Trip to Myanmar mid-June

Hi again everyone,

Now I%26#39;m in SE Asia (specifically Vietnam) and I%26#39;m scheduled to go to Myanmar on June 15. I%26#39;m still trying to decide whether to go. So I%26#39;m asking for advice. Obviously, I don%26#39;t want to get in the way of relief efforts.

I was wanting to visit Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and (maybe) Inle from June 15-26.

I have airline tickets from Bangkok to Yangon, but no hotel reservations or domestic airline tickets. I tried to e-mail a couple of local travel agencies a few days ago, but I never heard back from anyone. I think maybe the trip is just not feasible at this time.

Does anyone have any advice or thoughts? I was hoping that by going I might even help the economy in a very small way since I think there probably aren%26#39;t many tourists in areas that previously relied on tourists.

thanks, travelgail

Trip to Myanmar mid-June

Hi Travelgail,

Where you plan to go i.e. Bagan, Mandalay and Inle are well out of the way of the areas afected by the cyclone; so you would have no problem. I have been in contact with my friends in Yangon. Yangon itself is functioning and the main sites could be visited; though you will definitely note the efffects of the cyclone on the surroundings, by that I dont mean suffering as in the delta areas, but I mean buildings damaged and trees fallen although much of them are being cleared, especially on the main roads. Yangon City Center appeared to have fared relatively better in comparison to the outlying districts on the whole although it was affected as well. Much of the e-mail connections as well as the telephone lines are still not functioning and although some telephone connections have been restored. The telephone connections appear to be better off than the e-mails ( it is the servers which appear to be put out of action). I would imagine that there are relatively few tourists there now that you would be able to turn up at the hotel and be able to get a room. If I were you, I wouldn%26#39;t miss the opportunity you have now to see Yangon, then continue to see Bagan, Mandalay and Inle where I am very sure you will be very welcomed!

Khayeethe

Trip to Myanmar mid-June

At the moment, we have only few tourist and if you already get the visa and tickets , please do visit. In tourist industry, everyone is look forward and want to well-come you.

As mention, you are able to get hotel and domestic airline tickets very easily.

Actually, most of the e-mail are phone lines are back already. If you want , you can try this e-mail ,aye@amtt.com.mm , info@amtt.com.mm, www.adventuremyanmar.com. I know that they are working. If you are looking for 3 star and above hotel, it is better to deal with travel agency then direct to hotel. You may get better rate. If you just looking for economy, it is easy to check in after you arrive Yangon.

Yangon is almost back to normal and other area which you want to go are not affected all.

Thanks for the information. I%26#39;ve decided to go. I have almost all the arrangements and everyone says it%26#39;s a good idea.

I just sent an e-mail to the people you suggested. I%26#39;ll report back here if I hear from them. I haven%26#39;t heard from anyone else I%26#39;ve tried to contact so far. I think the problem is the e-mail being out.

Any further advice or encouragement is welcome!

thanks, travelgail

Travelgail,

Do not forget to bring rain coat and umbrella. It is rainy now.

If you have trouble getting contact and if I can be of help, you can drop me a mail in my box. Please note that I am not self advertising or try to get any profit from this. I just want to help you and my some poor countrymen who looking forward for the tourist and because you said, you don%26#39;t get any contact.

Travelgail,

Do not forget to bring rain coat and umbrella. It is rainy now.

If you have trouble getting contact and if I can be of help, you can drop me a mail in my box. Please note that I am not self advertising or try to get any profit from this. I just want to help you and my some poor countrymen who looking forward for the tourist and because you said, you don%26#39;t get any contact.

Hello again.

I did hear from Adventure Myanmar and they can help me book airline tickets and 3 star hotels. So, I think I really am set. Thank you so much for the contact information!

I really appreciate the encouragement I%26#39;ve gotten here.

Any other advice or suggestions is still very welcome!

travelgail

hi travelgail

came back early april after spending 25 days going from yangon to mandalay and then by boat down the irrawaddy to bagan and then flying to thandwe %26lt;nagapali beach%26gt; and then back to yangon

had a great time!!!

we went the previous year but just went to ngapali

but that year we met a nice guy called chin

this year we arrived in yangon and stayed in traders as we had booked it on the net at around $35 as the year previous they wanted $140 !!! as we just walked in of the street

what you need if you dont want to pay exessive prices is a contact like chin

he met us at traders and asked what and where we wanted to go after discussion

the next day he came back with an itinery and prices

he arranged transfers flights and absoulutly fantastic hotels at a lot less than i could get

i found him to be very very honest and trustworthy and he speaks excellent english in fact he even looks english!!

well recommended and if you want to contact him please let me know

i would leave his details but i am not sure if trip advisor would allow it!!

you could contact me on portlandhealthca@btconnect.com if you wish

whatever you decide i am sure you will have a great time and find the burmese people to welcome you with open arms

if i can help further please contact me

regards and good health

truey

Dear travelgail,

Happy to hear that you have already get contact. Please do us a favour, after your return, please share your experience on this forum.

Thank you and welcome you from Myanmar.

I just wanted to update everyone. I did visit Myanmar and the trip went very well. The cyclone is no reason not to visit Yangon (and certainly doesn%26#39;t directly affect travel in Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake).

In Yangon, I did see evidence of the cyclone with large trees uprooted in parks and the windows still out of a few buildings I drove past. But the streets, electricity, hotels, infrastructure, etc. were all fine.

There were very few tourists in the country. My hotel in Yangon (the Summit Parkview) was still full, though, with relief workers. Many of them expected to be leaving by August or September.

In Bagan, there were very few tourists. Of course, June is low season anyway in Myanmar, but there were really hardly any tourists. I could identify them on two hands. This did lead to a few small inconveniences. At least one night I was the only person staying at my hotel (Thazin Garden) and they seemed a bit reluctant to turn on the generator when the electricity went out (which it did several times per day). I can%26#39;t blame them, I%26#39;m sure it was very expensive to do so for just one guest.

Also, while many of the souvenir stands near the various temples were closed, the people running those that were open were particularly persistent. And it did get annoying at times. I really tried to not let it bother me, because I tried to remember how much it must matter to people, but sometimes I was just hot and tired and it would get to me. At one point one guy trying to sell sand paintings (I%26#39;d already bought some from other people) followed me from one temple to another. He just had such a look of desperation in his eyes and voice as be begged me to buy something that I broke down and did so. The look in his eyes still haunts me. But no matter how desperate people are or how much I%26#39;d like to help, I couldn%26#39;t possibly have bought things from everyone who asked. I just don%26#39;t have that much money. Almost no one has THAT much money.

A few of the restaurants along the river in New Bagan were also closed due to lack of tourists.

In Mandalay, I tried to see the Moustache Brothers. I went to their house, but no other tourists showed up that night so there wasn%26#39;t a show. I did get to meet them and chat a bit and take a couple of pictures, though, so I%26#39;m glad I went.

I almost didn%26#39;t go to Inle Lake, because I thought I didn%26#39;t have time, but it ended up being my favorite place in Myanmar. The day I spent on the lake was at the top of my list. I was the only customer at almost all of the restaurants I ate at in Nyaungshwe. In fact, I had to go in and ask if they were open. Everyone said ';yes'; and then ran to fetch a table for me.

The Bangkok Air flight from Bangkok to Yangon was close to full. There were only 3 or 4 westerners on the plane, though. Immigration was very quick in the non-Myanmar passport line.

The Air Asia flight from Yangon to Bangkok was less than 1/2 full even though Air Asia has cancelled a bunch of their flights.

So all and all, I%26#39;m glad I went. Thanks to everyone here for your earlier advice and encouragement.

travelgail