First of all, need to stress, I have no medical background whatsoever. But, my experience - I did get malaria tablets and started taking them a couple of days before the trip as prescribed. However, our TM (who has led many tours to Asia) said he wasn't taking them and they weren't needed for where we were going. I did continue with them for a couple more days then forgot all about them. If I was repeating the trip, I wouldn't bother with malaria meds - but, of course, that is my decision and others may have a different view. If you look on the nomad.co.uk travel clinic website, they have country breakdowns and it does show the areas of the JY trip are "low risk".

Regards

Katy

Hi Katy

Is it necessary to take malaria meds ?My local travel nurse said it was unclear and that Mandalay was really the only place on the tour where mossies may be a problem.

Thanks

Newby

Hi Katy

Yes,I wanted to ask this as well. The nurse at my practice said it was all low risk so up to me!

Thanks

Sue

I have booked the beach add-on. Not keen to see there is a long coach journey to get there.

I hope that this tour continues to evolve and improve. Already I see that Day 5 has been changed.

How did you feel about the barefoot rule in temples? Were the floors all right and not filthy?

Was there a good range of food? I hope that we are not just going to be served Burmese food as I could never eat it.

Did many go to the temples in Mandalay as soon as they landed? I can't see me doing that as I just don't sleep on planes anyway!

Looking forward to the big trip!

Graham.

Hi Graham, yes the long coach journey over terrible roads did for me and on the return journey I was car sick - and this in a very comfortable people carrier.

You'll get used to "shoes off" every time you get to a temple (there are lots of them, so plenty of practice), usually on the way out of the temple you'll be handed one of those small packets containing a cleansing wipe. I usually took some spare in my bag, in case there was nothing there.

I enjoyed the food, there was usually a good selection. Lots of rice of course.

The first couple of days were hard work, with jet lag (+I couldn't sleep on the plane out) and a very very early start on the day after arrival when you fly up to Mandalay. I was shattered at the time, but just kept going and it all worked out fine in the end.

Really jealous of those still to do this trip, would love to go again.

Regards

Katy

You may wonder why I chose it. Actually, it's for the culture and the people. The temples are not high on my list, although I'll be keen to see a few.

Judging from the itinerary, I surmised that the first few days would be tough going, with the internal flight the day after the big journey, and a Mandalay tour sandwiched in between. I'll have to soldier on, and if it is just too much, I'll stay and rest at the hotel.

Best Wishes, Graham.

I am actually allergic to Chinese & Thai food so this should be an interesting trip for me (and a good diet!). I shall be taking some fruit based snack bars along to keep me going but will be looking towards the western options on the menu where possible. I'll report back on my return which is the Friday before you leave.

Sally

I've also booked the add-on. Thought it would nice to have some time to relax after  such a  hectic tour, but probably  wouldn't have done so if I'd known it would be such a long road trip to get there.

I did the first Burma trip in February, and did the add-on. Some people on the Forum are worried about the coach trip to the beach - don't be! You do stop for lunch and also for "comfort breaks". I personally found the journey fascinating as you really see rural Burma from the comfort of your coach seat! I'm a keen photographer and took a lot of photos on the way.

The beach is the best I have ever been on in the world, and the food, and staff, are outstanding. You can also have a massage on the beach!

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Hils

Hils, as I chose Burma/Myanmar for the culture change (not the temples), I look forward to seeing the rural Burma away from the crowds on the route to the beach. I'll be armed with my camera to take what looks like the most interesting pictures. As for the beach itself, it sounds fantastic, as does that massage!

Sarah, the reason I booked the beach add-on was to relax after what looks like a very busy vacation.

Best Wishes,

Graham.

Just a word of warning on Western options,  I enjoyed a very acceptable steak in Mandalay but two of our group were rather surprised by the interpretation of fish and chips in Kalaw,  Chips were crisps and the fish wasn't cod altho very tasty.  Just don't expect the description to be what you expect at home.

Have a great trip

Those who do not like Chinese, Indian or Thai food should bear in mind that the cuisine we get here in the UK is not really authentic. You should at least try a little bit of local food and you may surprise yourself!

Enjoy Burma.

Regards

Jaya

What is the situation with electrics, especially to charge phones or camera batteries? what type of socket is it? American, European, etc

Thanks Stella

Hi Katy

What is the situation with electrics, especially to charge phones or camera batteries?  what type of socket is it?  American, European, etc

Thanks Stella

Hi Stella,  I had no problems with his.  Plenty of sockets.  I took my universal charger plug thingy with me - bought ages ago in Boots.  Never had a problem.  Sorry can't be more technical than this.

Katy

Hi Graham

Just a word of warning on Western options,  I enjoyed a very acceptable steak in Mandalay but two of our group were rather surprised by the interpretation of fish and chips in Kalaw,  Chips were crisps and the fish wasn't cod altho very tasty.  Just don't expect the description to be what you expect at home.

Have a great trip

Sounds like they were using the American interpretation oif 'chips'. Perhaps I should call them 'fries'?

Graham.

Hi

Those who do not like Chinese, Indian or Thai food should bear in mind that the cuisine we get here in the UK is not really authentic.  You should at least try a little bit of local food and you may surprise yourself!

Enjoy Burma.

Regards

Jaya

Hello Jaya.   I don't think I shall. Indian food makes me ill, and rice is a no-no.

Graham

Sorry to hear that Indian food makes you ill. You better stay away from it! Hope you find plenty of other options in Burma. Have a great time.

Jaya

Sue