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Travel Photo Report
So you did not really enjoy your trip?
No boat ride at Inle?
Yes, quite unlucky. Rain in Bagan, rain in Kalaw, so i did not go trekking, which is a pity.
Although we really enjoyed Bagan, Kalaw and Mt Zwegabin, all in all the trip was more disappointing than exciting. We decided to skip on the boat in Inle. I don't need to do what everybody else does to feel the country.
@Nomadical
No, we did not enjoy it that much. Despite everybody being so excited about Burma on forums we met quite a number of people who had similar negative experience as we did.
People were very nice and i enjoyed communicating with them, but I cannot say that it was that exceptional. We had similar experiences in Turkey, Iran and Thailand. Unfortunately there were more minuses than pluses during our trip.
Travel Photo Report
The Inle boat trip wasn't my favorite, however we hired a boat and guide to take us to the south end of the lake the following day and I enjoyed that more. It's a long ride there and back but the scenery was great and the markets were more interesting. No souvenir stalls.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
You could even go to the lake south of Inle but that does cost more money because you need a permit and guide.
Myanmar has changed even 2 years ago it had changed a lot from 2002.
i have heard the same about the lake from other people. So we decide to skip on boats. Besides we would not have gone there, hadn't we paid for a hotel in Nyaung Shwe.
Yes, Iran was amazing. People are extremely friendly. People smiled at us everywhere, shouted from cars "welcome to Iran". Stopped in the street saying "welcome to Iran or their city". We were invited in the street to people's flats to stay overnight. I hope there will be no war, it will be really pity if it will be 2nd Iraq.
@Herbie
Yeah, i guess we could. but it was also a matter of not spending extra money. by that time we had spent enough. and decided just to rest and have some wine instead. besides in my opinion both are overpriced - boat trips and wines.
Burma is changing fast, many thing not in good direction though.
@rinjani
Well I actually prefer to return to countries I like, not just tick off destinations ;-))
Travel Photo Report
In this sense Burma for me was quite bad. I heard from people who traveled with locals, that they had good food, but once they had to order themselves without help from locals, they usually got worse food. The same experience I had in China, in the North East. And surprisingly recently I had a bit of not very good experience with food in Georgia.
Travel Photo Report
Oh my goodness, are you kidding me - of course Americans are allowed to visit Iran. I remember last year in Iran my American friend attracting an unbelievable amount of (friendly) attention from the locals. They're all dying to know what you guys think of their country!
Iran is a top destination. People are so genuine there.
Thank you for the frank travel report. It's very useful!
I'm flying to Burma tomorrow for work and needed to check some last minute details and your report did the job perfectly.
U r welcome. happy it is helpful. I believe it is better for work at the moment, at least you will not be upset by having to pay for unreasonable prices accommodation. But impressions might be very different. I was going to Georgia several time on business and I was very excited about the country. Then we went their independently and i became quite disappointed with the country, food and people.
@Nomadical
We met an American who traveled interdependently in Iran. But he did not really answer my questions clearly. But it seemed he was alone, arranging cards through the hotel, and telling how he travels around, meets locals, has dinners with them. Maybe it is possible, but I don't know.
@Herbie
Yes, I would go to Iran now. It will definitely be cheaper. though may be a bit cold now. But if I had a choice at the moment to change the past, and choose between Burma, or going to Iran for 2nd time instead, I would choose Iran for sure.
Travel Photo Report
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Travel Report, Nov 2012
Detailed travel report of our trip between 5-26 November.Travel Photo Report
1
You were unlucky to get rain in Novemeber, esp Bagan.So you did not really enjoy your trip?
No boat ride at Inle?
2
It doesn't seem like you enjoyed your trip. You have some nice photos. I really enjoyed Myanmar. Even the dirty dusty parts, but maybe it's because the people of Myanmar made up for it.3
@HerbieYes, quite unlucky. Rain in Bagan, rain in Kalaw, so i did not go trekking, which is a pity.
Although we really enjoyed Bagan, Kalaw and Mt Zwegabin, all in all the trip was more disappointing than exciting. We decided to skip on the boat in Inle. I don't need to do what everybody else does to feel the country.
@Nomadical
No, we did not enjoy it that much. Despite everybody being so excited about Burma on forums we met quite a number of people who had similar negative experience as we did.
People were very nice and i enjoyed communicating with them, but I cannot say that it was that exceptional. We had similar experiences in Turkey, Iran and Thailand. Unfortunately there were more minuses than pluses during our trip.
Travel Photo Report
4
Your Iran pictures look fantastic, looks like a great place. I'm not sure if I'm even allowed to visit there being American. Maybe someday.The Inle boat trip wasn't my favorite, however we hired a boat and guide to take us to the south end of the lake the following day and I enjoyed that more. It's a long ride there and back but the scenery was great and the markets were more interesting. No souvenir stalls.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
5
Re boats on Inle, you don't have to do the tourist shop route you can go where ever you want, 5 day market, In Dein etc.You could even go to the lake south of Inle but that does cost more money because you need a permit and guide.
Myanmar has changed even 2 years ago it had changed a lot from 2002.
6
Well you have been to Burma ,another country ticked off . Great photographs7
@ Nomadicali have heard the same about the lake from other people. So we decide to skip on boats. Besides we would not have gone there, hadn't we paid for a hotel in Nyaung Shwe.
Yes, Iran was amazing. People are extremely friendly. People smiled at us everywhere, shouted from cars "welcome to Iran". Stopped in the street saying "welcome to Iran or their city". We were invited in the street to people's flats to stay overnight. I hope there will be no war, it will be really pity if it will be 2nd Iraq.
@Herbie
Yeah, i guess we could. but it was also a matter of not spending extra money. by that time we had spent enough. and decided just to rest and have some wine instead. besides in my opinion both are overpriced - boat trips and wines.
Burma is changing fast, many thing not in good direction though.
@rinjani
Well I actually prefer to return to countries I like, not just tick off destinations ;-))
Travel Photo Report
8
Besides one of the most essential things for me during travels is food. Good food can compensate for lack of great sights.In this sense Burma for me was quite bad. I heard from people who traveled with locals, that they had good food, but once they had to order themselves without help from locals, they usually got worse food. The same experience I had in China, in the North East. And surprisingly recently I had a bit of not very good experience with food in Georgia.
Travel Photo Report
9
I think the boat trip is fair price, we paid 13,000kip for the boat that was for 3 persons, would be same for 5 or 1 person, did go to In Dein, left about 8.30 and got back about 6.20 so it was a good day out, so all day trip for about $5. Yes agree about wine why pay $10 for something that is prob. fairly average, I tried asian wine before. Yes I enjoyed cycling around the area, at least the road east of the lake is in good condition, that has improved no end, first time we got a boat back from the market with the locals that was good fun.10
@NomadicalOh my goodness, are you kidding me - of course Americans are allowed to visit Iran. I remember last year in Iran my American friend attracting an unbelievable amount of (friendly) attention from the locals. They're all dying to know what you guys think of their country!
Iran is a top destination. People are so genuine there.
11
@MangupThank you for the frank travel report. It's very useful!
I'm flying to Burma tomorrow for work and needed to check some last minute details and your report did the job perfectly.
12
tonyyoo21, I know that I can go to Iran in a group tour, but not as an independent traveler which is how I'd prefer to see the country. That is what I meant by not sure I'm allowed to go. I'm pretty sure it has to be arranged through a travel agency. Maybe it's like that for non-Americans also, I've never investigated it enough. Anyhow, not trying to stray off the Myanmar topic. Iran will be for another time. I'm sure the people are fantastic as your friend experienced. :-)14
@tonyyoo21U r welcome. happy it is helpful. I believe it is better for work at the moment, at least you will not be upset by having to pay for unreasonable prices accommodation. But impressions might be very different. I was going to Georgia several time on business and I was very excited about the country. Then we went their independently and i became quite disappointed with the country, food and people.
@Nomadical
We met an American who traveled interdependently in Iran. But he did not really answer my questions clearly. But it seemed he was alone, arranging cards through the hotel, and telling how he travels around, meets locals, has dinners with them. Maybe it is possible, but I don't know.
@Herbie
Yes, I would go to Iran now. It will definitely be cheaper. though may be a bit cold now. But if I had a choice at the moment to change the past, and choose between Burma, or going to Iran for 2nd time instead, I would choose Iran for sure.
Travel Photo Report
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