BURMA
Essential Information
Capital: Yangon
Area: 678,500 sq km
Population: 47.7 million
Religion: 90% Theravada Buddhist
Languages: Burmese, with some English spoken in the cities
Time: +6.5 hours (GMT)
When to go
Burma has three distinct seasons, with the dry and cool winter months from November to March being the best time for most of the country. Temperatures start to rise in early March and it can get up to 40 degrees in Yangon, remaining this way until the rains start in May and last until October. The dry zones of Mandalay and upper central Burma can still be visited during the months of July to September. March through to May is a good time to visit the hill stations of the Shan State and the Rakhine State coast.
Getting there
No direct flights are available from UK. Some of the best options are on Thai Airways via Bangkok to
Yangon, Qatar Airways via Doha, Singapore Airlines via Singapore and Malaysia Airlines via Kuala
Lumpur.
Internal Travel
Air Travel
A good air network exists between the major towns in Burma. Internal flights though are still erratic and schedules get changed or cancelled often.
Rail Travel
The rail network is limited with long delays frequent, not recommended for comfortable travel.
Boat Travel
Short and Long cruises are available on the mighty Ayeyarwaddy between Bagan and Mandalay or up to Bhamo on the delightful Pandaw cruises and the luxury ‘Road to Mandalay’.
Road Travel
Road travel in Burma is a good way to see the countryside but the road conditions outside the main tourist areas are poor. Private travel is usually by air-conditioned Toyota saloon cars or similar which can comfortably seat three plus the driver. For a larger group Toyota minivans are used which can seat five plus the driver.
INDONESIA
Essential Information
Capital: Jakarta
Area: 1.9 million square kilometres
Population: 237 million
Religions: Muslim (86%), Christian (9%), Hindu (2%), Others (3%)
Languages: Bahasa Indonesian, some English is spoken in the tourist areas
Time: The Indonesian archipelago is divided into three times zones:
Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan Barat and Kalimantan Tengah + 7hrs (GMT)
Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara islands, Sulawesi and South and East Kalimantan + 8hrs (GMT)
Irian Jaya + 9hrs (GMT)
When to go
Indonesia has two seasons: the dry from May to October and the wet from November to March. There are occasional showers during the transitional periods and the average temperature varies between 21C and 33C. In general the best time to visit is the dry season.
Getting there
Indirect flights are available on Thai International, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian
Airlines and Sri Lankan airlines, among others. From the UK, flights into Jakarta and Bali take about
17hrs including transit
Internal Travel
Air Travel
The main tourist towns and islands in Indonesia are well connected by air.
Boat Travel
Cruises are available on the Komodo Shalom or Ombak Putih, a modern yet traditionally designed and built Buginese schooner to the Komodo Islands. An island cruise is also available on the modern Baruna Explorer.
Rail Travel
Rail travel is possible in Indonesia, although not of the standard seen in more developed nations. As road travel is relatively easy and convenient we would recommend train travel only for enthusiasts.
Road Travel
Road conditions are generally good and allow a good exploration of the countryside. Private road travel is by car or minivan. The car used is generally a spacious Toyota Innova, seating three plus the driver comfortably. For parties of 3 or 4 a bigger vehicle is used, usually the Mitsubishi Van, which can seat five plus the driver.
MALAYSIA
Essential Information
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Area: 329,750 sq km
Population: 25.3 million
Religion: 60% Muslim, 19% Buddhist, 9% Christian, 6% Hindu, 6% Others
Languages: Bahasa Melayu, though English is widely understood in all but the remote areas
Time difference: + 8 hours (GMT)
When to go
Malaysia can be visited all year around. It is hot and humid throughout the year with temperatures on the lowlands hovering around 30 ºC. Rainfall is generally brief but heavy, though the monsoon brings prolonged downpours to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the northeastern part of Sabah and the western end of Sarawak from November to February. The best time to see sea turtles on the east coast is between May and September.
Getting to Malaysia
Malaysian Airlines fly direct from the UK to Kuala Lumpur with a flight time of 12-13 hours. Indirect
flights are also available on airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Thai and Emirates.
Internal Travel
Air Travel
Malaysia has a very efficient air network and most of the popular tourist destinations, including the beach resorts, are well connected by air.
Rail Travel
A good and reasonably comfortable rail system exists with trains running to Singapore and Thailand. The Eastern and Oriental Express, a luxury train service modelled after the famous Orient Express is also available.
Boat Travel
Ferries run between the mainland and islands such as Langkawi, Perhentian Islands and Redang. River journeys are also available in Borneo.
Road Travel
Road travel is recommended as much of Malaysia has excellent roads. Private road travel is by car or minivan. The car used is generally a spacious Toyota sedan, seating three plus the driver comfortably. For parties of 3 or 4 a bigger vehicle is used, usually the Hi Ace Van, which can seat five plus the driver.
THAILAND
Essential Information
Capital: Bangkok
Area: 514,000 sq km
Population: 65.5 million
Religion: 95% Theravada Buddhist
Languages: Thai, with a little English spoken in the cities
Time: +7 hours (GMT)
When to Go
Northern Thailand follows a three-season pattern with dry and cool weather from November to March, hot weather from April to June and rains from July to October. The southern parts of Thailand have further rains from November to January. Overall the best time to visit is from November to March. However, April to November is a good time to visit the eastern coast and Koh Samui as they receive very little rain when the western coast is experiencing the monsoon.
Getting there
Thai Airways International and British Airways operate daily flights direct to Bangkok with a flight time
of about 12 hours. Eva Air also has direct flights while other airlines like Qatar, KLM and Emirates fly
via Doha, Amsterdam and Dubai respectively.
Internal Travel
Air Travel
Most of the popular tourist destinations, including the beach resorts, are well connected by air.
Rail Travel
A good and reasonably comfortable rail system exists in most of Thailand, running all the way through to Malaysia. The Eastern and Oriental Express, a luxury train service modelled after the famous Orient Express, is also available with services to Singapore and now to Vientiane.
Boat Travel
Cruising is a popular way of visiting areas around Bangkok such as Ayuthaya and the River Kwai. Overnight cruises are available. Cruising is also available on traditional-style junks around Phuket.
Road Travel
Road travel is recommended as much of Thailand has well maintained roads. Private travel is by Toyota sedan cars which can comfortably seat three plus the driver. For groups of 3 to 4 people, a Toyota Hi-Ace minivan is used which can seat five plus the driver.
