Travelling during Thingyan
Hi there,We will be in Myanmar during Thingyan (Water Festival) this year. I have read some reports that it can be difficult to travel around at this time or to find somewhere to stay. Given that there are many posts about scarcity of rooms anyway does anyone have any further info on how much of a problem this is likely to be? We will be towards the end of our trip I think so most likely to be either around Inle or perhaps at Ngwe Saung beach. We will be travelling by bus and staying in the lowest budget places.
Cheers
1
Transportation will be difficult . Room available,too. Because all company in Myanmar rest at that time so that people go back home and some people make trip . That's why Transportation and room available will be the problem at that time. Inle is not very difficult but Ngwe Saung will be difficult in room available .For the bus tickets to Ngwe Saung , should buy in advance . Because most of Myanmar people pass the year at beaches .2
During water festival, throughout Myanmar, it is all a problem. Many restaurants are closed, as many travel agents, many hotels are full ... etc. .... etc. ...The Burmese people feel a lot this event and prepares to live it very intensely.
So you must be aware that from morning to night, if you go around, you will be constantly wetted.
That said, the advice I can give you is this: The water festival is a significant event (in the West there is something like that) so try to see it, perhaps by organizing the arrival in Myanmar, the last day of the party, I would avoid go when the party is starting (note that the festival lasts ten days).
Have a nice trip
4
the holiday period lasts 10 days but the actual drenchings dont last quite that long.As above...many Burmese travel at that period so getting transportation can be difficult and you will ned to book ahead as much as possible (also for rooms)...if you go by bus (or train) be careful with having the window open...!!!
Also...with the humidity at that time of year you will welcome the drenchings...just take plastic bags to keep camera/etc in...
5
Expensive hotels, cheap hotels ... Myanmar is seriously full of tourists this season .. BOOK AHEAD.And the main difficulty in the water festival- people throw water on you. There are no excuses.
"My backpack is not waterproof"
"Hey, I'm carrying my laptop and my camera"
"But this is Armani suit"
SPLOSH!
8
Sorry if I jump into this thread, but I will be travelling in Myanmar around this time, too. When exactly does the festival start and on which dates will I have to expect restaurants closed and transport & hotels fully booked?Thank you for your advice!
9
sounds like travelling there is a lot more hassle these days, now on our way up from Malaysia many people told us they needed to book ahead etc. Thinking about just winging it and seeing how far we get, will report back on how we get on.
