Myanmar is a fabulous travel point, there is such an abundance of color, exotic places and interesting attractions. Few people know 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 even a country?”
It is also fascinating, shocking and hits you as a very cold shower since you make the first step in the airport. Even though I seriously documented myself before heading out this summer, nothing prepared me for the reality that you will discover 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.
No trip to Asia is left without a premiere, so our last adventure this winter was no exception. What is more, the premiere was, in fact, the fulfillment of an older dream, for which we had a long wait, to visit what seemed to us one of the most attractive destinations in Asia, Myanmar. It’s been a few months since then, and we tell you with all our heart that all our efforts have been rewarded with peak and thick. And this despite the fact that it is a very large country, with a tumultuous history that has put the locals hard to prove and, of course, with a rather poorly developed tourism infrastructure. However, if you have a bump in your mind and you need a push to embark on such an adventure, we can only say so: if you do your homework in advance, your holiday will be honored.
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. Find more info on Best of Burma.
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.
Almost everyone wears slippers, regardless of social status, clothing, time of day. Slips with shirt, slips at the market, slips at the hotel, slips at the restaurant, slips on the boat. In the end I bought myself a pair. The children are very curious and eager to interact with strangers. In the center of Mandalay there is a forbidden city, 8 square kilometers surrounded by huge walls, water and another fence, guarded by weapons, in which the army lives. Locals living outside the walls do not think much about it. Discover more info on Myanmar trekking tours.