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.
1. We are doing a self-guided cycle tour of Burma beginning Dec 10 - which we booked and paid for in May. Do the recent demonstrations and attendant military crackdown pose a threat?
2. Please could you explain Burmese names. For example, is the surname printed first? What does the U mean? How do we address people?
3. Please let us have your opinion on which is preferred: Burma or Myanmar, and why.
4. We need additional information on road 411 that heads east off 1 after Kyaukse and hits the 41 south of Pindaya. We would like to know how long the road is, and whether or not there is any accommodation on it. If you don't have this kind of info, perhaps you could point us in the direction of someone who might.
5. Also, we understand there is no accommodation in Kyaukse, but this would make an ideal overnight for us. Any suggestions?
6. We have a 30-day flight schedule and a 28-day visa. I understand it is possible to pay a late-stay fee at the airport when leaving rather than getting an extension. Is this so?
Thanks - we look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Gail
Answer Hi, Gail!
1. Possibly. No one knows or can predict the future. I don't expect the current clamp down to hold things in check as there are many people who can't afford to eat these days. The good news is tourists are handled very carefully and if there's any ruckus, you'll just be kept away from it.
2. U just means the equivalent of Mr. if a man is more than 35 years old. Daw is the female equivalent. No, there are no surnames in Burmese and it's quite unusually for a daughter or son to have a name that resembles their parents at all (Aung Sang Sui Kyi is an exception, as the daughter of Bogoke Aung Sang). Names are more symbolic of stages in life (and the day of the week you are born) and can change. See something like the Lonely Planet's guidebook to Myanmar if you'd like a full explanation.
3. Most Burmese call it Myanmar since "Burma" is actually a British misnomer that assumed the majority of Burmese are Birman (eschewing the Pyu, Mon, all tribals etc.). So while Myanmar is more accurate, some go back to saying Burma just because the military junta altered the name. (Though no one uses the old British street names that were also changed to Burmese by the junta.)
4. Don't know and mystified that you have a road number. In any case, there are places to stay around Pindaya certainly. Once again LP will tell you where to stay even in the smallest of towns.
5. Kyaukse is only 30 miles from Mandalay. Why the focus on staying there? (Though I know, cycling, 30 miles is not a pittance.) There are plenty of places on the outskirts of Mandalay. Or stay in my favorite spot around there and make your overnight part of the fun of the trip -- in Sagaing.
6. I wouldn't bet on the late fee at the airport (and you'll have to pay more). If you'll be in Yangon for a few days at the front end, just get it then, or get a travel agent to get it for you.
I'll be curious to know how your cycling goes. In non-touristed areas (even ones that are not off limits) the local authorities often don't like taking responsibility for foreigners and it's easy to get refused access or kicked out. So I wish you the best of luck! And if you get stuck without lodging in between spots, it's almost always possible to stay at monasteries (though these days, that could be an issue).
Have fun!
Nancy B
