CULTURE TIPS Myanmar is a
country deeply respectful of
their religious and cultural
traditions. Visitors will not
cause offense if they note a few
things:
Remove shoes and socks before
entering religious buildings and
compounds. Some monasteries
allow foot- wear in the compound
but not inside the buildings,
start- ing with the lowest step!
Better make sure first. It is
also polite to remove shoes
before entering a private home
but socks may be left on.
When handing someone money or a
gift use the right hand or both
hands, with the exception of
paying the bill in a teashop or
restaurant. Then it is a more
casual transaction.
Women should not ride on the
roof of buses or boats; it is
offensive to the men or elderly
sitting under- neath. Women
should not touch a monk's robes
or body of monk or nun. In most
pagodas women are not allowed to
go up higher levels.
When you wear Myanmar dress,
which is sold ready -to-wear,
make sure you do not wear it
carelessly such as with knees
showing or unbuttoned or, in the
case of women, without
underwear. Going braless is
definitely not done in Myanmar.
Make sure not to be wearing
shorts or skimpy tops when you
visit pagodas. Even in the
streets skimpy clothing would be
considered insult- ling to the
public.
TRAVEL TIPS
Visa:
All
foreigners entering Myanmar must
have a valid visa issued by the
Myanmar Embassies and Consulates
abroad. There are two kinds of
visas applicable to tour- ists;
(1) package tour visas and
(2)FIT visas. Package tour .,isas
can be obtained for persons
arranging tours through -egistered
local tour operators or their
agents abroad. =IT visas are for
persons not making any
arrangements 'or sightseeing etc
with local tour operator but
prefer to ~xplore the country on
their own. All tourist visas are
,alid for 28 days with an option
for extension. Visa on ~rrival
can be arranged prior to your
arrival by your .ravel agent but
only for package tours.
~irportTax:
Airport tax is US$10 per person
on international jeparture.
:urrency:
Myanmar currency is called Kyat,
and comes in lotes of 1 <XX>,
500, 200, 100, 90,50,45, 20, 15,
10, 5 and 1 kyat
r/y-September
2007
Credit cards and Travellers'
Cheques:
Currently credit cards and
travellers cheques cannot be
used in Myanmar. So please make
sure you bring enough United
States dollars in cash for your
intended purchases and avoid
disappointments.
Climate: Temperate and cool
during the months of Novem- ber
to February and the best time to
come visiting. Warm to scorching
from March to May in the Dry
Zone but moderate on the Shan
and Kachin States. It is monsoon
season from June to October in
Yangon and the coastal regions,
so plan to go to Bagan and
Mandalay during this time.
Clothing:
Light cotton clothing, slip-on
shoes or sandals, a sun hat,
maybe a light jacket for cooler
evenings of hilly regions.
Comfort and Care: Mosquito
repellent and sunscreen are a
must. Try to avoid going out in
the midday sun when it's very
hot. Don't forget to bring
medication you would normally
use in emergencies, such as
antibiotics etc. Most medicines
are available but maybe not the
brand you normally use.
Drink only pre-boiled water such
as green tea or bottled water of
reputable brands. Better to
avoid ice cubes in the street
stalls.
Avoid eating shellfish in hot
weather, if you are not actually
on the beach.
Shopping: You cannot post
parcels home, although some
shops will do the shipping for
you. Ask first before you buy
anything bulky. You cannot take
back antiques. Better to avoid
buying old-Iooking Buddha images
even if they were made a week
ago, as the Custom Officers may
not allow its export. Buy
jewellary only from authorised
dealers and be sure to get a
receipt which must be shown at
Customs checkpoint at the
airport.
Miscellaneous:
Crime rate is low, so you are
safer than in most countries but
prudence is never wrong.
Electricity: 230V; 50Hz.
Myanmar Standard Time:
Myanmar is 6.30 hours ahead of
G.M.T
