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27Planning Your TripDon’t Forget» Your visa» All-purpose electrical-plug adapter» Torch (flashlight)» Warm jacket for chilly overnight bus rides» Colour passport photos for permits» Flip flops or sandals» Bug spray»Prescription medicines» Brand-new US dollars»Vaccinations (see p383 )» Short-wave radio for BBC & VOA broadcastsTravel LiteratureThe Trouser People Andrew MarshallFinding George Orwell in Burma Emma LarkinThe Native Tourist Ma ThanegiGolden Earth Norman LewisBurma Chronicles Guy DelisleBad Lands Tony WheelerTravel AdvisoriesAustralia (www.smarttraveller.gov.au)Canada (www.voyage.gc.ca)New Zealand (www.safetravel.govt.nz)UK (www.fco.gov.uk/travel)USA (travel.state.gov/travel)When to GoNovember to February Peak travel seasonOctober and March Shoulder season is alsoworth consideringGetting Your VisaEveryone requires a visa to visit Myanmar –for full details, see p 369 . If you’re applyingfor a tourist visa at home you should startthe process no later than three weeks beforeyour trip, a month before to be safe. Formost people, getting a visa will be a relativelystraightforward process. It’s certainlyfar easier and less costly than the processMyanmar people have to go through to get apassport – see http://tinyurl.com/44b25e2 –let alone a visa for foreign travel!It’s possible to get a tourist visa at theMyanmar Embassy in Bangkok (%662-233-2237; 132 Sathorn Nua Rd) within 24 hoursif you apply in person; the cost for this serviceis 1010 baht.Arranging PermitsThere are large areas of Myanmar that arefirmly off limits, or accessible only with permission.Securing such permission» takes time – a minimum of at least two weeks,but more commonly around a month» requires the help of an experienced travelagency – for a list of reputable Yangon-basedagencies, see p 69» involves paying fees to the government –usually via the government-owned travel agency,MTT, even if you’re dealing with another agency» usually means dancing to the MTT’s tune whenit comes to how you visit the area in question andwho you go with.