Countdown to Myanmar - ideas needed please!

[PPeter]

I just came back from Myanmar a few days ago. What a beautiful country!
The people are what amazed me the most, they are all so friendly and helpful. The best of all, most of them speak English (which I didn't really expect..).
For 16 days $300 was enough for all basic necessities (food, acco and transport), but I hav to say we did everything very low-budget. We did Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay, but looking back, we could have done more sites. But that gives me a good reason to come back! I was not so impressed with Burmese food, I prefer Thai food anyday (better quality and better taste).
Bagan was the most pleasant, just rent a bike there and go exploring! The Lonely Planet said we had to pay $10 for the Bagan sites, but nobody ever approached us to pay for it, so I guess we were lucky.
Oh and bring a warm sweater&blanket for in the overnight busses cuz the become extremely cold!!

[Betti]

thank you so much for the report! please post some of your favourite photos, if you have the time.
I really appreciate the budget estimate! I am still clueless on how much to take. obviously, we need some backup as well in case something unexpected happens. would be nasty to get stuck there without enough cash in an emergency.
do you have any budget accommodation recommendations? I do have the Lonely Planet but it is always nice to get a more personal insight.
where did you stay in Bagan? I still cannot decide which of the 3 villages is the best option.
what was your favourite in/around Mandalay?
we will be staying 11 days only and instead of taking arduous bus rides on horrible roads, we voted for flying on ancient, badly maintained planes. we'll see if the strategy works out and we stay alive. I would take buses if I had more time.... but I don't.
my mother refuses to try to learn how to ride a bicycle though I guess it is very easy for an adult. so, horse-cart for us. I am not very enthusiastic about pedalling in the heat anyway. getting old and lazy!!
we are waiting for our visas to come through about 10 days from now, I am still on the edge, trying to read up etc.

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

The best of all, most of them speak English (which I didn't really expect..).

That isn't really too surprising as, along with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Singapore, it was formerly part of British India until 1937 when it became directly governed by the British Crown until its independence in 1948.

David

[PPeter]

That isn't really too surprising as, along with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Singapore, it was formerly part of British India until 1937 when it became directly governed by the British Crown until its independence in 1948.

David

Very true!

But with my experiences in Thailand (which is a highly developed country in comparison to Myanmar) I was quite shocked that so many people spoke English (grammar and pronunciation-wise). Maybe it is just my own ignorance
I asked our guide about it and he said although the British had some influence in the past it was the school system after the English had left that really incorporated proper English classes.

[PPeter]

thank you so much for the report! please post some of your favourite photos, if you have the time.
I really appreciate the budget estimate! I am still clueless on how much to take. obviously, we need some backup as well in case something unexpected happens. would be nasty to get stuck there without enough cash in an emergency.
do you have any budget accommodation recommendations? I do have the Lonely Planet but it is always nice to get a more personal insight.
where did you stay in Bagan? I still cannot decide which of the 3 villages is the best option.
what was your favourite in/around Mandalay?
we will be staying 11 days only and instead of taking arduous bus rides on horrible roads, we voted for flying on ancient, badly maintained planes. we'll see if the strategy works out and we stay alive. I would take buses if I had more time.... but I don't.
my mother refuses to try to learn how to ride a bicycle though I guess it is very easy for an adult. so, horse-cart for us. I am not very enthusiastic about pedalling in the heat anyway. getting old and lazy!!
we are waiting for our visas to come through about 10 days from now, I am still on the edge, trying to read up etc.

You can find some of my photos on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id...556&aid=393209 (I hope it works).

In total I brought about $430 and I brought back about a $100. I spend about $50 on tailoring so all added up I spend about $300. I still had some euro's lying around as well so I also brought them as a backup. It can be quite costly to get money there from your credit card, so I wouldn't advise on doing that.

I think Nyaung U would be your best bet for staying at Bagan. It has the most GH's/hotels and restaurants/shops. We stayed at Winner guest house (its in the LP), a very basic but nice GH. It has shared toilets/showers and very friendly staff. We paid $6 for a twin (it included breakfast!).
In Yangon we stayed at Motherland Inn 2 which was recommendated by LP. The place is packed every night so you'll have to make reservations if you want to stay there. Staff there is also really friendly and really helpful, I would definitely stay there again ($10 for a twin with outside shower/toilet, $13 with private shower/toilet, $15 for an aircon room).
In Mandalay we stayed at Nylon guest house. Its clean and the breakfast is quite good. But I found the staff least friendly of all places I stayed at.

Riding a bike around Bagan is not that difficult on the paved roads, but the dirt roads require some stamina and bike handling skills.

Let me know if you have some other questions!

[Betti]

thanks for the link to the photos - I can see them.
I am too tired now to ask anything but I'm sure I will have questions

[fileeep]

You can find some of my photos on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id...556&aid=393209 (I hope it works).

yes it works PPeter, and nice photos, thank for sharing.

[Khun Don]

You can find some of my photos on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id...556&aid=393209 (I hope it works).

yes it works PPeter,

But only if you are a facebook member or are willing to become one, it should be said.

[Betti]

But only if you are a facebook member or are willing to become one, it should be said.

I thought that goes without saying. but not all facebook members make their pics available for everyone - Peter did. as for my pics, only my friends can see them, different settings.

[Betti]

I am wondering if the exchange booths are open on April 6th, which is a holiday in Thailand? the three of us will need a major stash of cash, with all the flights and visas only paid in Yangon, and I am very uncomfortable with the idea of spending 2 days in Bangkok with a couple of thousand dollars.
I am very lost with the calculations, to be honest.

we are still not sure whether to spend 2 and a half days in Mandalay and 2 and a half in Bagan (over new year), or 1 and a half in Mandalay and 3 and a half in Bagan. I am sure we will love the ruins in Bagan because we enjoyed Angkor as well. everyone I have talked to says that Mandalay is disappointing, and it can be "done" in 2 days for sure.
any ideas on this please?