| Gay Vacation Tips for Burma |
| Written by Howie Holben |
| Monday, 28 September 2009 14:22 |
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Burma, currently called Myanmar under its military government, is a nation that boasts tropical beaches, meandering rivers, golden pagodas and a devout Buddhist tradition that permeates every aspect of life. With its many beautiful and important cultural and historical sites, and its central location with nearby India, China and Thailand close at hand, Burma is a worthwhile addition to a Southeast Asia tour, or a perfect choice for a gay travel destination.
Burma, currently called Myanmar under its military government, is a nation that boasts tropical beaches, meandering rivers, golden pagodas and a devout Buddhist tradition that permeates every aspect of life. With its many beautiful and important cultural and historical sites, and its central location with nearby India, China and Thailand close at hand, Burma is a worthwhile addition to a Southeast Asia tour, or a perfect choice for a gay travel destination. While Burma may not be the first place that comes to mind for a gay vacation, particularly with the distinct lack of a visible LGBT community or culture, this country that has retained much of its old-world charm and is steeped in culture, tradition and spirituality is the perfect place for a spiritual renewal or awakening. Burma is very affordable to visit and is one of the few places where foreigners can experience a lifestyle that has changed little in the last 100 years. Traveling in Burma on a solo gay vacation is not impossible, but it is a bit tricky. Choosing to take part in a gay travel tour is a better option for experiencing all that Burma has to offer without the issues involved in attempting to navigate through the difficulties of traveling in Burma while it is under harsh military rule. The particulars of visiting Burma include determining which borders are open to foreigners, which areas are open to visitors, how to navigate getting cash and exchanging money when there are no ATMs for foreigners to use, very limited acceptance of debit and credit cards and official money exchangers referring travelers to the black market for better exchange rates. These are just a few of the issues that travelers will face when visiting Burma on their own, which is why tour groups that offer gay vacations to Burma with a seasoned guide are the obvious choice for experiencing Burma successfully and without unnecessary hassles. On a Burma gay vacation you will have the opportunity to meander through village markets in search of handmade textiles and crafts, visit with locals clad in traditional clothing and make-up, take a river cruise down the Irrawaddy, hike through forested mountains, relax on tropical beaches or the shores of Inle Lake, and gaze in amazement at the Shwedagon Pagoda. Those who choose to travel to Burma for gay vacations will find Burma one of the safest places to travel in the world, and will be welcomed by the warm, accepting residents. Whether trekking through the streets of Yangon or Mandalay, or standing in awe of Mount Popa and the 4,000 sacred stupas of Bagan, gay travel in Burma can be a life-changing experience that will make memories to last a lifetime and instill a deep desire for many returns to this beautiful, spiritual land. About the Author: The author of this article about gay tours to Burma is Howie Holben. He operates Spirit Journeys, a spiritually based gay travel firm. Spirit Journeys has offered spiritual gay tours with a difference since 1992. You can learn more at www.spiritjourneys.com. |