Hitchcock’s The REDBirds
The Idiot’s Guide to Getting a Myanmar Visa
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Yangon, Myanmar
- Ngwe Saung, Myanmar
- Mandalay, Myanmar
- Bagan, Myanmar
- Hong Kong
- Orlando, Florida
I am an idiot when it comes to visas. No matter how much I try to pay attention to the rules, I still end up with visa issues. It happened in Sudan, it happened in China, and it happened in Brazil. So obviously I wasn’t going to let it happen to me for Myanmar. STOP HERE! Before you waste your time reading this, take note that there is a visa on arrival program for Myanmar now which can be done online.Ā If you like torture or overlooking details, then read on for how the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok almost ruined my trip and that of many others. If you want a same day visa and you happen to be in Bangkok then head on over the Myanmar Embassy. All you need to bring is your passport. You don’t need the forms or passport photos or proof of travel. The documents are provided at the scene and there’s even a guy to take your photos. Hypothetically speaking, all you have to do is arrive in the morning and wait in the endless line. Then come back in the afternoon at the designated time to pick up your unimpressive Myanmar visa. Of course it isn’t that simple. First, realize that the embassy is closed on national Thai and Burmese holidays. Next, realize that it is also closed randomly with no prior announcement anywhere. December 19th: Bright And Early We arrived on aĀ Friday, December 19th to go through this arduous process and were excited that there was no line outside the embassy. We soon found out it was because the embassy was closed. We and other angry would-be travelers were frustrated because nothing on the website had warned us of this inconvenience. Furthermore, believing that we had to book an outbound flight to Myanmar, we had a booking from Chiang Mai to Yangon on the 25th. Our plan was to leave to Chiang Rai on Sunday the 21st (which was delayed till the 22nd) then go to Myanmar from there. Rule #1: The website for closings is not to be trusted. No worries we thought. We will return on the 22nd in the AM, pick up our visas in the afternoon then head out via a late train to Chiang Rai. (I’m not using Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai interchangeably. There is a train to Chiang Mai then a bus to Chiang Rai.) Rule #2: Only do an on-site visa application from your departure city. If you’re going to Myanmar via Chiang Mai, do it at the embassy in Chiang Mai. If you are going via Chiang Rai, then go to Chiang Rai first and return to Chiang Mai or Bangkok to do the application. Rule #3: If you are doing an on-site visa application, don’t believe it will be completed the same day even if you weren’t tripped up by Rule #1. If you didn’t follow Rule #2,Ā this may cause you to miss your plane or train. Dec 22nd: Bright And Early We arrive at the embassy. Looks like everyone who was disappointed from Friday and then some are here to wait in this endless line. Dec 22nd: Bright and Still Early The line isn’t moving but the forms are filled out. I scribbled this and that on the form because there’s no reason to go into great detail about who I am and what I do. SCH (Straight Cash Homey) was my employer. Dec 22nd: BrightĀ Waiting in line forever and ever we finally make it inside where we have to wait forever and ever for our number to get called. Dec 22nd:Ā Approaching Noon Success! We have paid for our visa and must return at 330PM to pick them up. Our train to Chiang Mai leaves at 7. Dec 22nd: AfternoonĀ Lunch is served! Dec 22nd: 330PM We return to the embassy promptly and the line is even longer than it was from the morning. The line is split into two: one for Thai Nationals and one for foreigners. The doors are not open. Dec 22nd: 430PM Doors are still not open. No one is moving. Suddenly there’s an announcement. Thai Nationals will receive their passports first. Dec 22nd: 530PM Doors are open, people have been inside for an hour, no one is coming out. Am I crazy? Is there a back door? Panic is setting in. We are not going to get our passports back in time to make the train. At this point, I skip the long line and head inside to see what is going on. Bad news: Everyone is huddled inside. There is no line, there are no counters open, nothing is happening. Dec 22nd:Ā 6PM Some Thai lady is in the front on the phone. I observe her talking simultaneously to an American girl. The American girl is yelled at by a gentlemen. The American girl leaves. Dec 22nd: 6:02PM I approach the same Thai lady and tell her my problems being mindful of the angry gentlemen. I show her my train tickets. She takes my passport receipt and motions for me to step away. Dec 22nd: 6:09PM A few more desperate gazes later, I approach the Thai lady again. She gets back on the phone. She approaches the customer service counter. She retrieves a stack of passports. There are two blue ones on the top. Dec 22nd: 6:09:30PM I take my passport! I thank the lady! I get the hell out of the embassy! We are on our way to Chiang Rai! Dec 22nd: 6:09:35PM Oh shit, I forgot about Bangkok traffic. Tick, tick, tick.Ā We are stuck. Tick, tick, tick.Ā We are stuck. Tick… We are moving! Tick, tick, tick.Ā We are stuck again. After all this are we really going to miss the train? Stop, go, stop, go, go forwards, go backwards, go through side-streets, go to Wall St, back to Main St, no way this is happening. Then when all hope was lost, the taxi driver made a quick maneuver and dropped us right at the train station. Scrambling to figure out which train was ours we asked for directions and were escorted aboard. Moments later we were on our way. The Golden Rule:Ā Don’t rely on me for visa advice unless you are an idiot.
<==Back to Bangkok Travel Guide – Onto Train to Chiang Rai==>
I Love Pho Tees!
Who doesn’t love pho? Each time I go to Vietnam I buy another variation of the classic I Love Pho shirt. Well thanks to Teespring I’m going to love pho some mo’. If you love Pho then click here and check out this fun design.
I’m Leaving Today…
Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today… Leaving NYC that is, if and only if this crazy taxi driver doesn’t kill me first. For those in need of immediate Hotel Reviews on where to stay in New York, here’s a quick summary: Sheraton Times Square: terrible Four Points Soho: recommended Sheraton Tribeca: delightful Le Parker Meridien: When can I move in permanently? Maybe I should’ve used Uber for the first time in life instead of Mr. Yellow Cab, but like my Blackberry, I’m stuck in the past. Till next time New York!
The Burger Joint Le Parker Meridien
This is part of the Trip Report New York, New York, New York (March 2015) which is an SPG tour of 4 NYC hotels I stayed at last time I was in the Big Apple. Note: none compare to the St. Regis New York City.
Yum. Burgers. The Burger Joint Le Parker Meridien is the cure for your NYC blues. Too much partying? Too much wandering? Too much spending? Then check-in to the Le Parker Meridien, use a platinum suite upgrade, and make a call down to The Burger Joint. Sure you can wait in the line that wraps around the hotel lobby but as a guest you have the privilege of placing a carry-out order and returning to the safety of your abode. All that’s left is to find CBS for some March Madness. Burgers. Yum.
I Hate Central Islip
You ever go to Central Islip? You ever hear of it? Neither had I till today when a major oversight in trial preparation had me scrambling to figure out where Central Islip is located. It isn’t in Brooklyn! $230 taxi ride and an hour later than scheduled, I begged the court for mercy for not knowing that there is more than one federal court in the Eastern District of New York. Now I’m on the $12.75 train back to Penn Station lucky to still be a practicing attorney. This is an important lesson for all travelers who do not double-check the name of their departing airport and end up with a lot of stress as they arrive at the wrong terminal (see AirAsia terminal Malaysia). That stress lingers even if you do manage to catch your flight or in this case make a court appearance. Attention to detail is not my strong suit but I hope my error will not become yours. Check and re-check! Central Islip!
Simply The Best: ThePointsOfLife 1 Year Anniversary
It’s official. Today is the one year anniversary of ThePointsOfLife. What started off as a book promotion has turned into a full-time hobby. The necessary thanks for the supporters are in order as is my gratitude for the commentators angry and otherwise who keep me accountable for my posts. While I’ve yet to hit the 10k per day mark for readership, I continue to see growth in the daily numbers so at least I’m not always talking to myself. Thank you very much. Here’s to at least another month of pointless points posts.
St. Patrick’s Excuse
My excuse for not posting yesterday was the day long flight to New York and of course the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. After walking by Irish bar after Irish bar the question I have is whether there are more Irish pubs in NYC or Starbucks. Every place was the official headquarters for St. Patrick’s Day taking away from the charm of the holiday. Even Bud Light changed their bottles to green to commemorate the day. Think about that: it’s worth Bud Light changing its production line in time for a holiday because people buy green. The after effects of my St. Patrick’s outing is this rambling hopefully coherent post. The only regret is not posting this yesterday to maintain my blogging streak. Can anyone guess what celebratory day tomorrow March 19th is?
It’s Up to You New York
Finally, ThePointsOfLife is back a-live. Wow, for a minute I thought I’d never see an airplane again. Bond has been set and I’ve been released on my own recognizance. Next stop, New York City for a few days of SPG stays to get going on requalifying for platinum. This Trip Report called New York, New York, New York is a sampling of various SPG hotels throughout NYC. The trip was supposed to conclude at the critically acclaimed Park Hyatt NYC but their pool is closed. Luckily, its replacement, Le Parker Méridien New York, has its own rooftop pool and a stellar burger joint. Here is the list of the hotels I will be staying at and reviewing one day in the far distant future:
See you tomorrow St. Patrick.Cancelled Park Hyatt New York
I’ve been looking forward to going to the Park Hyatt New York ever since it opened last year. Park Hyatt is one of my favorite hotel brands, so the opportunity to stay at the flagship hotel had my excited. Along with the 20% points promotion rebate for using Gold Passport points, my upcoming stay was going to be perfect. Then I received this email: Thank you for choosing Park Hyatt New York for your upcoming stay. We are delighted to have you joining us. We would like to make you aware that beginning March16 th, 2015 the swimming pool area will be closed for urgent necessary maintenance. The pool is scheduled to re-open March 24th, 2015. Spa Nalai, the fitness center and locker rooms, will remain open and offering a full range of services. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be sure to let us know if there is anything else we may further assist with. We are excited to welcome you and wish you safe travels. For $300 and 15,000 points a night, I want all the amenities to be functional. I’m sure the rooms and service are great but the highlight of of my stay was the pool which somehow already needs ‘urgent necessary maintenance’. So I cancelled. Anyone have an inside guy that know the answer to this mystery?