BOOKHOSTEL HOME

BOOK A ROOM IN

Cruise: RV Pandaw II is an enlarged (22 cabins) newly built version of the original Pandaw I and will be introduced into service in October 2001. The colonial design favoured by the first Irrawaddy Flotilla Company will be faithfully reproduced to create the same atmosphere of the ever popular Pandaw I.

Beach: The Sandoway guesthouse in Ngapali Beach has opened a spa in November 2000. The latest beach developments in Myanmar are taking place in Ngwe Saung Beach where the first international guesthouse The Palm Beach guesthouse has soft opened in early 2001. Ngwe Saung Beach is located approximately 270 km to the west of Yangon and is reached after a 7 to 8 hours car journey from Yangon over a partly very bumpy and potholed road. A more relaxing access offers an overnight boat trip (17 hours) from Yangon cruising through the delta canals to the village of Thalakwa. There is also a project to build an airstrip. Ngwe Saung Beach is a seasonal destination from October to May as during the rest of the year strong monsoon winds and rain are part of every day life in this Myanmar region.

Sightseeing: Kat Ku, a major temple complex near Taunggyi (Inle Lake) up to now off limits for tourists is now officially open to foreign visitors. Hot Air Ballooning is an extraordinary way to experience the temples and pagodas of Bagan from November this year to March 2002.

The best time to visit Myanmar is from November to March when temperatures are relatively low (average 15 – 30 degrees centigrade) and when there is practically no rain. Note that in December and January the temperature can drop to near freezing at night in the highlands of the Kalaw, Pindaya, Taunggyi and Inle Lake area. In April and May which is the hottest season temperature often tops 40 degrees centigrade in Yangon, in Mandalay as well as in Bagan it can get even hotter. The monsoon starts between mid-May and mid-June bringing frequent rains particularly in the southern as well as western region of Myanmar which last until September.

Myanmar is a vast country and it is generally a very safe place to travel. Myanmar’s insurgency problems near the Indian and Thai borders are in areas that are off limit to foreign visitors and they will not affect a traveler’s journey through Myanmar in any way.

At the present time tourist visas are available from Myanmar embassies for a duration of 28 days. Package tour travelers are exempted from exchanging US$ 200.- into FECs. All items of jewelry, cameras and foreign currency in excess of US$ 2’000.- must be declared upon arrival on the currency declaration forms. Export of Buddha images, gemstones and antiques without an official receipt is prohibited. It is not permitted to bring mobile phones into the country, even if they are not connectable to international networks such as GSM.

Never drink tap water – purified, bottled water is available everywhere. Eat at established restaurants and avoid peeled or cut fruit as well as ice cubes. It is wise to guard against sunburn, dehydration and heat exhaustion. Light clothing made from natural fibers is useful most of the year around and a sweater or jacket is needed when touring hill areas and the Inle Lake region from November to February. When visiting pagodas and other religious buildings great care must be taken to appear modest in dress. Women should not wear shorts, bra-less T-shirts or have bare shoulders when visiting such places. Shoes and socks must always be removed at pagodas and monasteries. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installation is forbidden.

US Dollars in cash in small denominations. Credit cards are only accepted by major hostels in Yangon and Mandalay. Eurocard /Mastercard is not accepted anywhere in Myanmar. It is possible to change US$ travelers checks at major hostels and banks, but high commissions will be charged and travelers will have to face long waiting hours at bank counters. It is recommended to only change a small amount of US Dollars into the local currency (Kyat) as US Dollars are accepted throughout Myanmar.

The official language is ‘Myanmar’ with numerous regional languages and dialects. English is spoken at all major hostels. In the Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake area travelers will always find someone who will at least understand a few words of English.

No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Myanmar. Travelers should check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis as well as Malaria Prophylaxis. Take along any prescription medication with sufficient supplies. Myanmar hospitals are not considered to be of international standard, however there are two private medical emergency clinics in Yangon.

Myanmar cuisine mainly consists of a staple diet of rice, noodles and a side dish. These dishes vary from anything from an Indian style curry with meat or fish to vegetables and regional salads and soups. Chili is popular in Myanmar and is often used in spicy dishes such as curries, however the meal in itself is more often not as hot as the Thai version. Myanmar can boast of a diverse range of cuisine with Chinese, Thai and Indian restaurants sprinkled around the major cities. Western food can be found in a few French or Italian restaurants in Yangon as well as at major international hostels in Yangon and Mandalay.

Shopping is plentiful in most areas of Myanmar with colorful markets and stalls adoring most streets. Most popular buys include antiques, embroidery, gems, laquerware, mother-of-pearl, hand-woven silk longyis, traditional woodcarvings, customary puppets and tribal crafts. Jewelry should be purchased through an authorized dealer who will issue a receipt so that the items can be exported. Bargaining is an elemental part of Myanmar life in small shops and markets.

Major hostels and restaurants usually add 10 % service charge to bills. Where it is not included a tip of up to 10 % of the bill would be appropriate if the service is satisfactory. Porters should be tipped at Kyat 100 per bag.

Yangon hostels, the main gateway of Myanmar. Perhaps it is the last sample of a tropical Asian city which still featuring its former colonial origins. Shwedagon Paya, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Myanmar and also the major attraction of Yangon.

Bango Myanmar Bago (Pegu), this former ancient capital is located 80 kilometers from Yangon, en route to Kyaiktiyo. Sightseeing in Bago includes impressive temples, open-air markets, cheroot making, and woodcarving centers.

Bagan hostels Bagan hostels, one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, also a tranquil and majestic site. Beside the Ayeyarwaddy River, it contains thousands of temples set in a vast dusty plain.
Inle LakeInle Lake, is one of the highlights of the Myanmar experience. It provides lovely scenery with its hazy mountains in the distance. The vast lake is studded with floating gardens and is renowned for its unique leg-rowers and local markets.

Pyin Oo LwinPyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), located 64 kilometers from Mandalay and over 1,000 meters above sea level, it was founded during colonial times.Visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery, cool climate and nostalgic atmosphere from the old buildings and botanical gardens.

Kengtung MyanmarKengtung (Kyaing Tong), is the point of departure for one-day treks to the ethnic villages of Akha, Lahu, Wa and Shans and also the center of the Golden Triangle and one of the most picturesque towns in Shan State. To reach some of the most remote but inhabited mountain areas, we have to traveling through on a rough road (160 kilometers), adventurous visitors can reach Tachilek near the border of Thailand.

Mandalay hostelsMandalay hostels, one of the largest city in Myanmar and it is also the former royal capital of Myanmar. Attractions there are like historical buildings, temples and pagodas. Points of interest include silk and cotton weaving, marble carving, bronze and silver crafts, as well as Kalaga tapestries. Excursions out of Mandalay include the scenic trip upriver to Mingun with its vast unfinished pagoda and world`s largest bronze bell.

Thandwe Thandwe (Sandoway), located about ten kilometers northeast of Ngapali with 45-minute flight from Yangon, one will arrive in Thandwe. It is on the verge of becoming the finest guesthouse in the country with its sandy beaches.

Monywa, one of the major trading point for agricultural produce from the region and located on the bank of the Chindwin River. This town is a gateway for cross-river visits to the ancient carved cave temple of Po Win Daung and the spectacular Thanboddhay Paya Stupa complex.

Mount Popa, is an isolated and inactive volcano and rising 737 meters from the Myingyan Plain. A shrine dedicated to the legendary "Nat" spirits lies at the top of a steep-sided volcanic plug, which can be reached by ascending 777 steps.

Do's
When you pass through in front of an elder people lower your head a little bit to show respect.
Put of your footwears when you are entering religious ediffies live the pagoda precincts and monasteries.
Give due respect to the monks although you are not Buddhist.
When you are going to yawn or caugh turn your face sidewards.
When you get to molest others involunterily, say "gadows" twice, as a gesture of asking pardon.
Try to suppress your anger towards a younger one.
Make priar to admit what you don't know.
Make ready to admit what you don't know.
Say greeting words heartily.
Pay respect to those people who are semior to you by age or by rank.
Try to acknowledge the benevolence of others.
Smill heartily when it needs you.
Make friends with you neighbours.
Take your meal only after elder person has taken first, or leave the top past of the food for him and then start taking.
Keep the younger ones on the safe side when you walk together.
If you are going to talk about unauspecious things, you should begin the sentence with "Powa! gold house, and silver house, ", to wipeout evils.
If you are going to talk about or suggest posible mishap, you should begin the sentences with "Please may it not happen here."
If you are going to talk about or suggest shameful thing you should request.

Don'ts
Do not spit in front of the elderly people.
Do not stride or cross over the elederly people who are sitting.
Do not enter mpo the covered floor wearing shoes or slippers.
Do not wear the hat in the house, except gaungpaung.
Do not snage nor use tooth-picks without covering with your palm.
Do not critisize nor disgrace infront of the strangers.
Do not meddle in the family matters.
Do not try to borrow anything from a guest.
Do not praise your own talent or wisdom.
Do not give anything to the elder people with only one hand.
Do not ask the income of the other person.
Do not else bluntry the age of a woman folle.
Do not rappass the private apartment of others.
Do not look over the letter the other people are reading.
Do not be so fussy when you are a guest.
Do not touch the head of the older people.
Do not reject any visiter at your door if he is not endangering you.
Do not go abreast with the teacher; follow him.
Do not accept what you are not deserved.
Do not sit at the head of the place unless you are elder me among.
Do not give the berive as a apresent; ask for the gatherings a tohen poies.