Burma vs. Laos

[Dragon1423]

Leveller,

Very informative report, I'll be there in January at the Panorama Hotel, however you got my attention with your statement " recent robbery of unsuspecting tourists" Can you or anyone shed some light on this, areas, scams, mode of operation? Any information is greatly appreciated, thanks for a great report.

D1423

[Leveller]

First time to Myanmar (and first report in here); after being helped greatly by the info provided here, thought I'dd add to the info here with my findings!

I travelled through this troubled country for a few weeks, and met genuinly and astonishingly friendly people, and highly attractive women, who, as an aside, stride graciously instead of waggle like ducks. Stayed in the Panorama hotel. Great location, good price, decent rooms, professional, cooperative & friendly staff. GF.

Nighttime action:

- the bellboys in the Panorama are of great help, and they can provide good quality girls

- right under the bridge in front of the Panorama hotel (as was suggested by Sakaundeh in previous posts) you can find mamas/papas; talk with them, and tell them discretely about your urges; I had one of them take me to a beauty salon/massage place where 'special massage' was on offer; picked a true beauty out of 6 girls; the room was primitive tho; no english, no take-out, no mattress (ouch! )

- in Yangon I only checked out the 'local scene' (as indicated before by Sakaundeh) venues: as I like massage with a happy ending I decided to check out Mingala Zei for this; once there I was told 'only massage, no special massage'. Some guide I met on the street took me to the Olympic Hotel (IIRC) massage; the papa there said (whispered actually) any special arrangements can be had by negotiating with the girl, and spending one night at said hotel. The girls wandering around looked perty cute, but I didn't venture, as my Burmese is, well, non-existant.

I went twice to the Emperor, and did not like it much. Went trice to the Palace, it was ok, but I was told the fashion-show girls are not for take out (too bad, as one looked raleigh cute); took out another girl, which looked cute in the club, but back in the room and post-shower, was not that special. I found this to be true most of the times: the girls in the clubs are well-used; the ones outside of the clubs are generally nice.

- on the North-West side of the road with the Emperor and Palace club (under the flybys) is a tea-shop; sit down there from 7pm, order a tea, and wait. You will be asked sooner or later if you'd like a girl. At first I was offered a fat lady nearby, who cooked up noodle-dishes. Wtf! ? . After a while I was offered a cab-ride to greener places. Having heard of recent robbings of unsuspecting tourists I decided to go for it anyway, and off we went to another tea-shop, where 4 cuties sat, waiting for some extra income. They were all very nice, and I chose a tall and slim one to come back with me to the hotel. Skills not that great, but appearance and attitude very nice.

I had no chance venturing into the 'high class' venues (Pioneer/BME); the 'local club scene' didn't impress me that much; it seemed knowing who to talk to matters much more (which seems logical considering the circumstances this country is in); so, talk discretely to your bellboy, taxidriver, guide, and they may provide you with 'outside' girls who're generally unjaded and very cute.

2cts

EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Txl Muc]

Gents,

I will be in Rangoon from Nov 29th. While I have been to Burma and Rangoon already, so far I did not try the P4P scene, but plan to do so this time.

Any requests for TOFTT? Anyone out there at the same time?

Txl Muc

[Cactus J]

Thanks Sak & Matka for your replies! I am looking forward to my visit and will probably have somemore questions as the time gets nearer.

Cactus J

[Bold Focker]

If anyone is around during this time, i would love to meet up for a beer or two.

[Sakaundeh]

Cash is king in Rangoon. Everyone carries.

Matka is correct. Bring cash because you won't be able to use the ATMs in Burma. They don't have any connection with the outside world. Infact, credit cards can't be used either due to US sanctions on the country.

I've been getting a few PMs about the currency exchange rates in Burma. Burma is unique in this regard. They have a free market rate which is what everybody uses and the free market rate is currently 1 USD = 1300 kyat. You can get the free market rate from this website;

http://www.irrawaddy.org/

The official exchange rate is what you get from banks and online currency conversion websites. This rate is not used for most (if not all) people who visit the country.

So, guys, when I quote 20,000 kyat in my reports, this is equivalent to $15 USD.

Enjoy Burma, but please do take the necessary precautions as I've mentioned in my reports. Mongering is very much an underground activity there and the authorities will turn a blind eye to it as long as it remains underground.

[Matka]

Cactus,

Cash is king in Rangoon. Everyone carries. It is very safe place, but precausion is advised. No display. Always carry under the shirt or in front pocket. I saw a few ATMs but did not use them. Also, you will get the government rate, which is like KYT 4 per $ or something like that. Who needs it? Carry some $20, 50 and 100. You can exchange at any hotel, jewellary shop, or even by your taxi driver. I did not see anyone using credit card. But, may be top hotels can take it.

Good luck.

[Cactus J]

How do you get cash? Or must you take enough US$ to carry you through your trip? Does the Panorama or other hotels take credit cards? Have in room safe?

Thanks in advance!

Cactus J

[Nonthab]

Sorry, I know nothing about golf in every country in the world. Try googling it.

[Cactus J]

Thanks Nonthab! By reviewing this forum I see that Air Asia and Bangkok Air fly to Yangoon. Air Asia looked to be less than 3000b return so it is a great deal. I do appreciate your help but still need assistance with golf.

Cactus J

[Nonthab]

Wtboatr,

Whilst the beggars in Myanmar are pretty desperate compared to Thai beggars they're not overly annoying. Most would hassle you for about as long as it takes you to cross the street but there really weren't too many. I probably got hassled maybe once an hour while walking around. There was one kid who followed me for about an hour no matter how many times I doubled back. I got rid of him eventually when I went back to my hotel, no great problem really.

Cactus J,

I don't know if I'd trust Myanmar Air, the one plane I saw looked pretty rough. Bangkok Air was 5900B return from a Nana travel agent.

[Cactus J]

Anyone know what the opportunities are for golf in Yangoon. Also would fly from Bangkok, anyone tried Miranmar Air? prices? Can't seem to get expedia to put a price together. Many thanks for any help you can offer!

Cactus J

[Sakaundeh]

Great report guys! Glad to see others enjoying Burma as much as I do. It really is a nice place to monger as long as you play your cards right and keep a low profile.

We went to the Emporer bar, which turned out to be the wrong place, it's a KTV bar. We should of asked for Emporer nightclub.

Nonthab, the locals pronounce Emperor as "Empire", thus the reason for the confusion, possibly?

[Wtboatr]

Nonthab - I sure enjoyed your report. I'll be in Burma in 5 months. It'll be my first time. I'm pretty excieted about the trip.

I was in Cambodia last year, Phnom Penh & Siam Reap. Lot's of beggars there. Anyone have any experience regarding how the beggars in Burma compare to the beggers in Cambodia.

One thing that got real old in Cambodia was everyone wanting $1 USD from me. I hope things are not like that in Burma.

WT

[Dragon1423]

Matka & Nonthab,

Great reports, thanks for the info. I'll be checking it out in early January.

D1423