Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Toilets
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Apart from most guesthouses, hotels and upscale restaurants, squat toilets are the
norm. Most of these are located down a dirt path behind a house.
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Usually next to the toilet is a cement reservoir filled with water, and a plastic bowl lying
nearby. This has two functions: as a flush and for people to clean their nether regions
while still squatting over the toilet.
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Toilet paper is available at shops all over the country, but not often at toilets. Some
places charge a nominal fee to use the toilet.
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Sit-down toilets are not equipped to flush paper. Usually there's a small waste basket
nearby to deposit used toilet paper.
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It's acceptable for men (less so for women) to go behind a tree or bush (or at the road-
side) when nature calls.
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Buses and smaller boats usually don't have toilets.
Tourist Information
Myanmar Travels & Tours
(MTT;
www.myanmartravelsandtours.com
), part of the Min-
istry of Hotels & Tourism, is the main 'tourist information' service in the country. MTT of-
fices are located in Yangon, Mandalay, New Bagan and Inle Lake. Other than at Yangon,
these offices are pretty quiet, and often the staff have sketchy knowledge on restricted
areas.
Travellers who want to arrange a driver, or have hotel reservations awaiting them,
would do well to arrange a trip with the help of private travel agents in Yangon and other
major cities;
Click here
for recommendations. Many Myanmar 'travel agents' outside Yan-
gon only sell air tickets.
Travellers with Disabilities
With its lack of paved roads or footpaths (even when present the latter are often uneven),
Myanmar presents many physical obstacles for the mobility-impaired. Rarely do public
buildings (or transport) feature ramps or other access points for wheelchairs, and hotels
make inconsistent efforts to provide access for the disabled.
For wheelchair travellers, any trip to Myanmar will require a good deal of planning. Be-
fore setting off, get in touch with your national support organisation (preferably with the
travel officer, if there is one). Also try the following:
Accessible Journeys
( 800-846 4537;
www.disabilitytravel.com
) In the US.
