Hello,
we are planning to leave for Burma in two weeks (Oct 17) and plan to stay there for three weeks, but still can't decide whether to go or not. I know this question has been asked a few times in the last week, and I am following those threads, but things seem to change quickly.
The airline company agreed to change our flight to Ho Chin Minh City, but since in that case we have to arrange for visa, we have to make a decision this week. I know the situation is far from normal at the moment, but I just had some practical question, so that we can make an informed decision.
- How is the situation in Mandalay at the moment? We had only planned one day in Mandalay itself, but we are coming as backpackers, so we can change are plans easily
- How is the situation in cities surrounding Mandalay, because we did have several days planned in Sagaing, Mingun, Amarpurna,..
- Are tourists allowed to bring cameras in the country? (Just to use for normal holiday pictures ofcourse!)
I know these questions sound a bit selfish for those who have family or friends in the country, and for those who were there last week, and I hope they are all ok.
greetz
An
hey an
i'm in the same situation. at the moment it seem that i'll arrive myanmar (although my flight with airasia has cancelled), anyway i'm arranging visa to vietnam. just in case. so i lose some 40$, but better be on the safe side.
have a great time anywhere, anytime
udi
I am planning to go there on 8 November. My Myanmar friends here in Australia tell me it should be quite safe as long as we keep well away from any demonstrations, rallies, street marches, etc. A camera should not be a problem as long as you use discretion and not photograph anything that might be regarded as compromising, like the aftermath of a rally.
It seems that for now the brutality of the government agents has cowered the people into submission, but, as you say, things can change. I plan to go unless things change dramatically.
If this is your first visit you will have a wonderful time among some of the world's nicest people.
Ken in Australia.
My flight is November 17th. I sure hope to go then, to attend the Taunggyi Balloon Festival, but may put the trip off till March, if that is even possible. (But I bet it is.)
One issue that has not been addressed so far, in all this wrangling about whether/when to go to Myanmar these days, is that fact that people there who rely in tourism for their living need tourists to return. I was in Bali four months after the first Bali bombing, and the few tourists who were there were certainly appreciated by the locals. The Bali Travel Forum was full of people encouraging unsure people, as I was at the time, to go to to Bali and help get the tourism industry jump started. I was glad I went, even tho there was a dark cloud of sadness hanging over the island. My S E Asian trip this year includes a month in Bali again. It will be interesting to see the how things are five years and another bombing later.
Please, all you people traveling to Myanmar in the next few weeks, soon after you leave Myanmar, could you post nice detailed reports to this forum to let us know how your visa, flight, camera, and other travel issues are handled these days?
An update from yesterday. Do not under any circumstances be seen with a camera or mobile/cell/hand phone in Yangon or Mandalay. At the very least you will lose it. If you have one, keep it well hidden in your luggage. Outside those cities, ask a local person about the situation before being seen with a camera or attempting to take any photos.
BurnerMaxwell, whatever people say about whether we should or should not go, the people there love to have us visit their country and to interact with us, and what we spend there does help people, even if only to ride in a trishaw. A dollar from us means a great deal to the trishaw driver who struggles to survive. Life will be harder for people who depend on us if we stop going.
Ken in Australia.
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