OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Asia
- Myanmar
- Yangon
- Lake Inle
Lake Inle
Inle Lake, beautifully located at the base of steep green hills,
is remarkable because of its inhabitants. Thousands of people live
around the lake but, most impressively, many live on it. Whole
villages rest on stilts surrounded by water, rather like a bamboo
and
teakVenice where men steer rowing boats through
water roads. The men have adapted a unique way to row, wrapping one
leg around an oar and standing with the other, their hands are
often busy fishing.
Tourists can hire a boat and driver to lead them through
floating markets and workshops making silks, cigars (cheroots) and
jewellery. An impressive wooden temple is also able to be visited;
the months are famous for having trained cats to jump through hoops
and perform tricks.
Visitors first arrive to the town of Nyaugshwe to a host of
river side guesthouses and restaurants. Boat hire can be done
through hotels or independently at the town's river. Expensive
hotels on the lake can be booked before hand. Depending on season
the town can flood making the experience of living on water a
little more practical than it first seemed.
Information & Facts
Language
Burmese is the official language, yet English is widely
spoken and understood. Burmese's alphabet is made up of circular
and semi-circular characters. Other languages spoken are Karen,
Shan and Kachin.
Money
The official currency is the Kyat (MMK) pronounced 'Chat'. The
best currency to travel on in Myanmar is the US Dollar. The Foreign
Exchange Certificate (FEC) is a legal currency for visiting
tourists that is usable in government shops and hotels. It is no
longer a requirement to convert US$200 into FEC upon arrival in
Myanmar. One FEC is equivalent to one US Dollar. It is recommended
to use US Dollars. It is difficult to cash American Express
travellers cheques in certain cities, such as Mandalay, and even
when it is possible the commission can be as high as 10 percent. US
Dollar notes will not be accepted if they are damaged or torn in
any way, or have pen marks on them.
There is a big difference between the official and
unofficial exchange rates; street moneychangers offer
favourable rates at hotels and Scott Market. As a rough guide, the
black market rate is in the region of US$1 = MMK 1000 - a dramatic
difference when compared to the official government rate. Very few
major hotels, airlines, shops and restaurants accept credit cards
and ATM cards can rarely, if ever, be used. It is advisable to
carry cash. Banks are closed on weekends.