Ringo R Dec 25, 2005

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Countries



This is where we tell you a bit about each country in SE Asia. We'll keep it fairly short and just cover the basics because there's already tons of information on the 'net. If you want to know even more, check out these websites:



http://www.wikitravel.org

http://www.talesofasia.com

http://www.travelfish.org

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com

http://www.xe.com/ucc/ (for currencies)



Can't get enough? Naughty Steve. will satisfy your link fetish: LIIINKS, MORE, HARDER, DEEPER, LINKS



Lonely Planet makes hugely popular guidebooks and you'll see people walking around with them like a holy bible, able to save them from any situation. If someone came up to them with a gun, they would probably say "a moment please" while frantically looking for the muggings chapter. Yeah, they make good books but you can survive without one by using the internet or just explore on your own. You might miss out on a thing or two, but at least you had your own adventure. Asking fellow travellers for advise also works but should be taken with a grain of salt.





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Thailand







Thailand is hugely popular and a common place to start out for people travelling in southeast Asia. It's a developing country that is rather developed but still quite cheap. Thais has understood the money tourism can bring in so getting where/what you want isn't too hard. Transportation is good, you can easily fly or take a bus almost anywhere, and booking it is equally easy as you can do this right from your hotel. You can divide Thailand into four parts:



North

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai etc. Mountains and nature stuff, far away from any beaches. Good if you like trekking. Avoid long neck village tours, they're just human zoos. It can get really cold here, so be prepared if you're coming from the island with just t-shirts and shorts.



Northeast (Isaan)

Nakorn Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchatani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen etc. Where the poor people doing the lovely jobs in Bangkok come from. Few tourists go there as there are not so many attractions. There are however a few "hidden" gems though. Go here if you are set on seeing a different side of Thailand.



Central

Bangkok, Ayuttaya, Lopburi etc. Bangkok is insane. It's noisy, dirty, smelly, constant traffic jams. Shop all day, go to temples, get wasted in night clubs. It's not a green city, it's not a beautiful city, yet some people love it.



South

Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Koh whatever, etc. Beaches and islands with some places looking just like those postcards with crystal clear water. Live next to the beach in a bungalow. Get wasted with young people/hippies on full moon parties. Hot and humid.



Thailand is also famous for sex tourism. While you will see a few old geezers with women half their age, it probably won't ruin your holiday. You won't see old pedos with kids walking around. You should also be aware of that in 99% of all cases, nobody forces the women into this. They are the exact equivalent of a redneck teenager who has two kids by 16 and is too lazy to get a real job. Prostitutes can make more money in one night than what the average Thai does in one month.





Recommended minimum budget per day

1000 baht (about $30). 500B for a decent hotel room, 200B for food/water, 300B for transportation, some shopping, etc. You can certainly live on less but then you're a smelly hippie and not having any fun.



Recommended food

One great thing about Thailand is the many street stalls serving fantastic food/snacks for little money. Go crazy, try everything. If you don't like it, you've just wasted very little money. Have some of that bbq chicken and fresh pinapple or watermelon.



Useful phrases



English: I can tell by your adam's apple that you're not a girl, although you certainly look like one, especially now that I have consumed three large bottles of beer.

Thai: Pom raak ter



English: Sorry, but I only like women. I have never slept with a man before and don't intend to do so. Perhaps you have an attractive sister you could introduce me to?

Thai: Ter raak pom mai



Sheep-Goats did not find my phrases useful enough and wrote his own:

http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...9#post371787402



Drinking and smoking

Alcohol and cigarettes are available in most convenience stores. Consuming alcohol in public is not illegal, or at least I've never seen anyone get busted for it. Drugs are illegal however and should be used discreetly. Penalties for getting caught with it are harsh. On some "important" days, sale of alcohol will be prohibited, which means bars and nightclubs will be closed. One example would be an election day where the government wants the people to go vote instead of getting shitfaced. However, they forgot that tourists cannot vote and so on...



Beware of

Taxi, tuk-tuk and gem scams. These are well known scams, just Google them. If someone offers you something and it seems too good to be true, it's a scam. Some places charge more for foreigners than locals, such as national parks or the Grand Palace in Bangkok. This is an unavoidable scam. If you're asian and look somewhat Thai, it is possible to avoid this by simply pretending to be Thai. Since this forum is full of males, it's very likely that you'll want to go on a "ping pong show". I've heard about scams where they charge insane prices for drinks and block the exit, forcing you to pay. Simply avoid this by not going. Ignore all the touts offering "ping pong show, sexy show, loving show".



Trip report and pics

RangerScum's photo trip report: http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...hreadid=3264732

joedevola's trip report: http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...5#post373037333

Sheep-Goats' Silom (Bangkok) Guide: http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...2#post393768744

Sheep-Goats' where-to-live map: http://i53.tinypic.com/fd4zu0.jpg





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Laos







Laos is rather undeveloped and quite laid back. People go to bed early so don't expect amazing nightlife like in Thailand. Laos is also landlocked, so don't expect any beaches. Laos sees mostly younger tourists who rents a dirt cheap bungalow and smoke weed all day, because they're cooooool. Yeah, let's just sit around here and smoke weed all day, maaaaaan. You can get around with buses but they're often old and donated from another country. This means your trip will take a very long time (8+ hours) and be very boring. Flying is also an option. There are a few sights to see but honestly not that many. Go to Laos if you want a slow and relaxed holiday. When you read about Laos you'll see the local beer, Beerlao, mentioned a lot. That's because it's the only god drat beer in the country. Fortunately, it's not bad. If you're coming from Thailand and you've learnt a few Thai words, chances are that you can use them in Laos as well. The languages are quite similar.



North

Luang Prabang etc. Everybody loves this little town with old French buildings. It's a nice town but I don't quite get what it is that people like. Maybe it's because I'm from Yurop (Europe) and have seen plenty of old European buildings before.



Central

Vientiane. Spend one day in the capital and get out, get out fast. It is the most boring capital city I've ever been to. You can see all the sights in one day.



South

Savannakhet, Pakse, Si Phan Don etc. Best explored with a motorcycle. Do a loop around the Bolaven Plateau, visit the temple ruins at Champasak, relax with hippies in a bungalow on Si Phan Don (4000 Islands).





Recommended minimum budget per day

200000 kip (a bit over $20). 60000 kip for your room. 80000 kip for food and drinks. 60000 kip to spend like a king... no wait, that's too much. Actually, forget this. This is too hard. It depends on where in Laos you are. On Si Phan Don, I could live on 80000 kip a day. Luang Prabang cost me almost twice as much I think.



Recommended food

The bad thing about Laos is probably the food. I think poor commodities are to blame, while Sheep-Goats would like to blame it on lovely cooks. The best meal I had in Laos was decent at best. Another problem is the lack of restaurants serving locals. There are a few but they're hidden away from tourists. Tourists get the expensive tourist food such as pizza and hamburgers and it all tastes bland and boring. Yup, the food in Laos is both expensive and bland.



Useful phrases

See above for useful Thai phrases. Works in Laos as well.



Drinking and smoking

Beerlao is available everywhere. I don't smoke or do drugs but it seems to be easy to get hold of as every other backpacker is constantly smoking.



Beware of

I don't know anything particular you should be aware of. The Laoitians have not taken scamming to the level of the Thais. I never had any issues nor heard about anything.



Trip report and pics

Ringo R's photo trip report: http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...hreadid=3248304





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Vietnam: - (Written by Cheesemaster200)







Vietnam is newer to the travel and backpacking scene in southeast Asia, but as the country is essentially one giant beach, it is quickly gaining popularity. When most people think of Vietnam, the first thing that comes to mind is the war back in the 60s and 70s, or the American war as it is known there. Vietnam has been a country which has been in conflict ever since the fall of the last imperial dynasty to the French, and only in recent decades have they been able to find a sense of national identity. Tourism has also been one of the most up and coming industries, and with good reason. Vietnam has many natural wonders, beautiful beaches, and a sense of history which spans not just Asian cultures, but western as well. As it is fairly new to the scene, travel in Vietnam now has the benefits of going to Laos and Cambodia (less people) with the benefits of the tourist backbone of Thailand. You can truly get a good cultural experience, without most of the headaches.



What to do

Vietnam is essentially split into three regions, the north, central and south. All three have three distinct cultures, foods, customs and nightlife. These are a few of the "must do" activities if you want to follow the tourist trail:



North:

The north of the country is generally centered around the city of Hanoi, the capital. The city of Hanoi is worth at least a few days. Sites to see include Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Hỏa Lò Prison (Hanoi Hilton), the Temple of Literature, and getting lost in the old quarter. For a backpacker just off the plane, the place to be is in the Old Quarter where you will find a ton of infrastructure catering to everything from a cheap hostel to the actual Hilton Hotel. Outside of the city, the north of Vietnam is renowned for its awesome landscapes. The town of Sapa up by the Chinese border will show you some cooler temperatures and local hill tribes. Down towards the coast, a boat trip into the magnificent Ha Long Bay with a stopover at Cat Ba Island are well worth your time.



Central:

Central Vietnam is generally based around the string of cities of Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An. Hue was the former imperial capital of the country before the French arrived. If you are a fan of Chinese architecture, archaeology sites and touring of temples, the city of Hue will give you lots to do. Sites to not be missed include the Citadel, the tomb of Tu Doc, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. For someone just off the plane (or bus), look to Pham Ngu Lao Street for a variety of very nice hotels, hostels, and bars which cater to the tourist crown. It was at a bar called "Apocalypse Now", drinking some bears in the open air night while listening to "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones where I was once taken back by the whole history of the place.

A little bit south past Hue, you get to Da Nang which is a rather boring city by itself (unless you are riding through it), aside from its fantastic beaches. China Beach, as the American's named it during the war is a ribbon of near perfection which is slowly giving way to upscale beach resorts between the city of Da Nang and Hoi An. If you are in the area, a visit to the marble mountain is also a good place to visit.

Finally, Hoi An is the definitive tourist destination in Vietnam and probably has the biggest backpacker infrastructure outside of Saigon or Hanoi. You can roll into the downtown here and immediately find a nice hotel or guesthouse. The same thing goes for shopping and bars. Like Da Nang, the beaches here are beautiful, and if you have some cash to spend, you can stay at a 5 star beach front resort for no more than $100 a night. Hoi An also has a very strong cultural aspect with its Ancient Town. The premier tourist destination in the region, the ancient town blends the modern comforts of nice restaurants with local artisans and makes a great walk at night. Beware though, it can get kind of touristy and crowded, especially when they do the lamp lighting on the river.



South:

The infamous South Vietnam, now integrated with North Vietnam, is almost a country on itself. Much of this is due to the cultural split which was a result of the many wars, specificly the American war. You will find that the prices are higher, the hotels and guesthouses are a bit older and run down, and the nightlife is just that much more wild. South Vietnam centers around the city of Saigon, which is now known as Ho Chi Minh City. While the latter is the official name according to the government, it is a bit bulky and most people just know it as Saigon. Within the city, there are many famous places to visit. The reunification palace is worth at least a picture. St. Josephs Cathedral and the post office is worth a look. For a good time, hit up the rooftop bar on the famous Rex hotel. Its a bit pricey, but the atmosphere is hard to beat. I also hear the Saigon zoo is quite worth it. For someone just off the plan, Pham Ngu Lao is the place to be if you want the comforts of the backpacker crown. Keep in mind though, that unlike other cities in the north and central region, the backpacker area here is more equated with Khao San Road of Bangkok in that it is part central and full of obnoxious hippies. Either way, you will be able to find what you need there.

Other parts of South Vietnam include Nha Trang, which is a very popular beach town. Here you will find again that there are higher prices and more tourists than the more northerly beaches though. Worth a visit though if you have time. The greater Mekong also has many small villages, rivers, and floating crap which can an experience, if not a bit more primitive. The Cu Chi tunnels, outside of Saigon are also usually on the to do list.





Recommended Budgets:

The Vietnamese Dong is the most inflated currency in the world. Last I checked, it was 17,000VND to the USD. A meal at a decent restaurant will go for 30,000-60,000VND. For street food, you can find a bowl of pho for as little as 5,000VND or less if you have a good eye and veer out of the tourist area. Western style hotels are usually around $30-$60, and that will get you A/C, HBO, a free breakfast, and peace of mind if you are worried about being in a strange country. Guesthouses can go down to $5 a night if you look hard enough, though prices are getting higher as more people visit the country. As a general rule of thumb, the more touristy the area, the more expensive it will be. Saigon and the south is generally a lot more expensive than the north. Dollars are used in all major cities, though ATMs are so plentiful, you will eventually just switch to the Dong. Negotiation is expected for all street vendors, some hotels, but not at food establishments. 9/10 times you can probably negotiate a cheaper room at a quiet hotel by just pretending to walk out.



Recommended Food:

I could go on with this forever, the food is epic in Vietnam, though might take some getting used to if you are not used to exotic cuisine. The rule is that the Vietnamese eat everything . If it moves, and they can kill it, they eat it. I would definitely try some snake, (if not just to say you tried it), prawns and at least one whole squid on the beach. The french/Vietnamese cuisine was my favorite. Try the braised orange duck, the caramelized shrimp, and at least one type of whole fish. If you are in Hue, sample the stir-fry. It is hot as gently caress, but extremely delicious. When Hue was the capital, all the emperors had cooks make a ton of different types of food. It shows. As with all southeast Asian countries, if its on a stick, it is an orgasmic culinary experience. Fish sauce is... fish sauce..

The one thing which everyone must try when going to Vietnam is the classic dish called Pho. It is essentially a noodle soup with various greens and either chicken or beef in it. It is the staple food of the country and is eaten at all times of the day. It is available everywhere.



Drinking and Smoking:

Unlike Laos, Vietnam has many localized beers which are usually named for the city you are in. They are always cheap, and always plentiful. I would suggest trying Tiger and Hue, as they were my favorites. All major cities have a nice backpacker zone for comfort bars, but if you want to get in with the locals, try a beer garden or Bia Hoi where you can drinking draft beer over ice for pennies. I never went with the whole ice thing to avoid a stomach issue, but once you are in country for a bit I am sure you will be fine.



Beware of:

Pompous Rhombus on his motorcycle. Actually, just watch out for all motorcycles, they are everywhere. On the scam front, it is the same old poo poo as any SE Asian country. Hanoi airport has had a lot of problems with the taxi mafia taking tourists to their paid off hotel. Make sure to tell the taxi driver at the airport where you are going and make sure to use the word "reservation". If you are approached by anyone on the street, they are selling you something and do not accept or do anything with them unless you want a confrontation. In Hanoi there are these women wearing conical hats with pineapple carrying things on their shoulders. They like to go up to tourists and put the carrying things on your shoulder, and put the conical hat on your shoulder. If you take a picture with them, they want a ridiculous amount of money for it. It helps if you are 6'-3" as they cant get to your shoulder . The police are more or less useless, so if you lose $1500 worth of poo poo while motorbiking from Hue to Hoi An, don't even bother trying to get a police report. Touts and merchants on the side of the road will leave you along if you tell them no or go away (in general).



Frequently Asked Questions:



Q: Do they hate the Americans since we bombed the poo poo out of them in the 60s?

A: I went as an American, and I can say there was very little anti-American sentiment in Vietnam. The only place I got a little negativity was in the north where you would say you were American to a cab driver and the conversation would go silent, and it might have only been because it was an awkward conversation to begin with. In general, the Vietnamese have moved on from their troubled past and are happy to see the western world give an interest in their mostly poverty stricken country. In the south, the echos of American culture still ring strong, and most people there love Americans. Also note that the vast majority of the populaton was born after the end of the war, so if you are under the age of 30, they hold the same feeling towards Americans as you would them.



Q: Am I going to step on a landmine?

A: While mines and unexploded ordinance are still in Vietnam, they are mostly in the jungle and rural areas and off the beaten path. There has been extensive work to remove leftover ordinance and as long as you aren't bushwhacking in the DMZ you will be fine.



Q: I saw the Top Gear Vietnam Special and want to do that, where do I start!

A: If you have never ridden a motorcycle in Asia or been to Vietnam before, I wouldn't suggest it. AS a TV crew, you have a support crew and it makes doing something that epic a lot easier. That being said, I would still do some motorbiking in the country if you are an experienced rider. When I was in Vietnam I did a guided tour from Hue to Hoi An over the Hai Van pass (much like the Top Gear special). Not only did I get to see the awesome road which goes over the pass, but our local guide brought us to some very out of the way places. One of these places was a deserted beach with straw/bamboo umbrellas where we had a fresh squid and prawns. It was the highlight of my trip. I also rented scooters on Cat Ba Island, based off of Cat Ba Town. If you are doing Ha Long Bay, I would recommend doing the island motorbike tour. There are literally no cars, busses or trucks on the place and you can do some really fun motorbiking through deserted hills and rural fishing villages.



Q: Do I need a Visa before going to Vietnam?

A: Your country might be different, but for a US citizen the current answer is yes. You must pre-arrange some sort of visa in advance. There is a visa on arrival program, but again it requires that you apply for it in advance. Do not show up to Vietnam without a visa, it won't end well with you.



Q: DO I need anti-malerials?

A: If you are only going to be in the cities and tourist areas, I would say no. If you are going to go into the Mekong Delta or into the inland jungle more, I would say yes. Most of Vietnam is considered safe.





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Brunei (Written by hbf)







Recommended minimum budget per day

I can't really put a number on it. It's definitely not as cheap as Thailand or anything. I think I took out about 100BND for my 2 day stay and had some left over.



Recommended food

I am not sure if there are any certain Brunein food. Since it is completely surrounded by Malaysia the food is pretty much Malay and Indonesian. There is also some Chinese and Indian influence as there is a fairly significant number of immigrants from those countries.



Useful phrases

-



Drinking and smoking

Brunei is a Sharia country. Alcohol is banned outright from being sold. Foreigners can bring in a small amount. I actually brought in way more than the limit (had like 4 bottles of Sangsom) but they didn't really care, I just told them I was confused by the metric system because I'm American... You are allowed to drink, just not in public. If you're in Brunei and need a drink, what most expats/tourists do is drive out to the border of Malaysia. I guess right over the border there is usually a shanty selling beer and sometimes a basic bar. I heard from a few Brits I ran into they can turn into quite a party some nights.



Just about everyone smokes tobacco however, and pretty heavily. Any kind of drugs are probably unheard of there.



Beware of

Not following etiquette while visit any Muslim site like a Mosque. Don't poke around the place on your own and always ask if it's ok to do anything. You can't take pictures inside Mosques and you also can't walk on the floor directly. They will put down carpets so you can walk around however, but you can't step off. I also had to wear a burka type thing to go inside the Mosques. Not a full one that covered my face, but it was a big black gown with a high collar that comes up your neck. Yes, I am a man.



Trip report

hbf - http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...9#post371772543





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Malaysia







Beasticly would like to share his satisfying sessions with the young gay culture of Malaysia

http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...0#post371810978



Hantu has a lot to add because he's a real Malay and pissed off

http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...2#post371922660



lemonadesweetheart likes Malay food

http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...1#post425826248





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Philippines







ReindeerF's favorite city in the world is Manila so he wrote about this love for it

http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...3#post372503943





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Burma/Myanmar (Written by Cheesemaster200)







Burma

Unlike the other countries in Southeast Asia, Burma can definitely be considered the backpacker frontier. Unlike its neighbors, you will not find backpacker ghettos, a western party scene or widely availible tourist infrastructure. While sometimes annoying, this fact definitely makes the country extremely appealing for anyone looking to get away from the rampant commercialization and faux Asian culture to the east. The country has a very prominenty Indian influence, and can best be described as a "Buddhist India or Bangladesh". That being said though, the country is not nearly as hectic or aggressive as its Hindu neighbors.



What to do:

Most tourism in Burma is generally centered around the "big four attractons of Rangoon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake. This is mainly due to the fact that the Burmese government makes it extremely difficult to roam freely around much of the country. In addition, attractions and towns not near these areas are very hard to get to, much less get by in.



Rangoon:

The colonial captial of Burma, Rangoon boasts some of the country's biggest attractions as well as the base for most of it's tourist infrastructure. Subsequently, it is also practically the only port of entry and exit from the country. While in Rangoon, make sure to hit up the Swedagon Paya, the Sule Paya and some of the old colonial architecture half in ruins throughout the city. For food, make sure to try out the quasi-Indian quarter around Sule Paya. You can get some delicios cheap eats there for around 500 kyat. If you are looking for accomodation, I would recommend the Okinama guesthouse located on a alley street adjacent to Sule Paya. As you can tell, the Sule Paya is a nice little place to base yourself out of. To get around town (and from the airport), you will need to use an un-metered taxi. Don't worry, there are no meters anywhere so don't feel too bad when the taxi cartel at the airport scams you for a flat $10 transfer to downtown. If you are looking for a day trip, hit up Bago outside the city a bit.



Mandalay:

Up along the Irriwaddy river in the North of Burma, Mandalay drums up visions of the quintiscential ancient Asian city in the middle of the jungle. In reality though, it is neither ancient, in the jungle or representative of a southeast asian city. However, this doesn' mean that it isn't worth a visit. Mandalay can be a very nice city to just explore. Its location up north makes it a good break from the monsoon if you just spent 3 days getting soaked in Rangoon, trust me. Key highlights are walking up Mandalay Hill (don't loving cheat), and visiting the various monestaries and payas littered throughout the city. Mandalay is also a base point should you want to get adventerous in the far north of the Burma. I stayed at the Royal Guesthouse when I was there, and it had decent and cheap accomodation. However, they did fleece me on my boat ticket down to Bagan. Don't hit up the palace if the fact that it was made with forced labor bothers you.



Bagan:

The jewel of Burma, Bagan is the equivalent to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, but with less tourists and more structures to explore. You can base yourself out of three towns in the area; Old Bagan, New Bagan or Nyang U. I would recommend Nyang U as it has less government owned property and more backpacker infrastructure than the other towns. Once again, be ready to deal with taxi mafias and extortionary flat rates to/from the ferry pier or the airport. To get around the temples you can either hire a horse cart and driver (prices based on demand) or rent a bike for 1500 kyat. I recommend the later since you have a lot more freedom, just be wary of flat tires though and drink lots of water. It isn't too hot here, but its still Southeast Asia. You can easilt spend 3-4 days here, depending on what your tolerance for bike riding, painting touting and somewhat generic temple architecture is.



Inle Lake:

Never been to Inle Lake, but I here it is one of the most touristed places in the country. It is also used as a base for trekking for most trekkers in Burma. You can do some nice 3-4 day treks around the countryside here and see some off the beaten track stuff. In addition, you can also go around the late and see the floating villiages, fisherman, etc. etc. Its on the eastern side of the country, so kind of out of the way from Mandalay and Bagan (which is why I didn't go).



Again, these are just the main attractions. If you really want to get away from it all and depart western culture entirely, I would suggest getting a permit for the far north or heading down to Mrauk U in the Southwest of the country. I hear those are both very adventerous places to go.



Recommended Budget:

The US and Euro governments have a financial services embargo on the entire country. Therefore, You will need to bring in the required amount of USD to cover your entire trip. There are no ATM's and most places don't covert Baht or other regional currencies. That being said, you MIGHT be able to get a wire transfer through singapore through some of the upmarket hotels in Rangoon for an astronomical commission (~30%). You probably don't want to do this. Expect accomodation to be $5-10 a night minimum, depending on where you are and how busy it is. This will usually get a private room with shared bathrooms. Look for about $15-20 for bus rides, $2-40 for boat rides (depending on the route and time of year), $70 for flights and $10-50 for trains. Food is extremely cheap, look for a max of 4000 kyat at any Burmese restaurant, though it can get higher at expat and tourist places. Note that the trains, some airlines, some boats, and some hotels are owned by the government. If supporting the military junta is something you wish to avoid, then be wary with what hotels and transportation methods you patronize.



Recommended Food:

Burma doesn't really have the reputation for cuisine as Thailand or Vietnam do, and in fact I found most of the food kind of mediocre. The curries here can best be described as Indian, but chunkier and a little less flavorful. As with any Southeast Asian country, noodle soup is in abundance and you can more than get by on that. What you will find is that the Indian food is extremely good. In Rangoon, Bagan, and Mandalay you will find a large variety of Indian restaurants which serve up cheap and delicious meals. I would strongly recommend trying it out.



Drinking and Smoking

Myanmar Beer is everywhere. You can find Mandalay beer up north a bit, but most of the time you will be drinking out of large recycled bottles of Mandalay. There are a few Tiger Beer drinking stations around the major cities (such as Mandalay), but for the most part their presence is not very big. Smoking isn't that big in Burma, but they do love their betel nut. Thats not blood all over the sidewalk and that guy you just passed is not a zombie. The ubiquous red betel nut is chewed and spit by almost all men. I thought it was disgusting and didn't try it. Feel free to try it I guess...



Beware of:

Burma is a rather isolated country run by an authoritarian military government. That being said, the country is extremely safe for travelers. You should have no trouble walking alone at night by yourseld in Rangoon or Mandalay. That being said, don't be a dumbass and use common sense regardless. The biggest problem you will have are people trying to scam the poo poo out of you. The most obvious of these scams are the taxi mafias which you will more than likely come into contact with. Anyplace where you are sort of stuck away from where you are going with no other transport but taxis will yield you a bunch of taxi drivers offering the same extortionary price with nothing you can do about it. It sucks, but what are you going to do. Also, watch where you walk. The Burmese sewer system is not what I would call very advanced or well maintained. Finally, don't be a dumbass and try to stir up a revolution or something. Keep your politics to yourself and don't do anything stupid. I met some guy in Rangoon during my first night in Burma, and he was planning on "stopping by Aung San Suu Kyi's house to make an appointment and talk with her". I would not recommend such things if you don't feel like being deported or detained.



Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Should I go, and how should I spend my money?

A: The biggest question that seems to go through everyone's head in regards to Burma. From a personal safety perspective, you are perfectly safe. The government will crucify anyone fucks with a tourist so you have nothing to worry about in that regard. However, the dollars that you spend in country will eventually end up in the hands of a rather barbaric military junta with a long history of human righs violations. I have outlined areas where you can limit your exposure to this sort of spending, but ultimately you will not be able to fully isolate yourself from it. Other factors which go into this are your personal schedule and beliefs. If you are tight on time or don't like staying in lovely guesthouses, you might feel the need to possibly put more money in the goverment purse. The choice of whether to go, how much to spend, and where is your choice and your choice alone. Weigh the issues, your situation and make a decision based upon that. I have always felt that Lonely Planet and lots of other publications like to pressure people with guilt trips about traveling in the country. However, I have always found this hypocritical for obvious reasons. Decide on your priorities and make your own choice.

In my opinion, you should go. There are very few places in the world where you can see the level of authentic culture as you can in Burma. It is in many way untouched by the tourist trail which plagues so many other countries, but at the same time has enough infrastructure to not be completely ridiculous. In addition, the Burmese people are the ones who will need to rise up and change their world. They will never do that if they are kept isolated from the rest of the world. If you go, make sure to interact with the locals and try to find and share with the "real Burma". I think that will do much more good than any type of travel boycott.



Q: Why are all the men wearing skirts?

A: It's not a skirt, its a Lungi, or South Asian version of a sarong. Unlike most other SE Asian countries, this traditional dress is still worn by most of the population.



Q: What is the best way to get around?

A: The easiest, but most expensive way to get around is by air. However, note that Burmese airlines don't have the best safety record and a couple of them are owned by the government. However, not ALL of them are owned by the government, so don't rule air travel out entirely. Buying tickets is easy from any travel agency or guesthouse. All airfare must be paid for it dollars, by law. Busses are long and uncomfortable, but ultimately the cheapest and all owned by private companies. Expect at least 12 hours from Rangoon to Mandalay. Boats are a fun and scenic way of seeing the country, though their times are irregular and dependent on water levels and the season. I would recommend the trip from Mandalay to Bagan if you can fit it in your schedule, it was quite nice.



Q: What about visas?

A. You will need a visa from either your home country or from a Burmese consolate abroad. It's comparitively cheap (especially for an American), but they can be picky if you put down an occupation or purpose which is not in line with the government's ideaology. That is, don't put down journalist, freedom fighter, LF poster, etc. as your occupation if you don't want your visa denied.





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More countries will be added! Go ahead and write! Ringo R fucked around with this message at 10:29 on Feb 18, 2014