shelleyk

I am planning a january trip of 16 days on the ground to Myanmar. I am thinking of adding another 7 or 8 days to the trip Originally I was going to fly into and out of Bangkok, but I am now thinking of flying to KL and seeing Malaka and Georgetown before flying home. Do you think I would be underwelmed by Malaka and Georgetown after seeing Burma? Any other suggestions on where to extend the trip. I've been to Bangkok, Chang Mai and Chang Rai, and to much of Vietnam and Angkor Wat,. Iwould prefer to go someplace I have not been to. I have not been to southern Thailand, but I am not a beach person and am afraid I would get bored after a day or two there. Is there anything culturally interesting to see on the islands or is it a place to just chill out and soak up the sun?

Kathie

shelly, if it was me, and, unfortunately, it isn't, I'd spend the whole time in Burma.

Alternatively, I'd visit Georgetown, Penang for maybe 5 days either before or after Burma. You'll want some good food after spending time in Burma. I'd just choose one of the two places (Melaka or Georgetown).

Southern Thailand is for beaches. If you don't want to spend time on a beach, go elsewhere.

Craig

I have not been to Malaka but have been to Georgetown. I know that Georgetown would definitely be underwhelming compared to Burma. I would not bother with southern Thailand, based on what you are saying. If I were you, I would extend my trip to Laos, especially Luang Prabang - great place to chill out for a few days. Others can chime in on what else to do in that country, if you wish to extend the trip.

shelleyk

Kathy, maybe we will just extend in Burma. I'll have to go back to the guidebook. I wonder if Mirak U is too much to add to this trip, considering the flight and boat ride to get there.

Craig- I just checked airfare from BKK to Luang Probang and it is running between $330 and $560 rt. on Bangkok Air and Lao Air. That seems high for a 2 hour flight. Do you know of any other carriers that fly there from Bangkok?

Kathie

Shelly, Jules went to Mrauk U along with the other major places you are going. Take a look at the trip report again . My sense was that it wasn't too much.

Only Bangkok Air flies from Bangkok to LP. If you fly into Bangkok, you could fly Bangkok Air to Yangon as well, so you'd qualify for the Discovery Pass.

jules39

Another vote for spending the extra time in Burma!!! We could have definately spent more time than we did. Mrauk U was not too much to do in the time we had at all.

jules39

Forgot to say that we tend not to be rushed so we will be more inclined to miss somewhere than rush through it. Take a look at our report & I will be happy to add any info you may have questions on.

shelleyk

Thank you Jules and Kathy. Jules-I will read your TR again and I am sure I will have more questions. But before going any further, I just want to be sure that the river trip to reach Mrauk U is one my DH could tolerate. He is prone to sea sickness on the ocean, but does fine on river cruises such as on the Nile. I assume that the trip to MU is not on a raging river in Jan. Correct?

rhkkmk

malaka is a small town. the old part of town is interesting, but i think overall you would be bored, but in combo with a few days in georgetown it could be fun..

how about a couple of days in singapore too.

if you did something like this i would fly into one place in the north (bkk) and out of sin or visa versa.. air asia and others have cheap connections to all incl yangon.

the add on would be perfect

jules39

Shelly our boat trip in Nov was fine. No white water! Little swells if a bigger boat went past but nothing I think to worry about.