AboutNancy B Expertise One of my all-time favorites. I`ve been there more than 10 times (for at least a month each time), done the tourist loop five times and travelled to several permit-only areas. Aside from the Yangon, Bago, Inle, Kalaw, Mandalay, Pagan, Pyay route, I`ve travelled twice to Sittwe, Mrauk-U and the Chin areas and then down to Ramree Island, Ngapali and Pathein. Been on the wonderful boat from Bhamo to Mandalay and sojourned in the south a bit past Moulmein. Most recently I trekked in the northern Kachin state, camped and stayed with the Rawang tribe, for 2 weeks on the way to Phonekan Razi to see the Himalayas from the east. I`ve taken nearly every mode of transport--trains, planes, buses, boats, bikes, oxcarts, trekking on foot. I can answer logistical questions about airfare, hotels, restaurants, trekking, trains, restricted/open areas and, especially, cultural/religious sites and their significance.
Experience The world is a fascinating place and nothing reveals this more thoroughly than exploring faraway lands. I've got a penchant for the exotic, a friendly face and a true curiousity about the people, art and life.
Question QUESTION: Hi Nancy B!
I will be entering Mandalay, Myanmar, soon for travel for about 23 days, hoping to get to Mytkyina, Bhamo, Lashio, Inle Lake, Kalaw, and Yangon. I hope to buy plane tickets to fly to Mytkyina and then find my way around to these other areas and then take the train from Mandalay to Yangon. I have Lonely Planet guide for assistance. Based on this trip with my wife, does this trip seem reasonable based on the recent cyclone problem?
thanks!
VP
ANSWER: Hi, Vin!
Probably not going to happen like you planned. The area around Mytkyina is off limits a certain distance from the city. Same goes for the area around Bhamo (though you can take the wonderful boat downriver to Mandalay). The stroll from Inle to Kalaw is(three days and) great. Also, the only plane that flies to Mytkyina is Myanmar Airways, though you can usually get that last minute by going to the office because you're bumping regular citizens (because you pay about 10 times more than locals.) The only area that should be affected by the cyclone is Yangon . . . but at least, bring clothes, and buy food for street kids or make contributions at the monasteries/schools that are housing cyclone victims.
Have fun!
Nancy B
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QUESTION: Ok! I will be ready to accommodate to the local needs. Is it possible to travel to Tamu, which is north west of the country? Is it safe to do video-taping anywhere on the city streets with a pro-sumer camera? Will I be asked to stop videotaping? Will I be asked to turn over the tapes? Thanks!
Answer Hi, Vin,
Tamu . . . probably not, but permitted areas can change. (Even when we went to the "open" area south of Sittwe . . .Khaukpyu Island . . . we got kicked out when we tried to travel around). Video taping is a cause for suspicion . . . depends on where you are and how lucky! Generally, in and out at the airport is a problem too.
Good luck!
Nancy B
