| lisapeace17:59 UTC03 Aug 2004 | I have finally put in for five weeks holidays from Dec to Jan, and am considering a family holiday in Northern Thailand and then southern Myanmar.
My children will be 14yrs, 8yrs and 2.5yrs.
So far I have considered flying into Bangkok, domestic flight to Chiang Rai, train back to Bangkok, flight to Yangon and then find our way somehow down the coast. However I'd also like to take in Mandalay.
Has anyone had experience travelling to Myanmar with children? Would you recommend this? Any furtehr considerations?
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| philipc07:17 UTC04 Aug 2004 | Don't start in Yangon, go up to Mandalay, then back south again - start off in Mandalay! And what about Bagan? Can't miss Bagan.
My experience of children travelling is they don't know or care where they are - only the 14 yr old is likely to appreciate that 'overseas' involves leaving home. The littlies will be happy so long as there's a sandbox - otherwise, watch out! (At 8 and 2, on'es appreciation of the finer points of temple architecture is limited). In other words, keeping the kids amused will be a major task - this will be true even of the 14 yr old up to a point. Take books, toys, colouring-in stuff, whatever you can think of.
On the up side, the Burmese will adore the kids and you'll never lack a baby-sitter.
Health is a problem - little ones dehydrate fast, and traveller's tummy is therefore more of a problem for them than it is for adults - take advice from your doctor, but I would certainly take plenty of oral rehydration solution for starters. Myanmar lacks doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and pharmacies - don't count on buying anything at all in-country.
The above is based on living in Yangon for 2 years with 2 very young children.
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| lisapeace08:47 UTC06 Aug 2004 | Thanks so much for that Phillip.
The older two are well travelled and quite open to exploring. (however eldest daughter had a pre-teen experience in Nepal!). They're very excited so far about Thailand and Myanmar.
Our experience in Asian countries with young blue-eyed blondes has been quite positive. It seems to open up adventures that otherwise would be closed to us. (ie, inviting us into homes for a real family meal etc!).
Thanks again for your reply. Especially your advise on medical issues.
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| kellybrayton03:11 UTC07 Aug 2004 | Hi there. We are flying to BKK in mid dec and are also going to go to Myanmar with a 3 yr old and a 6yr old. Basically, I am trying to figure out the best places to hit with the least hassle for the kids. Have you figured out your itinerary yet? We are thinking maybe 2 weeks or a bit more and then back to BKK for Christmas. A bit worried about the isolation of Myanmar if the kids get sick.
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| lisapeace12:32 UTC07 Aug 2004 | Hi Kelly,
I've not yet worked out the itinerary, but my thoughts so far are.....
Arrive Bangkok, one or two days to buy christmas pressies and acclimatise.
Fly to Mandalay. Spend a few days there.
Train to Inle Lake. Few days here??
Train/coach back to Mandalay,
Fly to Yangon, spend a few days, then somehow travel south along east coast.
Fly back to Bangkok, hopefully then up to Chiang Rai,
Train or domestic flight back to Bangkok, then sydney.
Its all adding up with the dollar signs though, so I may have to adjust this to a more realistic budget.
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| honest bob21:09 UTC08 Aug 2004 | Hi:
Taking a bus anywhere in Myanmar with a toddler will be a drag. It is easier to land in Yangon as there are more flights. There are only three flights a week out of Chang Mai. Internal flights average out to about 80 USD one way. I suggest this:
Fly to Yangon from Bangkok.
Fly to Inle Lake for Yangon.
Fly from Inle Lake to Bagan
Fly from Bagan to Yangon.
Fly Yangon to Bangkok
Night train from Bangkok to Chang Mai
Night train from Chang Mai to Bangkok
Bangkok to Sydney.
You don’t have much time for Burma. Mandalay is not such a nice city. Yangon is a real neat city. Inle lake and Bagan are must sees. I hope this helps. Take all your meds with you to Burma, I agree with #1, the kids will be adored.
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| steve25216:13 UTC15 Aug 2004 | southern Myanmar... ...Yangon and then find our way somehow down the coast
by road/rail, foreigners can't go any further south than Thanbyuzayat / Setse
south of there, you can only visit Dawei, Myeik, and Kawthoung; and you can only travel between them by sea or by air
you can fly from Moulmein to Myeik, but when I did that it was a once-a-week flight; there were no flights from Moulmein to Dawei
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