Comments on: Bye bye Burma

By: nina

nina — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:45:54 +0000

Hi Faith, not sure about Nyaypyadaw because I only went to Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. It’s true about the crisp US dollar bills. It has to be new, with no folds. Bring smaller bills na rin for small payments. I hear that the airport offers pretty good rates.

I think for the scams, all tourists are equals. Maybe they just try to fleece more from the Caucasians. But yeah, no immunity.

Regarding cycling, if you’re doing it within the city, it’s okay, I suppose. But for long range cycling, maybe not so much. Good luck on your trip! 😀

By: FaithRuthEV

FaithRuthEV — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:20:03 +0000

hi Nina. just happened to stumble to your blog and i find it a refreshing take of Myanmar from an ASEAN perspective (unlike other blog written by ‘whites’ who obviously have some biases on third-world countries). i am planning to travel via cycling in Myanmar (yup, i am that crazy) so i want your opinion if that a wise choice. also, is it true that burmese only accept crisp american dollars? i am also planning to travel to their new capital, Nyaypyadaw (i hope i spelled it correctly). is it open to foreigners? do they also scam other asian tourists as much as they scam the ‘white’ guys?

By: nina

nina — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:47:34 +0000

In reply to Abisha.

I stayed at Ocean Pearl Inn in Yangon, Garden Hotel in Mandalay and New Heaven Guesthouse in Bagan. Unfortunately I don’t have their addresses as I only picked them out of the Lonely Planet guidebook and my book isn’t with me right now.

If you only have four days, I suggest you just stay in Yangon and explore the nearby towns. If you want to go to Bagan, it’s going to be a very tight schedule.

By: Abisha

Abisha — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:33:14 +0000

Nina, can you please share with me the names and contacts of the guesthouses you stayed at Myanmar. I and my hubby is going there this last week of january for a 4-day trip. Can you share your itinerary. Thanks for your time. God bless you and your family.

By: rheeza

rheeza — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:49:45 +0000

i have been to myanmar (burma), i attended an asean folk art festival five years ago… we are on able to visit yangoon but i still cannot forget my experience in myanmar… the pagoda, the food, the people and the arts and crafts… hope i can go there again… missed myanmar!!!

By: nina

nina — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:47:09 +0000

In reply to Mark. Hahaha, yes, riding in any form of transportation in Burma is quite an experience! That encounter with the meditating monk is too funny!

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:24:34 +0000

I remember exploring the ruined temples of Pagan , ruined by the Mongols and the attack was witnessed by Marco Polo no less ! I entered one temple, statues of The Lord Buddha set in niches along the walls , then one moved ! It was a monk that had finished his meditation . lol . You can imagine how high I jumped in fright .Our ride from Pagan to the railway for the train to Rangoon was in the Burmese version of a jeepney ,in the dead of night , hurtling along narrow roads , ox carts parked for the night , no headlights ! the driver flicking on high beam no and then At one stage I foolishly looked at the speedo…80K/h . We made it though .LOL.

By: ron

ron — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:23:03 +0000

That’s it! I’m scouting for cheap flights now!
thanks for the tips Nina… can’t wait to see Burma!

By: nina

nina — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:57:22 +0000

In reply to pinoy boy. I flew in via Malaysia Airlines from Kuala Lumpur, then Air Asia back to KL. Thai Air Asia also fly from Bangkok, as do Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines from Saigon.

By: pinoy boy

pinoy boy — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 06:09:06 +0000

how did you travel to Burma? Which airline did you use? and do you mind sharing how much it is? sorry, so many questions! he he

By: ivan man dy

ivan man dy — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 10:18:10 +0000

your post makes me want to seriously go to Burma. Can’t wait for the next post to whet my appetite!

By: flip

flip — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:18:10 +0000

me too… someday.. ill visit… I tried to enter Burma overland last year via Mae Sot-Tachilek but they say I could only go as far as 2km away fro the immigration border and I have to fly in if I want to explore the country…

thanks for sharing your insights…

By: carlo

carlo — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 07:13:02 +0000

noon ko pa narinig about the beauty of bagan. someday…:-)

By: Marky

Marky — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 07:01:11 +0000

When someone mentioned Myanmar or Burma, the image that comes to mind was Stallone in “John Rambo” machine gunning Burmese soldiers of the Military Junta, thanks to your blog entry I saw a more romanticized, welcoming, interesting place in Myanmar. Like the rest of the Filipinos I wish their country good luck and hope I visit that place someday. 🙂

By: carlo

carlo — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 06:58:24 +0000

wow burma sounds so interesting. congrats! i think you’ve completed all the countries in asean already?