Burma; have you been?

[ohnoherewego]

I'd love to go now. DH and I have travelled extensively in Asia but not with DC. The best time for us to go is October half term which is a fortnight. Dcs will be 11 and 13 and it will be their first trip outside Europe and N America. Am I mad? We would have to strictly limit it to a fortnight and I think we may not have enough time to see it all and Dcs will find it all too much.

I was there pre-DC about 6 years ago. Was good, and lots of interesting things to do and see, but 'tricky & hard work' in places. I backpacked with a friend, and it was at the time of a bit of civil unrest... I think you could do it in a fortnight, but I'd be keeping a close eye on FCO advice if doing it independently, or maybe book a tour? Friends have used Imaginative Traveller, and recommend them, and they do a couple of Burma trips. Alternatively, how about Vietnam or Laos if you're looking for something which would be a bit 'calmer'? Sorry if this isn't what you're looking for - just what I'd be thinking of with our DD (but who is much younger, so I'm probably being over-cautious).

I loved Burma. I went about 15 years ago with a friend (pre-DC). Fantastic place. I went for 10 days and I felt we managed to see most of the things we needed to see. We used every form of transport (train, bus, bike, car, boat, elephant) we could although I think there wasn't much rain at the time so the river was low and we weren't able to see as much as we'd would have liked there.

I'm afraid I don't know much about the current political climate there at the moment. A long time ago friends of mine through work actually got to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, they went to her house. What an amazing experience that must have been.

If you do decide to go, I am sure you will have a wonderful time and your children will love it too.

Thanks guys. I need to check current FO advice but think the situation is now generally ok. We have been to Vietnam pre DC which is why we're keen to go to Burma. I imagine as it's just opening up that it may be like Thailand 25 years ago.

Went with 3 year old DS about 6 years ago. Bit quiet for my taste, but we did go during monsoon season. Went trekking to see some tribe up up a very slippery track, paid some old bloke who was all skin and bones $3 to carry him for the day.