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Title: Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) (Myanmar: Burma, 8th Ed) by Steven Martin, Mic Looby, Michael Clark, Joe Cummings ISBN: 1-74059-190-9 Publisher: Lonely Planet Pub. Date: 09 January, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Update not realy update
Comment: Lonely Planet published this updated version in September 2002. I have visited Myanmar in August 2003 (a very good experience!), and found the guidebook only usefull for the descriptions of places to visit (although even there some interesting places are not mentioned in the guide), and the maps. For places to stay and eat, the guide is completely outdated. For instance, new hotels have started business long before 2002, that are not mentioned in the guide. It looks like the 2002 "update" mainly concerned the (important) political situation.
Rating: 5
Summary: Essential - but always be sure to get the latest edition.
Comment: I don't know if or when any of you is going to find himself / herself in this particular area, but anyway here it is...
This is the latest edition (8th) that was released only about a year ago. Things really changed in this edition compared to its predecessor; more authors are involved and new and updated information is added (though many sections remain).
Important note: When it comes to Myanmar, things can change for better or worse overnight due to the nature of the ruling government, while some other things tend to stay the same. Especially here, pay close attention to all the small details given in the chapters "Facts for the visitor", "Getting there and away" and "Getting around" - they matter greatly.
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As a whole, the guide will be a valuable asset for you if you're planning on traveling there, and there is absolutely no doubt whether to buy it or not - it's an essential purchase. To a great extent it will help you plan your budget, your destinations, how to get there and when, what to bring and so forth.
You should know that there are some beautiful places to visit in the country. One of them, the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon, strikes me as one of the most beautiful man made structures in the world. Imagine a 100 meters high Stupa (Buddhist religious monument), all covered with golden leaves, set on top of a hill, in the center of smaller golden temples and Buddha statues. The sight was breathtaking and alone was worth coming. Another famous place, yet less astounding, is Bagan, the city of Stupas in the north. There you can find numerous Stupas some of which were built more than 1000 ago. And yes, almost in every city and town you will see at least one golden Stupa (that immensely contradict the poverty of the people) that give Myanmar the name "The Golden Land".
The tagline on the cover of this book is "should you go?" It is misleading due to the fact that the answer they give inside is "yes". If you want to go - go, the political status is not of your concern, you're a traveler not a world freedom fighter. You wouldn't help the local people by avoiding the country - they benefit from your staying there - and that is all that you should care about.
Nevertheless, the authors don't really prepare you for the level of poverty you're going to meet there (the same way another author hasn't done in the Cambodia book yet); this is one of the poorest countries in the world and that's why you should always be careful and never trust anybody - they're there for your money (mostly). I really don't like, after being around, the attitude of "the locals are so nice and we can learn so much from them"; some of them are really nice and helpful, but others are nice because you spend your money there and it's downright blatant. Expect it; don't fall for it and BE CAREFUL of forced and immediate friendliness. Remember that as a tourist you're regarded as very rich and compared to them you are.
I want to mention the fact that as a traveler and a guest you will receive the best services even in budget hotels - they treated my friend and me like royalty in each and every hotel, and that was something we really enjoyed and appreciated. It's the best service all over South East Asia, and it does say something about the people as a nation.
I hope their days of freedom will come soon. ...
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Title: Insight Guide Burma/Myanmar (Insight Guides) by Francis Doral, Insight Guides, Clare Griffiths ISBN: 1585730017 Publisher: Langenscheidt Publishing Group Pub. Date: 30 September, 2000 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Lonely Planet Cambodia (Cambodia, 4th Ed) by Nick Ray ISBN: 1740591119 Publisher: Lonely Planet Pub. Date: August, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: Myanmar Country Map: (Burma) (Periplus Travel Maps) by Periplus Editions ISBN: 9625930701 Publisher: Periplus Editions Pub. Date: June, 2000 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: Lonely Planet Burmese Phrasebook (Burmese Phrasebook, 3rd Ed) by Vicki Bowman, San San Hnin Tun, Vicky Bowman, San San Hnin Tun ISBN: 1740590481 Publisher: Lonely Planet Pub. Date: December, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Lonely Planet Laos (Laos, 4th Ed) by Joe Cummings ISBN: 1864503734 Publisher: Lonely Planet Pub. Date: January, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
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