Travelling To Burma(Myanmar) Safely
Myanmar, better known to most as Burma, is an isolated country where you can find a populace that is gentle, humorous, considerate, engaging, and inquisitive. Whether one visits to see the 4000 sacred “stupas” in the plains of Bagan, the golden rock that teeters impossibly on the edge of a chasm, the men wearing skirt-like “longvi, ” or the women smothered in a makeup called “thanaka, ” one will discover a one-of-a-kind experience in this region of the world and Burma Travel is ready to put together a one-of-a-kind package just for you.
The Myanmar area offers many opportunities not found elsewhere in the world. It’s as if the country has been lost in time and, when visiting, one will find their source of transportation is the same that has been used for many years. Creaking buses maneuver over pothole-filled roads extending travel time and often making getting around difficult.
The people you meet will greet you as members of their own family that have been gone too long. Additionally, the amenities taken for granted elsewhere, like the local 7-Eleven with their self-serve soda fountain, is nowhere to be found. Although this might create a slight culture shock, by the time you return home these services will suddenly taken on new significance.
This type of vacation is one where one needs to put their busy lifestyle aside in order to appreciate a culture where holy men are more important than anything else and golden Buddha’s are bathed daily at first light. These and the famed temples in the area draw many visitors and receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience in exchange.
Riding the old river steamer down the Ayeyarwady River provides many opportunities to view sites from the best vantage point possible. Additionally, the beautiful beaches of Ngapali and Ngwe Saung line the Bay of Bengal and provide many opportunities to soak up some sun and swim in the clear, clean water.
For those who seek adventure on their trip, there many experiences that will fuel your emotions and stimulate your senses. A trek through the pine forest to the remote villages around Kalaw will provide you with the opportunity to experience the natural beauty and historical artifacts that fill the area.
Dazzling waterfalls, enchanting caves, graceful lakes, cavernous ravines, and sparkling beaches all serve to accentuate the unique cultures of the different ethnic groups that reside in the area. The Burmese people are willing to help and are very kind to everyone they meet. One of their best features is their welcoming heart and hospitality toward visitors. Unlike many countries, when visitors arrive they are not interested in finding ways to get money out of them but, rather, in seeing how they can help the most.
For those who are planning to visit this area, the first thing to learn to say is “Min-ga-la-ba, ” which is a greeting similar to “hello.” The other is Kyay-su-be (pronounced jay-zu-be) which means “thank you.” After four decades of isolation Myanmar (Burma) is eager and anxious to welcome visitors and share the beauty, history, traditions, and culture that make this country so unique. To get the most out of the trip, however, it’s best to work with professionals in the area who know their way around. Burma Travel is just waiting to design a tour package that exceeds your expectations.
