Myanmar. Has anyone been?

[Brit]

We are looking for a destination for our October vacation. If you have been, what did you see/do? How did you like it?

[Mushe]

My parents went within the past six months, and absolutely loved it. A family friend is stationed there with the State Dept and convinced them to come, and they were not disappointed. I'll look back for their itinerary and write more.

[Brit]

Thank you Mushe!

[Brit]

Aug 23, 2014 15:07:17 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

I haven't yet been, but hot air ballooning in Bagan is on my list for when we do go. I have a friend who went several years ago and loved it.

I need to read more about this. Is there a western balloon operator? I think I would be kind of sketched out by a local one because I would be more concerned about proper maintenance.

[scout8]

I know that someone went, because I remember reading about their trip. I just searched and it looks like it was publius. I think she might have a different screen name now.

I would love to go!

[Mushe]

Brit, I got a copy of my dad's travel diary, to check my memory. They did Bagan, which they enjoyed, but didn't do any hot air ballooning. They did visit a lacquer factory, which they enjoyed, but they're big on bringing things back for themselves and all of us.

Next was Inle Lake, which they thought was pretty great. They talked a lot in their emails to us about the buildings being built on the water. They had a private guide there for a few days, and also did a day of wine tasting. They rented bikes there during a free afternoon, but my almost 70-year old mother was clipped by a motorbike and got pretty banged up. They also visited a lotus weaving factory, which they found really interesting.

Their favorite was Ngapali Beach. Their pictures are amazing, and they said it's really quiet, and doesn't seem to have been discovered by many tourists. My mom got an hour long massage on the beach for $6! This is the place they were really urging us to visit, and thought our 2 year old would enjoy it.

[Brit]

Mushe - Thank you! I'm glad to hear that they think your 2 year old would like it because I will be bringing my 2 year old.

I bought two Myanmar travel guides yesterday, one is a picture heavy one and it looks really cool and different. I'm nervous about the hotel situation though. My H is a peculiar dude who likes either backpacking style camping or 5* hotels... I don't think either of those options will work there, so that will be interesting. I need to read more.

[Mushe]

Ha! I like the extremes. I've read your posts here about your travels with awe, so I hope it works out and you love it!

[Cicero]

We did a long weekend in Yangon. It was one of my favorite trips that we took in Asia. With three days on the ground in the city we didn't feel particularly rushed but there were things we didn't see. I'll shoot you a pm in the morning.

@mx has been as well.

[Cicero]

FWIW our hotel in Yangon was really nice. I don't know how possible good accomodations are outside of that city but at least there it's totally doable.