Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maps
The best available is the 1:2,000,000 Periplus Editions
Myanmar Travel Map,
a folded
map with plans for Mandalay, Yangon and the Bagan area, or the ITMB 1:1,350,000
My-
anmar (Burma)
. Another choice is the 1:1,500,000 Nelles
Myanmar,
a folded map on
coated stock. Good places to buy maps online include International Travel Maps and
Books (
www.itmb.com
)
and East View Map Link (
www.maplink.com
).
Myanmar-based
Design Printing Services
(DPS;
www.dpsmap.com
)
prints useful
tourist maps of Myanmar, Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan; sometimes these maps are sold
locally for about K1000 or given away by tour agencies, at hotels and international gate-
way airports.
Meditation Courses
Several monasteries around the country (in particular in Yangon and Mandalay) run
courses on
satipatthana vipassana
(insight-awareness meditation), where foreigners are
welcome. Beginners are typically expected to sign up for a 10-day residential course to
learn the basics. Longer stays (and special visas covering them) are also available. Ex-
pect the following:
»
The courses are open to all and free; voluntary donations according to your means are
accepted at the end of retreats.
»
Meditators must follow eight precepts including abstaining from food after noon and
leading an austere lifestyle (no smoking or drinking; sleeping on basic beds often in
shared accommodation).
»
You will be expected to keep a 'noble silence' for most of the 10 days, save for inter-
views with meditation teachers.
»
Daily practice begins at 3am; breakfast is at 5.30am and lunch at 10am.
BRING NEW BILLS!
We cannot stress enough the need to bring pristine 'new' US dollar bills to Myan-
mar - that means 2006 or later bills that have colour and are in absolutely perfect
condition: no folds, stamps, stains, writing marks or tears. Anything else may be
rejected when you come to pay.
While $100 bills get the best exchange rates, it's also a good idea to bring lots of
small dollar bills - ones, fives and 10s - and use them to pay for your hotel and
other charges directly.
