Myanmar, “Fucking Government”

Posted onAuthoramarnanda

Questions you might have too

  1. Is Burma safe?
    Yes. No doubt about that. Militaries won’t do you harm (if you ever see one) and people won’t steel from you. Birmese are true Buddhista and believe in a more miserable life if they do bad things.

  2. Is it hard to get a visa?
    No, unless you are stupid to tell them you are a journalist, photographer or something else the big G doesn’t like to enter there territory.

  3. How does it work with money?
    There are no ATMs or a place to get money out. Bring crispy-rolled-from-the-machine dollars with you in 100 denominations. Also bring some 20 and 10 notes. Change some of the dollars (100 denominations give the best rate) to Kyat (the local currency) on the market at a shop/jewelry or ask there around. Don’t do it on the street. Ask around for the rate, negotiate, decide. Count the Kyats, check the notes, give the dollars, and done.

  4. What to bring?
    See also question #3. Flashlight preventing from falling in potholes or sewege, pens, books, a smile, and a good mood.

  5. Is it okay to talk to people about the big G?
    Yes and no. Let them speak and bring in the topic. talk with descrition, but ask questions. Give them the opportunity to answer. Be aware of code language. In this blog I citated our guide. “Buddhist art” means “a message against the government” in a gentle way, so it will be approved by the censoring board as important religious art. Try to find the other codes 🙂

  6. Can I travel freely?
    Sure, as long as you keep in the dedicated areas. Your LonelyPlanet tells you where (not) to go.

  7. Should I go?
    That is a question you have to answer. Bear in mind that by going there you can show the rest of the world how Burma is like. Spread a message through the world and help them where you can. Also don’t spend your money in government owned business (sometimes unavoidable); spread your money local. as Aung San Suu Kuy said: “Please come to visit my country and travel sensible; our happy and smiley people will welcome you”.

  8. How can I prepare my trip?
    On the Democratic Voice of Burma you find the latest news about Burma.

    Documentaries
    Happy World
    Burma VJ
    Burma Soldier
    Burma – Land of fear

    Books
    Voices of Hope – Alan Clements
    Freedom from Fear – Aung San Suu Kyi
    Letters from Burma – Aung San Suu Kyi
    Burmese Days – George Orwell

    Websites
    Trails of Indochina
    Guide for Myanmar
    Lonely Planet
    Know before you go
    How to get the visa in Bangkok?
    What is the cheapest flight? Bangkok-Yangon

  1. What should be my budget in Myanmar?
    I spent $530 in 28 days which is $19 per day. Of this amount $365 was changed in the local currency (Kyat) with a rate of $1 = K770
    During my trip I stayed in reasonable priced accomodation ($7) and ate vegetarian food. Also I did not take domestic flights. At the other hand I took the more expensive overnight train in the north ($30).
    Expect to pay more if you take domestic flights, eat food with meat or fish or stay in more expensive accomodation.

Travel route

Now I got back from Myanmar the next countries will be Cambodia  and Vietnam. You can have a look on the travel map for the places I want to visit. From Vietnam I need to go back to Bangkok and straight down south to Malaysia.

Stage 1: Amsterdam – Bangkok (6-11 Sept)

Stage 2: Bangkok (12 Sept) – Yangon (B) – Kyaiktiay – Bago – Kalaw – Inle Lake – Bagan – Mandalay – Mingun – Amarapura – Inwa – Mingun/Sagaing – Yangon – Bangkok (9 Oct)

Stage 3: Bangkok (10 Oct) – Ko Chang – Koh Kong (C) – Sihanoukville – Kampot – Kep – Rach Ria (V) – Phu Coc – Can Tho – My Tho – Saigon – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Bangkok (T) – Ko Tau – Khao Sok NP – Krabi (13 Nov)

Stage 4: Krabi (T) – Pulau Penang (M) – Khota Bura – Taman Negara – Kuala Lumpur – Borneo – Brunei – Melakka (M) – Singapore

Note: Click here to read the Ecopod news letter about Teak Wood in Myanmar (Burma).

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