dear carma
we are preparing for our second trip to Myanmar.Your story was exactly as we found it.We did not use a tour company but just landed there unannounced and caught a cab to the Savoy hotel The driver then became our driver on a daily rate while in Yangon.We used internal flights to get around travelling only to Bagan.
Not being able to use a credit card posed a few problems ,not to mention the anxiety of carrying enough cash to purchase airline tickets and pay hotel bills,but one thing is for certain law and order is not a problem and the people and their culture are fascinating.we walked through the capital late at night with no fear.We are travelling from Ha Noi but cannoy fly direct as that route has not been opened yet and after a coulple of days in Ynagon will go to Inle Lake .
Al the travel books suggest the Bogyoke Aung San Market is great shopping.They are not wrong!!
Having lived and worked in PNG for many years and travelled well throughout Asia Myanmar is a welcome change

Sunday, August 30, 2009, a delighful young woman spoke to our adult class on her recent trip to Myanmar where she basically went it alone. She felt quite safe. She spoke of a personal emotional experience in one of less visited temples. Her money went farther there. But schedules regarding times of arrival were often laughable: three hours becoming eight hours, for example. She traveled the full length and breadth. Awareness but no problem with the military (had to check her passport for a 24 hour restricted visit to one area. Her name is Allyson and my granddaughter is named Allyson. I couldn't help but wonder if my Allyson might make such a trip with pack on her back in the future.