Leslie, what a nice thought about me overthrowing the junta! But we'd better be quiet about it otherwise I'll never get a visa.

Femi feel free to hijack my thread. I'm working on a blog post about places that don't meet our expectations and ones that exceed them... our visions of places are so influenced by our readings and photos we see.

Cool! I would love to read about that.

Here's the URL www.travelindependently.com

This is the blog I was tricked into writing - lol. The entry about expectations isn't finished, but should be posted on Friday.

I loved Bagan and don't think 4 days is too much when you enjoy temples so much. Also, request a room at the far edge of the complex of the Aureum Palace(wish I could remember my room #) so you are looking out onto the plains/temples, not the other rooms.

Thanks for the link Kathie. Good idea about expectations. My motto: "Have none."

Kathie,

Am still struggling with my Laos itinerary. This thread is great and most helpful since it saves me a lot of time in trying to figure things out.


What are the dates you are going to be there? If all goes according to plans I will be flying into Yangon 6th of November to spend 2 1/2 weeks and return in time for the GTG in Bangkok.

Also would you mind sharing your Bangkok dentist's name? You can mail me directly [email protected] Thanks

Nywoman, I'm still fiddling with our Burma itinerary. As of today the plan is to fly into Rangoon on Nov 11 and out of Rangoon on Nov 21. We're planning one night in Rangoon, three at Inle, four at Bagan and two back in Rangoon. Alas! our Bangkok time has been cut to the bone, a mere 5 days.

I'll find my dentist's name and email it to you. Frankly, I think you could just contact Bumrungrad and ask fro a dental appointment. That's how we found her originally.

Sunday there is a Thingyan water festival in NYC, organised by the Burmese Methodist Church. this is the list of foods with pictures they are serving. It should be a good primer for Burma.
http://www.thingyan.org/food.pdf

yum! nice photos.

I read your blog. Karnak and Luxor in general definitely exceeded my expectations, a rare find these days.

Thanks, Femi.

Kathie, We too plan to be in Myanmar in Nov. However Air Mandalay has not yet posted their Nov. schedule and so will not accept reservations. They say they will email the info as soon as possible.

Have you made domestic reservations yet?

Claire

No, I've run into the same problem. I have an agent working on it, but it may be a while.

Thanks Kathie. I am in contact with an Air Mandalay agent and she/he does not rule the possibility of a connection to Chiang Mai in the new schedule. This would be more convenient for us as we plan to do a BKK, Northern Laos, Northern Thailand, Myanmar, BKk, (or the reverse) loop. Let's hope the new schedule/timetable is published soon.

Claire

Yes, I'm impatient to get my flights booked too! I wouldn't hold my breath about the connection to Chiang Mai. As I understand it, Air Mandalay has periodically run this flight but has started and stopped it "at random" in the past.

Kathie: just while I remember this - when I was at Inle Lake a small party of French tourists went out all day on the lake - the same as everybody - they didn't take umbrellas or maybe hats - I dunno. It was HOT. On arrival back at my hotel the tour leader took a shower to cool down.

Boof. Heart attack, heat stroke - who knows? Dead on the floor.

So make sure to take your parasol.

Thanks for that, dogster. As I'm very fair-skinned I'm careful to have a broad-brimmed hat. It's a good reminder to bring the umbrella as well.

Kathie: I just finished this Burma boof. Highly recommended. Enjoyable and informative:





http://www.amazon.com/Land-Thousand-.../dp/1741145074

Thanks, eks, for the recommendation. It's on my Amazon wish-list and will get purchased next order. I've accumulated a whole shelf of Burma books, and plan to publish my list here once I've gotten through all of them.

Finished "From the land of green ghosts" and am now reading
"The river of lost footsteps" Both great books.

Today I went for my Myanmar visa and was given a guide book which included a CD. Haven't watched it yet.

Mandalay air said that the schedule should not change in the fall, am therefore hoping that I can get on a flight from Chiang Mai on Nov. 6th