be all we'll have time for.
Ideas I have so far:
- Inle Lake :jumping cat temple, boat ride , Kalaw 1 day trek (I hope we have time)
- Bagan: temples.....
- Bagan hotel:Thiripyitsaya Sakura looks nice, or....?
-balloon trip:is it worth it? Should I book ahead?Is it really $250.USD?
-Where to find: elephant ride , gem mine,craft making ?
- Is it still true that credit cards are not accepted at hotels there? Is it only "American" c.cards?
-If no credit cards then I'll at least try to book the hotels on line before leaving.
-If I have to bring US cash how much should I budget?(not incl for souvenirs of course)
-Tipping: do you tip hotel staff, taxi drivers etc.., or only guide & drivers? (I live in a country that doesn't tip at all!)
-I will need a car & driver, should I book there or on line?
Any other advice you can think of would be appreciated (what to see/ not to see).Thanks in advance!
I just found the travel deal yesterday, & we leave next Sat. so not a lot of time for research on Myanmar. I'd appreciate any help you can provide!
I've booked my flight Oct 9 to 16. (Sedona
nly hotel offered with the pkg, hope it's OK). This is for 2 adults & a 12 yr old.We will have 1 & 1/2 days in Yangon, then 4 nights unplanned, then the night of the 15th at Sedona Yangon. As the flight is very early, the 16th is only a travel day.From what I gather local travel time eats into the trip a lot. Would you suggest any order to seeing Inle Lake & Bagan? That seems to be all we'll have time for.
Ideas I have so far:
- Inle Lake :jumping cat temple, boat ride , Kalaw 1 day trek (I hope we have time)
- Bagan: temples.....
- Bagan hotel:Thiripyitsaya Sakura looks nice, or....?
-balloon trip:is it worth it? Should I book ahead?Is it really $250.USD?
-Where to find: elephant ride , gem mine,craft making ?
- Is it still true that credit cards are not accepted at hotels there? Is it only "American" c.cards?
-If no credit cards then I'll at least try to book the hotels on line before leaving.
-If I have to bring US cash how much should I budget?(not incl for souvenirs of course)
-Tipping: do you tip hotel staff, taxi drivers etc.., or only guide & drivers? (I live in a country that doesn't tip at all!)
-I will need a car & driver, should I book there or on line?
Any other advice you can think of would be appreciated (what to see/ not to see).Thanks in advance!
Oct 1st, 2004, 08:32 AM
#2
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The Sedona is a lovely hotel.
Unless you are really into temples one day is enough in Bagan.
Credit cards are essentially useless except at your hotel. Bring cash and make sure it's NEW money. They won't take old bills.
InLe Lake is wonderful. I'd spend 3 days there.
Food etc is cheap.
The gem mines are in moguk and the majority of the crafts are in and around Mandalay.
You should definitely tip. And be as generous as you can. A dollar goes a long way in Burma and the people have very little.
Try myanmartravel for a car and driver and any of your other needs. They are excellent.
Unless you are really into temples one day is enough in Bagan.
Credit cards are essentially useless except at your hotel. Bring cash and make sure it's NEW money. They won't take old bills.
InLe Lake is wonderful. I'd spend 3 days there.
Food etc is cheap.
The gem mines are in moguk and the majority of the crafts are in and around Mandalay.
You should definitely tip. And be as generous as you can. A dollar goes a long way in Burma and the people have very little.
Try myanmartravel for a car and driver and any of your other needs. They are excellent.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:05 AM
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I'll try to answer the questions that I have some ideas about:
- Inle Lake :jumping cat temple, boat ride , Kalaw 1 day trek (I hope we have time)
Not being there
- Bagan: temples.....
Bagan is considered a world wonder for good reasons. It warrents at least two days, even for a layman. Hire a bike($1 to $1.50 per day) to explore the area. The serenity is incredible and the sites are beautiful. Make sure go see the sunset on top of the highest temple
- Bagan hotel:Thiripyitsaya Sakura looks nice, or....?
Stay in the area where the locals live. It is a 15 minutes bike ride to the old Bagan where the luxury hotel are. A nice and clean hotel room is around $10. It offers you a good opportunity to be closer to the local culture, to some very tasty local food, and to other travellers around the world. The luxury hotels in the old Bagan are extremely isolated like resorts from the real life. I am not a cheap person but I just don't see the points to stay in places like that
-balloon trip:is it worth it? Should I book ahead?Is it really $250.USD?
Not being there. But $250 sounds a lot. Wait until you get there before singing up for such things. Chances are that you are going to pay a lot less than if you do it at home
-Where to find: elephant ride , gem mine,craft making ?
Not in Yagon, Mandaly, or Bagan
- Is it still true that credit cards are not accepted at hotels there? Is it only "American" c.cards?
Yes. No credit card, except for the luxury hotels for a good reason of course
-If no credit cards then I'll at least try to book the hotels on line before leaving.
Don't. Myanmar is a VERY safe country to travel around. Just bring with you sufficient USD cash
-If I have to bring US cash how much should I budget?(not incl for souvenirs of course)
For me, excluding the Bangkok/Yangon round trip airfare($160?), I spent average no more than $30 per day in Myanmar. I didn't live cheaply
-Tipping: do you tip hotel staff, taxi drivers etc.., or only guide & drivers? (I live in a country that doesn't tip at all!)
It is a very difficult decision, especially for Americans - they always have the urge to tip. I too. But after years of travelling to many places, I'd say that don't tip in places that tips aren't expected. You don't accompish anything good. You can find some other ways to help the locals(which by the way I did).
-I will need a car & driver, should I book there or on line?
October is still slow season in Myanmar, so you will find nothing fully booked, including all the hotels and transportations. Flexibility is in my opinion the most important factor in good travel planning. So I'd suggest that you don't book anything until you get there to allow you the maximun flexibility.
- Inle Lake :jumping cat temple, boat ride , Kalaw 1 day trek (I hope we have time)
Not being there
- Bagan: temples.....
Bagan is considered a world wonder for good reasons. It warrents at least two days, even for a layman. Hire a bike($1 to $1.50 per day) to explore the area. The serenity is incredible and the sites are beautiful. Make sure go see the sunset on top of the highest temple
- Bagan hotel:Thiripyitsaya Sakura looks nice, or....?
Stay in the area where the locals live. It is a 15 minutes bike ride to the old Bagan where the luxury hotel are. A nice and clean hotel room is around $10. It offers you a good opportunity to be closer to the local culture, to some very tasty local food, and to other travellers around the world. The luxury hotels in the old Bagan are extremely isolated like resorts from the real life. I am not a cheap person but I just don't see the points to stay in places like that
-balloon trip:is it worth it? Should I book ahead?Is it really $250.USD?
Not being there. But $250 sounds a lot. Wait until you get there before singing up for such things. Chances are that you are going to pay a lot less than if you do it at home
-Where to find: elephant ride , gem mine,craft making ?
Not in Yagon, Mandaly, or Bagan
- Is it still true that credit cards are not accepted at hotels there? Is it only "American" c.cards?
Yes. No credit card, except for the luxury hotels for a good reason of course
-If no credit cards then I'll at least try to book the hotels on line before leaving.
Don't. Myanmar is a VERY safe country to travel around. Just bring with you sufficient USD cash
-If I have to bring US cash how much should I budget?(not incl for souvenirs of course)
For me, excluding the Bangkok/Yangon round trip airfare($160?), I spent average no more than $30 per day in Myanmar. I didn't live cheaply
-Tipping: do you tip hotel staff, taxi drivers etc.., or only guide & drivers? (I live in a country that doesn't tip at all!)
It is a very difficult decision, especially for Americans - they always have the urge to tip. I too. But after years of travelling to many places, I'd say that don't tip in places that tips aren't expected. You don't accompish anything good. You can find some other ways to help the locals(which by the way I did).
-I will need a car & driver, should I book there or on line?
October is still slow season in Myanmar, so you will find nothing fully booked, including all the hotels and transportations. Flexibility is in my opinion the most important factor in good travel planning. So I'd suggest that you don't book anything until you get there to allow you the maximun flexibility.
Oct 4th, 2004, 06:54 PM
#4
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two things: to find the rorginal click on your name and you will see all of your postings....
the driver we had in yangon is very good..he is kyaw naing and you can reach him at:[email protected]
he is very reasonable and has a great sense of humor....his car is older as are most in yangon...toyota with a/c
the driver we had in yangon is very good..he is kyaw naing and you can reach him at:[email protected]
he is very reasonable and has a great sense of humor....his car is older as are most in yangon...toyota with a/c
Oct 5th, 2004, 05:24 AM
#5
The Sedona looks really nice. Saw that they have a special rate for travel pros of $105/night, 2 night min, in a Club Room with airport transfers, 2 pieces of laundry/day, breakfast, lunch or dinner. The regular rate is $280.
