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Hotels:
The Bagan Golf Resort in Bagan has added a few nice
bungalows. Thante Hotel in Bagan has built tasteful
Deluxe rooms right on the river bank. The Equatorial
Hotel in Yangon has changed hands. The new owner is
expected to conclude a new management contract with
the Accor group. The first international hotel at the
shore of Inle Lake, Lake View Resort opened 20 rooms
in November 2000. 8 additional deluxe villas are currently
being built. The Paradise Inle Resort, a local hotel
built on stilts over the lake itself opened in December
2000. At the very popular Inle Princess Resort further
suites are currently under construction. The Inle Inn
in Pindaya has added 4 charming suites which sport a
little fireplace each.
Cruise:
RV Pandaw II is an enlarged (22 cabins) newly built
version of the original Pandaw I and will be introduced
into service in October 2001. The colonial design favoured
by the first Irrawaddy Flotilla Company will be faithfully
reproduced to create the same atmosphere of the ever
popular Pandaw I.
Beach:
The Sandoway Resort in Ngapali Beach has opened a spa
in November 2000. The latest beach developments in Myanmar
are taking place in Ngwe Saung Beach where the first
international resort The Palm Beach Resort has soft
opened in early 2001. Ngwe Saung Beach is located approximately
270 km to the west of Yangon and is reached after a
7 to 8 hours car journey from Yangon over a partly very
bumpy and potholed road. A more relaxing access offers
an overnight boat trip (17 hours) from Yangon cruising
through the delta canals to the village of Thalakwa.
There is also a project to build an airstrip. Ngwe Saung
Beach is a seasonal destination from October to May
as during the rest of the year strong monsoon winds
and rain are part of every day life in this Myanmar
region.
Sightseeing:
Kat Ku, a major temple complex near Taunggyi (Inle Lake)
up to now off limits for tourists is now officially
open to foreign visitors. Hot Air Ballooning is an extraordinary
way to experience the temples and pagodas of Bagan from
November this year to March 2002.
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1. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL?
The
best time to visit Myanmar is from November to March
when temperatures are relatively low (average 15 – 30
degrees centigrade) and when there is practically no
rain. Note that in December and January the temperature
can drop to near freezing at night in the highlands
of the Kalaw, Pindaya, Taunggyi and Inle Lake area.
In April and May which is the hottest season temperature
often tops 40 degrees centigrade in Yangon, in Mandalay
as well as in Bagan it can get even hotter. The monsoon
starts between mid-May and mid-June bringing frequent
rains particularly in the southern as well as western
region of Myanmar which last until September.
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2. IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL? ARE THERE PLACES TO AVOID?
Myanmar
is a vast country and it is generally a very safe place
to travel. Myanmar’s insurgency problems near the Indian
and Thai borders are in areas that are off limit to
foreign visitors and they will not affect a traveler’s
journey through Myanmar in any way.
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3. WHAT ARE THE VISA REQUIREMENTS AND CUSTOM FORMALITIES?
At the present
time tourist visas are available from Myanmar embassies
for a duration of 28 days. Package tour travelers are
exempted from exchanging US$ 200.- into FECs. All items
of jewelry, cameras and foreign currency in excess of
US$ 2’000.- must be declared upon arrival on the currency
declaration forms. Export of Buddha images, gemstones
and antiques without an official receipt is prohibited.
It is not permitted to bring mobile phones into the
country, even if they are not connectable to international
networks such as GSM.
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4. DO'S AND DON'T'S?
Never
drink tap water – purified, bottled water is available
everywhere. Eat at established restaurants and avoid
peeled or cut fruit as well as ice cubes. It is wise
to guard against sunburn, dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Light clothing made from natural fibers is useful most
of the year around and a sweater or jacket is needed
when touring hill areas and the Inle Lake region from
November to February. When visiting pagodas and other
religious buildings great care must be taken to appear
modest in dress. Women should not wear shorts, bra-less
T-shirts or have bare shoulders when visiting such places.
Shoes and socks must always be removed at pagodas and
monasteries. Photography in airports, railway stations
and near any military installation is forbidden.
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5. WHAT MONEY SHOULD I TAKE?
US Dollars
in cash in small denominations. Credit cards are only
accepted by major hotels in Yangon and Mandalay. Eurocard
/Mastercard is not accepted anywhere in Myanmar. It
is possible to change US$ travelers checks at major
hotels and banks, but high commissions will be charged
and travelers will have to face long waiting hours at
bank counters. It is recommended to only change a small
amount of US Dollars into the local currency (Kyat)
as US Dollars are accepted throughout Myanmar.
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6. WHAT LANGUAGE WILL THEY UNDERSTAND?
The
official language is ‘Myanmar’ with numerous regional
languages and dialects. English is spoken at all major
hotels. In the Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake
area travelers will always find someone who will at
least understand a few words of English.
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7. HOW ABOUT MY HEALTH?
No
vaccinations are officially required for a visit to
Myanmar. Travelers should check with their doctor or
a travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability
of inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and
Japanese encephalitis as well as Malaria Prophylaxis.
Take along any prescription medication with sufficient
supplies. Myanmar hospitals are not considered to be
of international standard, however there are two private
medical emergency clinics in Yangon.
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8. WHAT FOOD WILL I FIND?
Myanmar
cuisine mainly consists of a staple diet of rice, noodles
and a side dish. These dishes vary from anything from
an Indian style curry with meat or fish to vegetables
and regional salads and soups. Chili is popular in Myanmar
and is often used in spicy dishes such as curries, however
the meal in itself is more often not as hot as the Thai
version. Myanmar can boast of a diverse range of cuisine
with Chinese, Thai and Indian restaurants sprinkled
around the major cities. Western food can be found in
a few French or Italian restaurants in Yangon as well
as at major international hotels in Yangon and Mandalay.
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9. HOW IS THE SHOPPING AND WHAT DO I TIP?
Shopping
is plentiful in most areas of Myanmar with colorful
markets and stalls adoring most streets. Most popular
buys include antiques, embroidery, gems, laquerware,
mother-of-pearl, hand-woven silk longyis, traditional
woodcarvings, customary puppets and tribal crafts. Jewelry
should be purchased through an authorized dealer who
will issue a receipt so that the items can be exported.
Bargaining is an elemental part of Myanmar life in small
shops and markets.
Major
hotels and restaurants usually add 10 % service charge
to bills. Where it is not included a tip of up to 10
% of the bill would be appropriate if the service is
satisfactory. Porters should be tipped at Kyat 100 per
bag.
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