Well have just returned home after travelling around Myanmar and a few other countries over that way.
If anyone is after some tips or advice on travelling to and around Myanmar, i'm more than happy to answer your questions to the best of my ability.
Just Returned from Travelling to Myanmar
myusername on 22/04/2018 - 09:39
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after question some of the locals about that in different areas of the country everyone said the same thing. they all said that western governments had paid some of the military to go out and commit these heinous crimes.
Was there any rationale provided for that claim?
Apart from living there you mean?
@EightImmortals: i really dont want to go into a religous discussion on this platform sorry.
i will say this however, i've never met so many people that were 'woke' and understood the ways of the world in regards to propaganda.
i went to the country with very low expectations of being able to communicate with anyone apart from google translate.
i was blown away at the university level of English people spoke, from taxi drivers to random people selling coconuts in the fields.Apart from living there you mean?
No, I was asking what the locals believed to be the rationale for "western governments" to commit the acts which they claimed.
Locals are subject to their own government's propaganda, and hearsay without any facts doesn't have much credibility.
i will say this however, i've never met so many people that were 'woke' and understood the ways of the world in regards to propaganda.
What makes you say that?
i was blown away at the university level of English people spoke, from taxi drivers to random people selling coconuts in the fields.
So do Burmese taxi drivers and coconut sellers typically attend university, or do they attain their English proficiency by other means?
The OP's assertions don't stand up to a basic level of scrutiny, so it's easier for them to shut it down than to rationalise answers.
Then when the topic appears on the front page, the sheeple come along and follow the lead.
As somebody that has spent quite a bit of time in Myanmar (both traveling and working) this is far from my experience.
English is not commonly spoken and xenophobia and misinformation seems to often drive public opinion on the events in Rakhine.
This includes conspiracy theories about the UN, western governments and the middle east in an effort to morally justify the actions of the military.
Convenient.
To what end? Which Western government? There are many.
@myusername: If i say not western governments but mayanmar government paid you to advertise here in ozbargain will you accept it.
of course not.
i did expect this sort of attitude from people here, and i was honestly reluctant to post my experiences about such a 'hot topic'
that is why i haven't bothered to answer everyone's questions
"dont feed the trollS"
You mean like the Brits and Aussies did?
NOT IN THE 21ST EFFING CENTURY!
Yeah, we don't exactly have a great human rights record in this century though…
@smuggler: Indefinite immigration detention, enforced turnbacks of asylum seekers, forced closure of indigenous communities - Australia has done all of these things in the last 12 month period. I don't know what you're smoking to insist our record is 'good' but I want some!
Edit: not feeding the troll
Dude. I'm not trolling.
I genuinely believe that refugees shouldn't' come to this country and that Aboriginals should stop complaining even when they receive so many handouts.WHen you call a conservative a troll, it just makes our resolve stronger. ;)
@smuggler: I called you a troll because you brought your opinion in to override rights enshrined in treaties that Australia is signatory to. You can't pick and choose what is a human rights violation based on whether you like or dislike the outcome. You either are or aren't doing it, there is no caveat in any treaty that says 'if you think they deserve it' then it is not a violation.
I called you a troll because you brought your opinion in to override rights enshrined in treaties that Australia is signatory to
My opinion is all that matters to me.
Those treaties can go down the shitter. The same with all the communists in this country.
I don't care what a bunch of globalist pigs signed 30-50 years ago when we weren't overrun with immigrants, didn't have ridiculous house prices and had clogged up cities.
I just returned home from the gym, if anyone is after some tips or advice, I'm your man.
Hey I just returned from the shops, anyone want some tips…
SAvage!
We don't tip in Australia mate..
Any sign of "mynameisbruce"?
OB member not heard from since going over there.
haha honestly in some parts i didnt see any foreigners at all.
some places i visited i would have the police come up and ask me if i was ok, then ask me if i was lost. when i asked them why they told me they'd never seen any foreigners around here ever.
Myanmar??
Burma.
Rangoon?
Naypyidaw.
It's Grafton to me
Rambo 4
it will always be burma to me
Which places were the highlights of your trip?
bagan was absolutely incredible spent the bulk of the time on an ebike exploring the little cattle tracks searching for pagodas
That's all? Inle? Mandalay? Ngapali?
yeah went to Mandalay, it's really just another big city found it better exploring Sagaing and catching the boat up to Min Kun
How was it?
I've heard that the gem trade is good.
Did you bring back some bargains?
nah i'm always sketchy on buying jewelry, gems and stuff whilst OS
The best rubies in the world are from Burma.
I actually saw a child playing with a ruby the size of a tangerine.
How long were you there for? Also what was one or some of your favourite places that most people might not know about?
Min Kun seeing the Mingun Pahtodawgyi left me speechless at the size of the building and especially after being told it's only 1/3 of its intended size.
Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda out in the city of Sagaing, a set of temples strewn across many hilltops.
the jade pagoda just out of mandalay was pretty cool, cops and security there kept asking me if i was lost cause no foreigners come there haha
The bugs on the Yangon footpaths are HUGE.
the gaps in the footpath in yangon are huge slipped down one and opened my shin up on the first day. luckily a local was walking towards me at the time and grabbed me to stop me from falling into the sewerage running underneath. he walked me across the street to a chemist, spoke to the doctor there who cleaned my leg up, gave me some swabs and betadine and sent me on my way. free of charge, i did however go back to my hotel and started taking some antibiotics just to be sure my leg didnt fall off from infection. 6 weeks later shin is healed up and good as new
why did you go there in the first place?
to check out Bagan and the surrounding areas
nah no sexpat here sorry
How long did you spend in Myanmar?
What other countries did you visit?
How cheap was Myanmar for food/accommodation?only 10 days in Myanmar, looking back i really wish i spent more, then went to siem reap, hong kong, up to shenzen and Guangzhou, then over to japan for 12 days.
food is cheap AF, beers some places 50cents-$1.
accommodation 30-40bucks per night and you live like a king.Wow looks like a good trip.
Ankor and Bagan….. you must be templed-out.
yeah by the end of it, it was like oh look another temple.
Koh Ker was the reason for visiting Cambodia
Hey.
Did you go to Mt Popa ? If not, why not?
Did you take the boat from Mandalay to Bagan? (Or vice-versa), if not, why not?
Did you attempt a land crossing into Myanmar? And if so where?
Did you go to Inle lake? If so, was it a complete let down?
Do you PERSONALLY think it is crazy that motorbikes are banned from Yangon?
Thanks.
The English name for Mt Popa is "Donation Mountain". But the ascent must have the cleanest steps of any mountain in the world.
Mt Popa is awesome, it's not that expensive to go from Bagan, but really beautiful. We didn't get hit up for donations anywhere either, so not sure what other's are complaining about. Would recommend.
We looked at the boat, but it was a lot more expensive, and takes a whole day as opposed to something like 6 or 7 hours. So we ended up going the night bus option.
Inle lake isn't a let down at all. It's not the most beautiful place in the world, but worth visiting. Just don't have a bicycle accident and break your elbow like me haha.
Yeah, the motorbike ban is mental.
didnt go to mount popa, found it a bit too touristy, however part of me wishes i did now.
Boat from Bagan to Mandalay was so worth it. when you factor in the time you waste at airports this is the perfect option to see what the countryside has to offer.
no land crossing flew in and out of the country.
Inle Lake passed on that one heard too many stories about scams over there, even the locals said dont waste your time.
I asked about why no bikes in Yangon and one of the locals told me when the uprising was going on years ago one of the big generals was stuck in traffic, a local student leader pulled up beside his car and mad a gun shape with his hand. and apparently thats why they banned motorbikes and scooters in Yangon. there is enough scooters in mandalay to make up for that though haha
Mmmmm….
If you ever go to Luang Prabang make sure you go to Kuang Si falls even though you might think it is touristy.
One highlight from my many travels.
Did you get to all 3 jar sites at phonsavan?
Laos is on the list for next year for sure
Just don't bother trying to access the hidden pool everyone talks about which is above the main waterfall. My girlfriend and I went in February, bypassed 3 barbed wire fences only to be met with a final, unpassable barbed wire fence and a man sitting in front of it guarding it haha!
What is the healthcare system like ??
no idea honestly
The girl who twisted her foot on our tour in Kalaw had to go to hospital…in Singapore. It was like literally fully twisted though. Of course there were closer, reputable hospitals…in Bangkok, but that's where she was sent (by her insurance company I believe).
I broke my elbow in Inle Lake in Myanmar. There was one clinic, and no x-ray machine; for that, I had to go to Yangon. It's a very very poor country, and the healthcare is about what you would expect.
Did you meet any of those minorities that have been fleeing the country lately?
Did you get ripped off?
yeah 10US was wandering around the Shwedagon Pagoda on the first day and kept getting locals coming up wanting to be my "guide" kept giving the "no hablo inglés" response to them which left them confused, and no i'm not spanish. there was an older man who was a little more persistent, i think he knew i wasnt spanish. ended up walking away rather quickly. however i went back the next night to get some pics as the place looks amazing lit up at night, i'd had a few beers and bumped into the old guy again, and i started talking english. he showed me a couple of spots there i hadnt noticed beofre and where to stand to get a few nice pics. and yeah nothing is free in this world, he hit me up for 20us, pulled a 10 out and said take it or leave it. he wasnt happy, but then neither was i
How did you plan your journey? Prebooked tour? Tours once inside? Just winged it? Etc :)
pretty much just winged it. no tours just a solo traveller
Any regrets about this? Or noted inefficiencies?
Me and my friend are wanting to visit over Xmas/New Year, and have been looking at tours just for ease. Reading your posts makes me think it might be okay to wing it though… 2 females, slightly lazy, 10 days - any thoughts on that? I found a group tour that is about $290 AUD per person (8 days), which appeals to me more than a private tour - at least we get to chat to some other people over the week!
Did you travel solo?
What you recommend for someone wanting to travel solo around east Asia for the first time?
Just do it man! Stay in hostels, you'll never be lonely! It's a wonderful way to travel, I actually prefer it over travelling with a friend
And to add to that, Myanmar is one of the safer countries (very Buddhist and relatively new to tourism) so it's a good place to start as a solo traveler!
Thanks Guys
I Appreciate your answers. I will see how much I can save but im keen for a challenge.
just do it.
travelling by yourself puts you out of your comfort zone.
for me i dont like people in general, i'm an introvert. however travelling forces me to interact with people, so it helps me become a bit more open.
just keep your street smarts and you'll be right
Was food good and really cheap?
Food is good, not the best in SE Asia, but good. I highly recommend the salads, they're bloody fantastic. A meal can be had for around 1 AUD in the local places.
curries there were amazing, and the tea leaf salad was pretty nice also.
ate alot of random street food that was pretty interesting
What’s the best way to get to Mandalay? Bus or plane? Over there is it similar to Yangon? Like, in terms of traffic and modernisation.
Any places to eat/drink/visit/etc aside from the obvious ones in Yangon?
Did you visit this month? (ie during the new year/water festival) if so how hot was it?
Thanks.
Not OP, but was there a month and a bit ago. Mandalay is much smaller and less hectic than Yangon, but I really loved it. Getting there we took a night bus from Bagan. The night buses are really good, I recommend them, but of course if you've got cash to burn you can fly.
When you got your chicken dinner and left Miramar did you notice another plane flying across the sky ?. Also which weapon did you use to get the final kill and was it squads or solo ?
Did you go to any beach side resorts? If so, what were they like?
Ive got a rash
from burma?
You most likely know it as Myanmar, but it will always be Burma to me
You there, on the motorbike, sell me one of your melons!<3
would the locals prefer a lamb, chicken or mixed kebab?
Did you go to Hpa An? One of my highlights when I visited 3 years ago. Small little town with beautiful mountains, lakes and pagodas. Best thing was that it was just a small town with few tourists back then — wonder how much it has changed now…
Why no advice on the other countries you've been?
i thought i'd offer some of my experiences for Myanmar as most people i've spoken to don't even know where it is or what it has to offer.
Does the place generally smack of gross human rights violations or is is isolated to the Rakhine state only?
We wanted to go there, but due to the 'war / crisis' decided not to.
Did you feel unsafe, and would you recommend going there?
What area / region would you return to?
never felt unsafe at all in any part, and that includes wandering around the streets late at night
I'd definitely return to Bagan no questions asked
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Does the average person care that their military has comitted genocide?