Dear fellow travel bugs,
What do you know about Myanmar?
Not many people have been to this member country belonging to the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN).
Most people would have formed certain impressions based on the news coverage, history lessons, and book reviews they have encountered.
To some of you, the memory of the immense devastation wreaked by Cyclone Nargis remains recent. To pro-democracy advocates, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi may herald a new dawn.
Myanmar has indeed gone through turbulent times throughout the centuries.
But yet, a journey to the countless stupas and pagodas dotting all over the whole landscape of Myanmar will not even remind you of those turbulent times. One feels at ease, and at peace at these Buddhist sanctuaries.
You see these stupas and pagodas in small towns and big cities; on top of hills, in forests, and by the river.
Myanmar has three seasons – the hot season (early March to late May), the monsoon season (late May to mid October)and the cool season (late October to late February). In fact, this is the best time to visit Myanmar - during the cool season!
The weather is unbearably hot during the hot season, if you are visiting Myanmar during the hot season. You might end up spending large amounts of time staying indoors to escape the torrid heat. Temple visiting is almost impossible between 10am and 4pm, because the ground would be so hot - you might feel like you are dancing on hot coals. Just in case you do not know, you are only allowed to walk with your bare feet on temple grounds.
If you are planning a trip to Myanmar, you will have to arrange a visa (whether for business or for social visit) before you enter the country. There is no such thing as visa upon arrival.
Generally, the requirements for visa application are:
(1) Original, signed passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity
(2) Passport-size photographs: 2 (in some Myanmese embassies in some countries, the requirement is for 3 photographs, so check the requirement with your local Myanmese embassies)
(3) Copy of round trip tickets or confirmed itinerary.
If you are arranging a trip to Myanmar from Singapore, you will have to prepare a letter to the official in the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, explaining the purpose of your visit.
You are advised to obtain the visa first, prior to arranging your flight tickets, to avoid complications with rearranging your flights. The expected turnaround time for processing of visa is 3 working days in Singapore, though this may vary from country to country.
You may also apply your visa online at http://myanmar.visahq.com/. Further information can be obtained from the Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) (Country Travel Guide).
I wish you happy travelling.
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