Traveling in Burma

By Emma Larkin, posted on: May 30, 2011

Countries governed by military dictatorships are not generally renowned as prime holiday destinations, and Burma is no exception. Unless you’re o­n a pre-organized package tour, there is nothing easy or relaxing about traveling through Burma. Take, for example, o­ne of the most basic transactions necessary o­n arrival in a new country: changing money into the local currency. As there is no internationally recognized banking system in Burma, credit cards, ATM cards and traveler’s cheques are largely useless. You must carry all the cash you need. The country’s bogus economy means ... » read more

Five Days in Burma

By Aung Zaw, posted on: February 26, 2012

As the plane descended into Rangoon’s international airport, I noticed a slight change in my heartbeat. I felt calm, but also excited, knowing that I was about to return to Burma for the first time in 24 years. Inside the airport, a young immigration officer smiled as I gave him my passport. He was quite chatty, asking me about The Irrawaddy – how we gather news from inside Burma, how we designed our website. With a smile that betrayed his betel-chewing habit – his teeth had a telltale tinge of ... » read more