Language: Burmese. Time Zone: EST plus 11 hours. Electricity: 230V/50Hz

Transcription

1 MYANMAR Capital: Naypyidaw Language: Burmese Population: 60.1 Million Time Zone: EST plus 11 hours Currency: Riel (KHR) Electricity: 230V/50Hz Fun Facts Burma was officially named Myanmar in 1989 by the regime in power at the time. Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. It is slightly smaller than Texas. Often referred to as The Golden Land due to the number of pagodas covered in gold Myanmar is endowed with a rich ecological diversity, an important national asset. Here, you will find about 100 bird species, 300 reptiles, 7,000 species of plant life and 300 recorded mammal species. The Irrawaddy River in Myanmar is believed to be a symbol of continuity. To travel to Myanmar, formerly Burma, is to step back in time to a place that has changed little since the British colonial era. Ruled by the British starting in 1885, Myanmar regained its independence in In the 1960s, the country essentially shut its borders to the Western world after the sitting government was overthrown and socialist policies were instituted by the new regime. Seeds of change were planted in the late 1980s as Aung San Suu Kyi, a national hero and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, helped form the National League for Democracy. In 1990, the first multi-party elections since 1960 were held, but the sitting government refused to accept the results. Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest, where she remained for 15 of the next 20 years. Mounting international pressure and democratic reforms finally led to her release in 2010, followed by a dramatic shift by the government to a more democratic style of rule. While there is still work to be done, Myanmar is carving a peaceful and more prosperous path to the future. Along with these changes, the borders were reopened to Western visitors for the first time in more than 50 years. While Yangon, formerly Rangoon, is growing rapidly, much of the rest of the country is virtually unchanged and traditions remain the way of life. Young women wear fragrant thanaka to protect their faces from the sun, horse and ox carts transport goods to the market, and the monastery is still the center of the village. The culture is as diverse as it is colorful with more than 130 ethnic groups calling Myanmar home. VISAS, PASSPORTS, AND OTHER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS You are responsible for obtaining and paying for all entry documents (visas, etc.) and for meeting all health requirements (inoculations, etc.) as required by the laws, regulations, or orders of the countries you will visit. We cannot accept liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country for failure to carry correct documentation. A visa for your visit to Myanmar - Burma is necessary for US citizens. If you hold a passport from another country, check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Myanmar - Burma.

2 In general, going through a visa service is more expensive but it offers convenience and peace of mind. If you choose to go this route, we recommend contacting Generations Visa Services (GenVisa), our preferred partner for visa and passport services, at least 90 days prior to departure. GenVisa has a special website and toll-free number. Call , info@genvisa.com, or visit their below websites for additional information. Our travelers receive discounted prices and other special services: For Avalon, visit:genvisa.com/avalon For Monograms, visit: genvisa.com/monograms All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Most countries require that the passport be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the conclusion of your trip, so please check the expiration date carefully. It is also recommended you have a minimum of three blank pages in your passport when traveling, as many countries require blank pages. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on you and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room. Most countries have laws that require you to carry your passport with you at all times. COUNTRY CODES The country code for Myanmar - Burma is 95. When calling to Myanmar - Burma from overseas, dial your international access code (011 from the U.S./Canada), followed by the country code, area code, and phone number. Phone numbers in Myanmar - Burma are 6-9 digits in length. Dialing from the U.S./Canada: ### ### ###. CURRENCY The symbol for the Myanmar Kyat is K Banknote denominations: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 Kyat Coin denominations: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 Kyat As a general guideline, bring a variety of payment means, particularly in the event that you have difficulties with your preferred method of payment. Cash US dollars are accepted at most hotels and attractions in Myanmar. When paying with US dollars it is important to note that change may be given in the local currency. US dollars are also accepted in some souvenir shops and markets in and around Yangon, Bagan, and Mandalay, but in many cases small purchases such as food and souvenirs will need to be made in the local currency, the Myanmar Kyat (chat). ATMs are a convenient way to obtain money in Yangon, and they are fairly accessible in cities such as Bagan and Mandalay. Please check with your bank prior departing home to make sure you will have access as there are more restrictions in Myanmar than in other countries. In smaller towns, ATMs are not readily available or available at all. Due to this, it is advised that travelers either withdraw the needed funds during visits in the larger cities or bring the money needed from home to be exchanged. It is advisable to bring newer US notes that are in good condition as some merchants will not accept those that are tattered and/or old. Also ensure they are the latest design with the large portraits and subtle background colors. Older bills may be refused. For the most current exchange rates, please go to our website at globusfamily.com/currency. Credit Cards Major credit cards are accepted at most international hotels, larger shops, and tourist restaurants but in many cases you will need to use cash. Visa and MasterCard are the most accepted.

3 Traveler's checks Although a secure means of carrying money, traveler's checks unfortunately are becoming very hard to use. Due to this we recommend you plan on using cash and credit cards only. Bank Hours: Myanmar: Mon. - Fri. Sat. - Sun. 9:30 am - 3 pm Closed BUDGETING AND SHOPPING The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices will vary widely by restaurant and city within a country but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel. The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is 1,300 Kyat. An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately 7,000 Kyat. Dinner at a mid-range restaurant with dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage starts at approximately 17,000 Kyat. Shopping Prices are as marked in department stores, though in markets it is customary to barter. Start negotiating with an offer at one-third or half the vendor's initial price. Please be warned that if you buy items on tour to be shipped to your home, customs import charges are hardly ever included in the price. Sales tax or GST (Goods & Services Tax) is normally already included on price tags; GST refunds, if applicable, are processed at the departing airport from the relevant country. TIPPING Tipping is not customary in Myanmar but is becoming more common in tourist areas. It is not customary to tip table staff at local restaurants. If you choose to do so it is at your discretion. For a taxi, tips are not expected but we suggest you pre-negotiate the price before getting in. and then round up the fare as tip. Tipping hotel staff for bar or room service is at your discretion but if you choose to we recommend 1,300 Kyat at the most (not including porterage which is included). ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRICAL OUTLETS Voltage for outlets is V. North American voltage is generally 110V. Some, but not all, hotels feature multi-region outlets that accept different types of plugs. Due to this, for dual voltage electronics, we still recommend you bring an adapter. If you have single voltage electronics (110V) a converter is also required. Bathroom outlets are usually for razors only. The outlets look like:

4 TEMPERATURES The climate in Myanmar is dominated by monsoons. Yangon is hot year round and hardest hit by the monsoons. Bagan, Mandalay & the North have a wider range of temperatures and significantly less rain than Yangon. A few general guidelines: Yangon: Warm with some cool evenings between November and February Hot/dry between December and April Hot/wet between May and August. Hot with decreasing rains between September and October Bagan, Mandalay & the North: Hot/warm with some cool evenings between November and February Hot in March and April Hot with some rain between May and October. To help you plan, below are average low and high temperatures. Yangon Mandalay Bhamo Bagan Ngapali Beach Inle Lake January 64/90 F 54/88 F 65/76 F 55/78 F 50/73 F 45/72 F February 67/94 F 59/91 F 53/82 F 55/80 F 49/74 F 47/76 F March 71/97 F 66/93 F 60/88 F 59/85 F 53/73 F 52/81 F April 76/99 F 73/95 F 67/93 F 64/86 F 60/76 F 60/84 F May 77/92 F 77/97 F 73/93 F 68/87 F 64/79 F 63/81 F June 76/86 F 79/99 F 75/89 F 65/80 F 66/80 F 64/77 F July 75/85 F 79/97 F 76/88 F 64/79 F 64/79 F 64/75 F August 75/85 F 75/97 F 75/88 F 64/79 F 60/74 F 64/76 F September 76/87 F 73/93 F 70/89 F 64/87 F 56/77 F 63/76 F October 76/89 F 72/93 F 70/89 F 62/76 F 56/79 F 61/75 F November 72/90 F 64/91 F 61/81 F 61/78 F 53/77 F 52/74 F December 66/89 F 63/88 F 52/76 F 55/76 F 53/79 F 47/71 F To convert to Celsius, subtract 30, then divide by 2. While not exact, this simple formula will give a close estimation. FOOD SPECIALTIES Burmese cuisine is characterized by the extensive use of fish products such as fish sauce and ngapi (fermented seafood). It has also been influenced by its Indian, Chinese and Thai neighbors. Mohinga (rice

5 noodle and fish soup) is a traditional breakfast dish considered by many to be the Country s national dish. Seafood is common in coastal cities, while meat and poultry are more commonly used in landlocked cities such as Mandalay. The Burmese also enjoy a variety of salads that focus on one major ingredient (from rice noodles and potato to lahpet (pickled tea leaves) and tomato) for their balance of flavor and presentation. Dishes are primarily mild and dipping sauces are served with peppers for those who want a spicier dish. Drinking Water Tap water is generally not safe to drink. For sightseeing and excursions, bottled water may be included; otherwise we recommend you bring bottled water with you from your hotel. Bottled water is also common in restaurants. CUSTOMS AND CULTURE Try not to point with your feet. In the company of monks or elders never cross your legs. Do not touch people on the head or upper body. When beckoning someone to come over do not flap your hand in the standard Western 'come here' motion; instead turn the hand round so that your palm flaps down towards yourself. Do not shake hands with monks or nuns as people in general rarely shake hands; rather smile and nod away. Ladies should never sit down next to a monk. Shorts and skirts should be longish (below the knee) for both sexes and it is okay to expose arms when visiting temples. Shoes and socks need to be removed when entering most temples. Smoking is common in Asia so locals tend to be less sensitive to issues regarding smoking around others and often ignore non-smoking signs. A FEW WORDS OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGE Burmese (transliteration) Good morning/day: mingalabar, Good evening: mengla nya nay khin ba, Hi: Min g alar par, Please: Kyeizu pyu yue, Thank you: Kyeizu tin ba de, You're welcome: Ya be de, Yes: ho keh, No: Ma ho bu, Do you speak English? In glei za ga go pyaw thet de la?, I don't understand: na: ma leh bu:, How much? Be lau le:?, 1:ti, 2: hni, 3: thone:, 4: lei:, 5: nga:, 6: hchau, 7: hkun/hkun-ni, 8: hyi, 9: ko:, 10: ta-hseh/ hseh, Where is...?...beh hma leh:?, Bathroom: ain-ta, Coffee: ka pi, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE COUNTRY INFORMATION Additional country-specific information for U.S. citizens can be found on the U.S. Government s website Here, you can find the most up-to-date information about destination descriptions, passports/visas, safety and security, transportation, travel local laws, alerts/warnings, vaccinations, and more. For citizens of other nations, we recommend you consult your local consulate for travel information, regulations, and requirements. Last Updated 1/31/18