"What a wonderful country." a Burma Travel Page by planxty

I travelled to Burma / Myanmar in March 2006 and stayed for the maximum 28 days allowed on my visa. Let me start by saying that it is probably the most fascinating country I have ever been to.

Of course, there is a huge debate about whether foreign visitors should go there at all. There are numerous websites devoted to the pros and cons of travel in the country, and I don't propose to re-hash the arguments here. Let's just say, I thought long and hard about going, I went, am glad I did, and would certainly go again.

I visited what are sometimes called the "Big Four", that is Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake, all of which were everything I'd hoped they would be, and then some. I also managed to visit a few of the more out of the way places, Hsipaw, Pyay (Prome) and Magwe. Each of these places are described more fully on their respective pages. Please feel free to visit them, and if you have any specific questions please also feel free to VT mail me. I'll certainly try and help you if I can.

Just to give the reader a brief overview of how I went about planning my trip and my itinerary etc. here are a few lines about it.

Firstly, the visa. I got mine by personal application at the embassy in London which is situated @ 19 A, CHARLES STREET, LONDON W1J 5DX. The website for all Myanmar embassies and missions is here so hopefully you can find the one for your country. It was a realtively straightforward process, although I had to leave my passport there for a couple of days.

Next to the flight. For all my longhaul arrangements I use Trailfinders. I have used them for many years and find them to be very good. I got a good deal with Thai Airways. Strangely, although I have travelled to SE Asia several times, this was the first time I had flown Thai, and I found them to be an excellent carrier. I would certainly choose them again.

For a guidebook, as always, I used the Lonely Planet Guide. I know opinion is divided amongst travellers as to the value of LP guides, but I have used them for years and like them.

As regards planning, as usual I didn't! I know it's not a style of travelling that appeals to everybody, but I literally tunred up at Yangon (Rangoon) airport with no hotel reservation and only a vague idea of what my itinerary might be. Travelling alone gives you that kind of freedom. The photo, obviously, is nothing to do with these tips, I just love it.

Starting with five days in Yangon, I travelled by bus to Pyay (Prome), stayed one night, bus to Magwe with one night there and worth it for the sunset photo I got! From Magwe it was a hellish truck ride to Nyaung U which I used as my base for Bagan. I stayed here four nights, and quite wonderful it was.

A very early morning start led to a boat journey to Mandalay, where I stayed a few days before taking a share taxi to Hsipaw. I spent a few days relaxing in this very laid-back town before returning by train over the breathtaking Goktiek viaduct to Mandalay. One more night in the second city and then an overnight bus to Nyaungshwe, my base for Inle Lake. I spent a few days here, before flying back to Yangon (Rangoon) with Air Bagan. They seem to be a good carrier. A few more days in the capital and it was time for me to bid a very reluctant farewell to this golden country and start to plan my return!