PLANNING

Myanmar is probably the most difficult place we've had to plan for. Mainly because there seems to be a lack of reliable and consistent information available.

This is largely because the country has only embraced independent travellers relatively recently, and things are starting to change quickly.

Internet information about visas was vague and contradictory, but in the event the process at the embassy in London was easy and straightforward. Having said that, the process seems to have been designed for a very low number of applications - handwritten receipts and application logging, and only   one person at the counter - but a crowd of people queuing.

It worked OK though, our visas were ready on the appointed day one week after submitting the application.

The most significant thing changing is prices - hotel prices seem to have trebled in the past 18 months, in response to a surge in demand since the government relaxation started. Another consequence of that is a shortage of available accommodation in some places - the provision of new rooms is not keeping pace with the growth in visitors. Because of that we've booked the first few nights so that we have some time to get the feel of things locally.

All of that is just admin though - the main thing is that the country seems stuffed full of great places to visit. The problem is going to be to fit them in to the time available.

As it's our first visit we're probably going to stick to the main destinations, but it will be good to get off the beaten track occasionally if we can. Transport seems to be quite slow - roads are not great - so we won't know until we get there what is going to be doable.

Broadly, the plan is to fly to Bangkok and then on to Yangon/Rangoon. Then a few days in the southeast province and back to Yangon for a flight to Inle Lake. Then Mandalay and Bagan and then play it by ear.