Volunteering

I am currently traveling in Asia and have 6 months left before I return home. I would like to head to Myanmar to assist with anything I can. I am an electrician back home and sure my services can be used there.

I understand they are not letting people in at the moment but i think its only a matter of time before they do.

Does anyone know and agencys or organizations I can contact in regards to this.

thank you

Volunteering

Dear Saffa999,

Many many thanks. Please try www.dec.co.uk (The Disasters Emergency Committee)I believe some of their member%26#39;s staff are already there; and they have experience with Burma situation. They are currently appealing for donations, but check them out, they also have links to how further you can be of help.

Khayeethe

Volunteering

Dear Saffa999,

I do apologise. The website for DEC should read www.dec.org.uk

Khayeethe

hi saffa999, FYI yesterday news release says all aid workers are allowed to enter to the Country. This might be an inspiration for you to come in.

Cyclone damage to tourist spots?

Did the Shwedagon Pagoda and other tourist spots in Yangon suffer cyclone damage? If so, when will the damage be repaired? I hear the Road to Mandalay cruise ship was badly damaged. When will it be repaired?

I have a trip planned to Myanmar in January 2009 and hope that everything will be repaired by then.

Cyclone damage to tourist spots?

Shwedagon Pagoda have minor damage,now re-opened alread.

I will check with road to Mandalay and get back to you but I have my doubt that it will damage. Normally , road to Mandalay is stationed in either Mandalay or in Bagan area and these area are not effected. If she came down to Yangon, then it is possible.

Inle Lake, Mandalay, Bagan is not effected at all. In Yangon, toursit site do not have major damage except you may broken trees. 80% of trees are gone and no more green seen.

Cyclone damage to tourist spots?

Thanks. I read on the Governor%26#39;s Residence website that Road to Mandalay ship was dry-docked in Yangon and suffered much damage. Let me know what you learn.

Thanks. I read on the Governor%26#39;s Residence website that Road to Mandalay ship was dry-docked in Yangon and suffered much damage. Let me know what you learn.

Look, if the trip starts in Yangon, since Yangon port was severely damaged - I saw the picture, unless the port is rebuild by then, your trip cannot start from that dock.

I hear the Pandaw boats at Mandalay were untouched-consider them for your visit as it is unsure whether RTM will be repaired , considering the poor occupation rates they suffered in the last 12 months.

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how did a burmese get the passport in tachilek?

I have a girl friend which stayed at shan state near Mae Sai(Tachilek).Shes now 19 years old.We loving each other since 2006.Her parents are very old %26amp; poor,daily expances depending on her.she decided to get a passport so that we can married but i don%26#39;t know how the situation at all.I heard that the costs is very expensive %26amp; the regulation is very complicated,it makes me headache.did anyones help me for this? Thank you very much.

how did a burmese get the passport in tachilek?

Looking answer for a similar request.

Anyone - advice please :)

World War 2 battlefield relics

Does anyone know if or were there are any relics from World war 2 ? Planning on spending 1 month plus in Thailand\ Myanmar , would like to explore for relics from the war

Thanks

World War 2 battlefield relics

The main campaigns were in the North on the Indian border and through the Arakan (now Rackine)through Cox%26#39;s Bazaar (now Bangladesh)and Akyab (now Sitway)

down to Tauntok through the mountains to Prome (now Pyay)

Best research is through reading Viscount Slims book on the campaigns.

Prome saw heavy fighting and, as you probably know, the Allies destroyed the old Mandalay fort when retaking the City.

A must is the Allied War Memorial at Htaukkyant just North of Yangon and also the Cathedral in Yangon with many Regiments Crests in stain glass.

World War 2 battlefield relics

Billpro

Another thought.

The Burma Star Association has branches in most major Cities in the UK and many surviving members ,and relatives of those who did not return ,visit Myanmar each year (October-November I think)

The association will be able to give you a good idea of where you can visit and what you can see.

Hey thanks for the info , will check out the books in the post. Looking for relics of tanks, aircraft and such to photograph. Amywhere else I could go in Asia for that ?

I saw some of the old tanks near Shwedagone Pagoda ( U Wisarya Road , public park )and Kandawgyi park as well as one or two in Army Museum (Shwe Da Gone Pagoda Road) but I don%26#39;t know which year . They look very old to me.

Hello Billpro,

Thanks for your post.

You can also some 2nd world war historical place in Bangladesh. So, I thinkd you should not miss it.

Saiful

Dhaka

Ngapali beach affected by Nargis?

HAs Ngapali beach been affected by the cyclone devastation? I have read a lot aof marvelous reviews on in, and I%26#39;d really like to spend some days ther while in Myanmar. By the way, I was thinking about booking SANDOWAY RESORT, but can consider other options.

Thanks!

Ngapali beach affected by Nargis?

No, Ngapali beach did not effected at all.

Ngapali beach affected by Nargis?

Love Sandoway resort - stayed four times including over a New Year. see my review.

For a change we have booked Aureum Resort %26amp; Spa, Ngapali this time and will post eventually!

HI Agent 09,

My preference will be either the Ngapali Beach Hotel or the Thande Ngapali Hotel. The Thande Ngapali is much newer than the other; but the other has been established longer and both are in the prime area. I found the Sandoway a bit overgrown with plants (shrubs and trees) and more expensive.

Khayeethe

The Sandoway plants and trees are a very well managed plantation of gardens and specimen shrubs and trees with orchids and wonderful flowers - also giving some shade whilst you lie on your planters chair on your deck drinking Mandalay Sour-it is pricey though.

Is all the decent burmese jade taken out of myanmar?

just wondering if good quality jade can be purchased plentifully in myanmar, or does all the good quality stuff get moved out, where it will bring more money?

Is all the decent burmese jade taken out of myanmar?

Hi, I am from Myanmar and my family used to engage in jade trading. To tell you the truth, there is no good quality jade at all sold in the market patronized by tourists but instead the merchants are just trying to sell some worthless coloured stones to tourists. Good quality jade rarely enter the retail market but are rather collected directly by the corrupted trading companies and you will be able to buy them only through either auction or smuggling. I can assure you that 70% of jade sold in the tourist market are worthless. If you are not very knowledgeable in identifying the quality and price of jade, I won%26#39;t suggest you to buy any kind of ';precious'; stones in Myanmar my friend.

Is all the decent burmese jade taken out of myanmar?

If you want decent jade visit China but a Burmese Ruby

is ,so I am told . the best in the World.

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yangon (Rangoon) for backpackers 2009 inquiries

Dear Yangon advisers,

I am planning my trip to Yangon in 2009. Hopefully by then, the situation over there will get better. Even so, disaster tourism has always been interesting too.

USD = Us Dollar

MMK = Myanmar Kyat

These are the problem I am facing:

1. What currency are they using? As for us (backpackers), do we need to use USD or MMK?

2. Its better to take bus from Yangon to Mandalay, but exactly in USD or MMK how much is it? Is there an express bus to it or we still need to use a public bus that use ';Yangon - Pegu - Taung ngu - Pyinmana - Meik Tila - Mandalay'; route?

3. Once in Yangon and Mandalay, how much is it to stay in the hostel? Standard rate?

4. Since Myanmar%26#39;s government is controlled by military, is it a problem to a traveller?

5. Is passing border from Thailand by land is a problem? With and without car?

Thats all for my inquiry, your help is highly appreciated. Thank you

kHad-

yangon (Rangoon) for backpackers 2009 inquiries

Since it%26#39;s too far out for 2009, there is no prediction at all what is going on next in the world of uncertainty. But sure it is, that Burma is a safe-to-travel destination. Nothing to do with the regime as long as you keep your steps out of their compounds or political activities. To your questions, it goes like;-

1) Our official currency is MMK (Myanmar Kyat) which can be exchanged from USD in Yangon. Pls note black market rate is way out better than the authorized local money exchange. Local currency is best used in restaurants, and local transportation. Mean while, USD must be used in domestic flights, trains, tourist boats, hotels and guest houses. It means you have to balance 2 currencies.

2) There are regular buses from Yangon to Mandalay

which normally leaves around 03.00PM and it is like 12000 Kyat for a foreigner while express train charge you for 45 USD placing you in reclining seat.

3)It goes between 7000 Kyat (7USD) to 12000 Kyat (12 USD)for a hostel or guest houses.

4)what do you mean? a problem like what?

5) With and without car, it is a problem if you intend to visit inland, like Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon. Because you are allowed to visit border town in 24 hour basis freely. Most done for visa run. The procedure of border crossing is varied from time to time due to political degree. So it%26#39;s not encouraged.

yangon (Rangoon) for backpackers 2009 inquiries

Tripadvisors,

Thank you for your informations. It helps a lot. About the question number 4, you have answered it on the first part of your reply. So, really thanks.

However, there is one problem. I will come from Thailand (Thats the plan). From Tak to Yangon. Is there a bus express service from Thailand (Bangkok) to Yangon? If there is, i guess we can just take the bus right? What is the worst thing that could happen to a traveler if we cross the border (With VISA) inward / outward Myanmar by land?

Thank you for responding my inquiries. Your answer could help other travelers who wanted to visit Myanmar but have no idea on how to do it.

Regards

Khad

Karedo

No.4

Having visited Myanmar 8 times over the years ,I have never any problem with the military.

Whilst I despise the Generals and all they stand for I have found officials(everyone in uniform is ';military';) generally welcoming , helpful and mostly with a smile -as long as you are the same.

Avoid military areas and don%26#39;t try and visit the ';Lady'; and you will be fine.

Hi there, FYI: there is no bus at all from Tachileik to Yangon (Rangoon). And it%26#39;s not permitted to travel by road between cities there; i.e. between Tachileik and Kyaing Tong, between Kyaing Tong and Taung Gyi. The best way is to come across border town from Thailand to Tachileik, then fly in. But in order to do so, you will need to pre-arrange with a local travel agency. Hope this answers you. Cheers!

Tripadvisers,

I understand that there is no bus between cities to yangon. So, you mean that there is no possible way to travel by land from Thailand to Yangon? Total impossible? What about Thailand - Mandalay, is there any land route?

If we have to fly in, how much does it cost? Roughly.

Thanks

kHad-

Tripadvisers,

Sorry, I forgot one more thing..

from Mandalay to Imphal (India), is there any land route? Bus or Train?

Khad

hi.. none of them you mentioned ';Thailand and Mandalay';and ';Mandalay to India border'; work in your tourist type visa. I mean land route only is absolutely not OK.

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