INTRODUCTION & GOOGLE MAPS ROUTE

The route planned is here

INTRODUCTION

There is no denying it..this trip was not borne out of an alcohol fuelled debate nor was it a result of a lifetime of aspirations, Burma was on Janettes' bucket list and it seemed a shame not to throw in a few more countries whilst we were passing.
Janette, Steve, Mandy and Paul are next on to the part of the world where relatively few have explored, Burma or Mayanmar as it is now officially called.

Burma is a real travel prize and especially before it gets spoilt with new hotels and trappings of developed countries like many parts of Indochina. This is a country that is still devoid of technology with no mobile phone network and hardly any internet availability. Poor roads and airlines that can change their routing mid flight are just a few of the problems that will challenge us.

Its hard to manage a countyy that is still so very under developed nestling in-between is more developed neighbours and that is the appeal...not corrupted by mass tourism, no social media and still a country that is emerging form a strict military control due in the large part by the braveness and tenacity of Aung San Suu Kyi who remailed under house arrest for 15 years for attempting to bring democracy and freedom from military rule to Burma. It is hard to imagine now that Burma (or Mayanmar) was under siege of war until only 1998 and so this is truly a country that has just been born.

In addition to Burma, we are going to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, a trip that will last over 40 days in total and for the first time in our lives, will involve us being away for Christmas and New Year. Departing on December 6th and starting in Bangkok, our route will send us across the continent using planes, cars, drivers with guides, balloons and boats with the aim to meet as many locals, see as many places and enjoy as many cultures as we can.