Myanmar is a dream come true travel destination, there is such an abundance of colour, exotic places and interesting attractions. Not many persons have heard about Myanmar, some only know it as Burma, the old name, and most people have the same reaction when they hear something like this from northern Thailand’s neighbors: “Myanmar, is this a country?”
It is also fascinating, impressive and strikes you as a very cold shower since you take the first step in the airport. Even though I seriously documented myself before going out this summer, nothing prepared me for the reality that you will find there. Whether you want to get there in the very near future, or want to enrich your general culture a little, you should know a few things about Myanmar.
Since 2005, the administrative center has been relocated from Yangon, which remains one of the largest and busiest cities, also having the main airport in the country, in Nypiydaw. Myanmar is a huge country, almost three times larger than Romania and the second largest country in Southeast Asia. As such, the distances between the most important sights are very large, so it’s great to use the plane or at least the local buses. Although we found the tourist areas very safe, with friendly people and very eager to receive strangers, there are still regions where tourist access is forbidden – an example would be the Kachin region, in the north of the country – and even hundreds of areas tribes live the way they did 200 years ago.
Speaking of which, we have been told in Myanmar so many times that we are beautiful that we got a bit up. Not being accustomed to such goodwill, I initially thought that there should be an interest in the middle, that they were far too friendly, but it was not. They seem to like tourists, feel good about them and are very curious and sincere. Only in Bagan did I meet traders who were a little more insistent, but not as far away as the Balinese, the Turks or the Moroccans. At the first refusal, any attempt would end, which, we tell you from experience, does not happen much in other parts. And, as a very valuable tip, remember “Mingalarbar”. It is the greeting of the locals, it means a good day and you will surely impress them, especially if you come through the rural areas. See more info at https://globalhawkmyanmar.com/.
The bottom line is simple: there are two completely different styles of travel, and prices are tailor-made. Returning, however, to our experience, a room at a decent hotel (repeat, not luxurious) starts at $ 30-40 / night, domestic flights are about $ 70-100 / person, compared to the $ 7- you get on the bus, the balloon flight in Bagan starts from $ 300 / person. The food also cost us a lot – about $ 5-7 / person for a dinner – and the trips were not too cheap. Comparing, therefore, with Thailand or Bali (both destinations where we have spent quite a long time), Myanmar ranks among the most expensive destinations, despite much worse tourism infrastructure.
In the morning, the barges are filled with people drinking their milk tea and eating breakfast on the run before going to work. I recommend you try this experience as long as it holds your stomach. The official currency is the Kyat. For one dollar you get 960 – 1000 Kyats. Myanmar beer is very good. Try the black one too. In Myanmar there are 3 seasons: the warm (March-May), the rainy (May-October) in the south and the delta area and the cold (October-February). In the center of the country, through Bagan and Myanmar, it does not rain, the terrain becomes dry and the locals pray for rain. It only rained for me in August for very little time for half an hour, although I would have wished more. See additional details at https://globalhawkmyanmar.com/en/about-myanmar/best-of-myanmar-travel-places-to-visit/.