Myanmar or Laos?
Mar 12, 2003 | 11:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 702
Myanmar or Laos?
Next week I'm off to China to travel around for close to 3 months, then I have a stopover in Bangkok for two weeks. I was recently in BKK so I don't need to spend too much time there. My plan is to head off to either Myanmar or Laos. Given the time of year (rainy-ish) where would you go? Yangon seems VERY rainy (about 19 inches for the month of June) although the Bagan, Mandalay area seem to be on par with Vientienne and Luang Prabang (about 5-8inches). Has anyone been to both that could tell me some of their experiences? Please no political commentary, thanks!
Mar 13, 2003 | 7:30 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Everywhere
Posts: 758
Laos is nice, but do not expect much in the way of facilities or built up tourist areas. The area is like the land time forgot. I do not know much about Burma (I like my politcal commentary) expect that there is a significant amount of bribery that needs to go on to get into the country (at least from isolated stories from people I know).
Mar 13, 2003 | 8:55 am
#3
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: TUS
Programs: AA 1.8 MM, DL, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold,
Posts: 3,430
I was in Laos last year..if you like outdoor activities..hiking..waterfall climbing and tubing its great..but as the previous poster said..it is not set up very well for tourists..head to a city up north called Vien Vang..thats where I enjoyed my stay the most. Vientienne is just another small city..nothing really to do. Its is easy to get a bus or pickup ride from Vientiene..and Laos is very cheap...I flew in from Cambodia on Laos air..make sure they stamp your passport on arrival..I had a small problem..but $40 later it was resolved 
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MRKEY
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MRKEY
Mar 13, 2003 | 1:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 258
No reason you can't do both. Laos takes about 5 days, Burma 7-8 (will the "it takes 3 months to see a country" crowd please shush!)
Forget the rainy season problem, you are going when it's too **** hot!
For itinery ideas, take a look at couple of the many package tours which cover these countries in this timeframe. If you don't want to it it on your own, private guides add very little to the cost.
BTW: Laos visa available at the airport/border. Gotta get you Myanmar visa ahead of time.
Forget the rainy season problem, you are going when it's too **** hot!
For itinery ideas, take a look at couple of the many package tours which cover these countries in this timeframe. If you don't want to it it on your own, private guides add very little to the cost.
BTW: Laos visa available at the airport/border. Gotta get you Myanmar visa ahead of time.