Any safety issues

Any safety issues in Yangon that one shoud be aware

Any safety issues

Just bring a life vest...

if you are going soon... half the country is under water.. apparently.

Any safety issues

Hi,

General common sense really.

Make sure you got your vaccinations.

Make sure you have a good flash-light/torch. Dont wander off to quiet side streets or areas or if you have to or do, try not to be on your own.

Watch your steps, the pavings are not always level and there may be pot-holes.

Avoid cold food or food left on display for some time. Eat boiling hot freshly prepared food.

Mosegrisen%26#39;s not correct about half the country being under water. But it%26#39;s not flooding (the destructive kind) ; it%26#39;s the paddy fields. Was he thinking of Bengladesh? It does rain quite heavily in Rangoon and you need a good large umbrella if you can take one; otherwise it would be cheaper to buy one out there and leave it at the end of your stay.

If you are referring to safety in terms of health, just exercise common sense when you eat and bring lots of mosquito repellent. Vaccinations are not really necessary. I travel to Myanmar very frequently and I have never had a health issue more severe than a single episode of a 24 hour bout of what would be called Delhi belly in India.

As far as personal safety, Myanmar is incredibly safe. I have NEVER heard of a foreigner being accosted, nor have I ever heard of any theft of property. Yangon is a great place: respect the people and the city and you%26#39;ll have a terrific time.

I have just returned from Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Ile Lake and did not encounter any safety difficulties. Traffic is slow, roads are bad, internal flights were excellent and I never felt threatened.

My Tuk tuk in Mandalay did not have lights, or the driver said it did but not battery madam! Enjoy - it is a glorious country. I have never felt safer.

Since you have recently returned from Myanmar/Burma, a few questions if you have the time and inclination. I am going to all the places you mentioned in Burma in early January 07.

I%26#39;ve read that it is a requirement for each person to change $200US before departing the airport. True?

I have to get from the airport to hotel (Parkview Summitt) on my own; are there plenty of taxis at the airport? and I read that only certain ones are licensed to carry foreigners...true?

Re taking off shoes to go into temples, etc...is it ok to put on thongs that you have carried in your bag for this purpose?

Any suggestions on small items we could bring to give out to children, people we meet? sugar-free gum comes to mind...

Well, that%26#39;s fairly wordy. Would be great to hear from you. Sounds like you had a wonderful time; I%26#39;m looking forward to the adventure.

ColJ

You do NOT have to change any money at the airport. This practice ceased 3 years ago.

You can wear thongs around the streets. But you must be barefoot at all times in Pagodas everywhere.

Sugar free gum would be just fine. Not a bad idea. Pens are also nice, especially colored pens.

Taxis from Mingaladon to the Summit Parkview are 5 bucks. All taxis are permitted to carry foreigners in Yangon.

Have a nice trip!

There is no requirement to change $200 dollars on leaving but I think you have to pay around $10 to get out. Taxis are easy and you should always agree the fare first.

Don%26#39;t take gum - why introduce them to something that does them no good and only pollutes the streets? They need pens, paper, crayons, pencil sharpeners, small balls. You could take pictures of your country.

Buy a lunghi and wear that and always take off your shoes or thongs in temple areas.

I have never felt safer. Enjoy.

Khayeethe

Hahahaha.. rice fields.. very funny.. I hadn’t seen this comment until today:-)

Actually.. as some of you may remember.. the Typhoon Xangsane caused a lot of damage, not just in Myanmar, but all over S. E. Asia... at around that time.. Many people were killed. Lots of people ended up staying on local monasteries for days or even weeks because roads, train lines and houses were severely damaged... .. So, no.. Khayeethe.. I wasn’t talking about rice fields.

gloss