Basics - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 76

and you'll also need to be aware of the potentially serious effects of heat, sunstroke, dehyd-
ration and the risk of malaria (and other diseases). And be aware that, should anything go
wrong, medical facilities in the country are rudimentary at best.
Activities
Older kids may enjoy exploring the ruins of Bagan by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage
(especially if you can dress it up in suitably Indiana Jones style) and might enjoy a boattrip
on Inle Lake, and possibly a day trek through local villages. The beaches are another pos-
sible draw, although there's not a lot in terms of specific child-friendly activities apart from a
few watersports (for older kids who are also confident swimmers). Visits to elephantcamps
at places like Ngwe Saung and Taungoo may also appeal, as will the zoos at Yangon and (es-
pecially) Naypyitaw. In Mandalay, kids may enjoy the puppet performances at Mandalay
Marionettes or the Minta Theater, as well as the dances of the Moustache Brothers (though
the satire at the latter will likely go over children's heads). Sporty youngsters will also get a
kick out of just hanging out with the locals, maybe joining in an impromptu football match
or trying a spot of chinlone - locals will be delighted to take them under their wing.
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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Addresses
Thewords“road”and“street”areusedinterchangeablythroughoutMyanmar.Insometowns
streets are clearly signed, whereas in other places signage can be nonexistent. As elsewhere
in Asia, directions are usually given in relation to local landmarks rather than using street
names and house numbers.
Costs
Accommodation is likely to be your main cost in Myanmar, with even the cheapest rooms
costing around $15-25 and upmarket lodgings going for $150 or considerably more. Food is
much more affordable - you can get a meal on the streets or in local cafés for just a couple
of dollars, with mains in more touristy places costing around $4-5 (although equally some
top-end places charge prices on a par with Europe or North America). Bus and train tickets
are also relatively (if not exceptionally) cheap - an express bus from Yangon to Bagan, for
example,costsaround$15. Flying isobviouslymuchpricierbutnotprohibitivelyexpensive,
especially whenyouconsiderthetime-saving involved-YangontoBagan,forexample, will
costsomewhereintheregionof$70-100.Hiringyourowncaranddriverisexpensive,asare
packaged trips, especially cruises - more upmarket river trips can cost thousands of dollars.
Admissionfees aren't too punitive - the week-long ticket covering the whole of Bagan costs
a modest $15. Government museums typically charge a $5 entrance fee.