Myanmar - Photos

Have uploaded the photos of Myanmar trip to my Travelogue. Click on the flag.

Myanmar - Bagan

The bus trip from Mandalay to Bagan was not so comfortable. Road was mostly unpaved, the air-conditioner was not functioning well, it was hot! The dust gushed in through the wide opened window covered up my face like cosmetic mask, 8 hr journey.

All foreigners have to pay USD10 to enter Bagan, sort of entrance fees to all sites. Traditionally the heart of Bamar culture, Bagan is crammed with more than 4000 red-brick temples. This small town has high concentration of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. The historical and religious rich elements make it probably the touristiest place in Myanmar.

The villagers in Old Bagan were forcibly relocated in 1990 to reserve for archeological zone. The area is largely agricultural plain land, possibly the cleanest I have seen in Myanmar. Different sizes pagoda studded all over the area. Most of them are well maintained, it presents different kind of beauty compared to the ruins in Angkor Wat (Cambodia).

Most of the tourists concentrate on the big pagodas and temples at the central like Ananda, Htilominlo and Dhammayangyi. Instead the further distance Sulamani (has the most beautiful frescoes) and the scenic Pyathada were my favourite. Cycling under the scorching sun to these remote places was tiring but fun.

There are many many more smaller temples with intricate fine colourful murals unknown to the tourists. Many of them are gated and unlit, in order to protect the precious arts from being damaged and exposed to the light (which may fade the colours).

Myanmar – Mandalay

The national security is tight, not sure of local passengers, but the foreign passengers have to register names on bus ticket. While leaving or entering Yangon, all passengers have to pass through a check-point where the identity to be checked. Strong stinky ammonia smell enveloped the area as most of the passengers clear their bladders in the open space.

Comparatively Mandalay offers more sight-seeing than Yangon, though not really spectacular. The Mandalay Palace can be neglected, wild weeds were not cut, layers of dust found their resting place, mostly empty. Mandalay Hill was better, ascending the staircases was not so tiring, the panoramic view of Mandalay city and sunset was beautiful. The glittering 13ft bronze Buddha image was the highlight in Mahamuni Temple. Over years thousands of devotees (only men are allowed) have pasted 6-in thick layer of gold leaf on the image! I had contributed too.

Mingun can either be reached by boat or 1 hr drive from Mandalay. The unfinished Mingun Paya cracked during earthquake in 1838, leaving probably the world’s largest pile of bricks. The nearby Sagaing Hill was not special, but its higher altitude grants a better aerial view of the area. Plenty of stupas studded over the area. Amarapura was another favourite attraction especially the sunset view. The 200 yr old 1.2km long U-Bein footbridge was built of over 1000 teak posts across the shallow Taungthaman Lake.

The jma-packed jade market is situated in Mandalay, we skipped the USD1 entrance fees (no one asked for it). Traders were busy scrutinizing the quality of stones and gems. Workshops were available to fabricate the products for customers.

The visits to the monasteries and their schools were the most unforgettable, that I liked most. Through conversation with the monks, I understood better the monkshood, their backgrounds, difficulties and predicaments, their future and expectation, their disciplined simple lifestyle and peaceful ideology. We were invited to their English lesson, where foreigners are encouraged to interact with them, to practice verbally.

The Moustache Brothers show (USD8), famed for its political critics was truly disappointing, thought Lonely Planet gave a lengthy recommendation was worthwhile, it was a cultural dancing show instead largely. The act was not professional but quite a mix. The emcee was trying hard to be humorous but over superficial. Sound system was weak. Place was run down, eventually turned out to be a souvenir selling at the end of show.

Myanmar – Yangon

The newly implemented Visa On Arrival (VOA) regulation attract many tourists flocking into this long self isolated country. Yangon airport was quite modern, but the atmosphere seemed a little rigid and cold. The procedure consumed an hour, surprisingly the local passport holders needed longer time to get through immigration. The officers were super friendly!

The capital Yangon looks like Kuala Lumpur in 70’s. In downtown, 100 year-old buildings can be seen standing solidly, lots of street hawkers and vendors lined up the main streets, English is fairly popular, most of the vehicles are old (no motorbike is allowed in this capital), taxi is quite expensive, buses are always in rush and heavily packed.

There are only a handful of tourist attractions in Yangon. Shwedagon Pegoda is the only “qualified” spot I had visited. The glimmering golden stupa is particularly beautiful in the evening under the spotlights. The nearby Thanlyin and Kyauktan were not spectacular, but good to kill time.

The traditional Burmese food is not my type, fermented and sour taste couldn’t please my taste buds. The Shan food which is closer to Chinese cuisine is my favourite. Lots of consumables are imported from the neighbouring countries. A can of Coca-Cola costs USD0.70, but the local Star Cola (quite similar taste) costs USD0.20.

Myanmar produce world class gems, but the export was restricted due to international sanctions. The Ruby is said the top quality in the world. It’s fun to learn how to differentiate the quality, but the price tags are not cheap. A tiny bead of top class Star Ruby could cost tens of thousands dollars.

People are generally afraid to criticize the junta government publicly, too many spies are around, rumours said. A monk initiated political talk with me, I avoided it to prevent any unnecessary trouble.

I met a lady in Bogyoke market wearing bracelet and pendant fully studded with diamonds. The bracelet alone costs USD10000. Asked if she is afraid of being rob, she replied no such case in Yangon. wow... this country is safer then ours.

Myanmar Trip

Just came back from Myanmar for 2 weeks visit. The country is seeing influx of foreign tourists lately. It was interesting to visit this self isolated country. Bagan is definitely the jewel of all the tourist spots, rest are not really spectacular. What I enjoyed was the interaction with local people.

Quick Facts

- USD is the most popular and accepted foreign currency. Exchange rate is approx. USD1=Myanmar Kyat 1000. Strictly instructed by Myanmar Central Bank, only the crisp clean USD bills are accepted. Any old, slightly torn, marked or rumpled bills would be rejected.

- The ordinary worker earns USD30 / month but the living costs are quite high, e.g. normal meal in the restaurants USD 1-2.

- Power failure is quite common throughout the country. Many hotel operators have generator installed.

- The vehicle fuel is rationed, but far too less. People have to source from black market which costs 25% higher. Gas filling stations are rarely seen in the city.

- The internet is heavily controlled/ filtered, many webpages are inaccessible. Internet café charge USD 0.40 – 1.00 per hr. Speed was slow.

- Lots of lots of pagodas, stupas in the country.

- People are mostly genuinely friendly. I had been asked “Where are you from?” not less than 50 times a day!

- Many part time guides and vendors gathered at tourist sites offering their service and products.

- Some people asked for different country notes/ coins as “souvenir”. Instead they will exchange with other tourists later. It’s a tourist scam.

- Some vendors asked me to trade my watch with their products, they thought I have a cheap fake watch?

- When renting bicycle, no one asked for deposit or document. They trust all people would return to them.

- Double pricing system are widely practiced on foreigners, e.g. entrance fees for sight seeing, transportation (but not the food).

Casino vs. McD

Went to the one and only licensed Casino - Genting Malaysia on Saturday late night with friends. My last visit was 11 years ago. Was crowded with gamblers and fortune pursuers. Stacks of colourful chips were placed on the table, voices of cursing surmounted the cheerful acclaims, solemn disappointed expression was hanged on many faces, nauseated cigarette smoke and smell filled the poorly ventilated hall.

Don’t like gambling, don’t like the feeling of losing my hard-earn money. I lost EUR10!!! You know how much it is? I could buy 6.5 sets of McDonald’s lunch time value meal. It means 6.5 cups of cokes, 6.5 packs of fries and 6.5 McChicken!!! Well, you should know that Malaysia has the cheapest McD in the world.

Myanmar

Finally, has purchased the ticket to Myanmar… only 2 weeks, will depart on Fri. I think should be sufficient to scratch the surface of this mysterious land. International sanctions have been imposed heavily over the notorious tyranny government and humanitarian records. It must be interesting to unveil the truth and discover the yet unspoiled culture.

Where To Travel Next

Thinking now... where to travel next? North China, Nepal, Taiwan or Bali???

Home Sweet Home

So relax, so cozy to stay at home…eating, eating, eating, torturing my stomach to the limit :)

Have visited a few houses lately, thinking of shifting out in the next months. The landed properties prices have escalated in the speed of supersonic. Initially I thought the idea of getting a bank loan was stupid, I was wrong, the house value appreciates way too fast. I should have bought a house a few years back.

The new houses within city precinct are getting bigger and more luxurious. Wondering if there are so many hidden millionaires in Malaysia or these are acts of speculations? The houses recently visited all have 3 storey, with built up area of 250-400m2!

I will start looking for condominiums, though this is not my preference but I have to compromise with various factors i.e. location, budget, built-up area, facilities etc. This is no easy task.

Farewell

Had farewell dinners with colleagues and friends almost daily in the past week. Appreciate the friends I met here, a good memory to carry back home. 4 days left! Glad to leave this project, never I had worked in such chaotic situation. Looking back, it is somehow a precious experience (though not pleasant) about dealing with people and office politics. I learn better how to do organize my work next.

路遥知马力

当逆境涌现时，这时才了解合作了十数载的同事的第二重性格。矛头指向别人的错却对自身的弱点加以掩饰辩驳，你认为是对的想法未必能信服他人。既然对工作的热忱已流失，何必留恋？

Death of EURO?

Recently many European countries introduced austerity measures to curb the deficit. More and more opinions suggest Greece would default their debts and leave EURO zone, Spain and Portugal’s prospect look grim too. The weary economy is devastating.

Germany and France taxpayers definitely wouldn’t be pleased to see their hard earn money go to other people’s pocket. I guess not long from now the voices of re-introducing German Mark and French Franc will start echoing.

FIFA World Cup Fever

Soccer is not my sport, this World Cup doesn’t trigger my mood either. People exclaimed the spectacular opening ceremony worth to see… do you really think it was great? I mean compared to Beijing’s Olympic opening ceremony, hmm… The performance of R.Kelly made me sick. There are so many talented African singers in the world, why him? He was accused of having sexual relationship with the minors and was arrested on child pornography charges, though were all dropped eventually. I don’t believe he is clean. Why the organizer picked a “mental unhealthy” artist to perform in this sport event?

When he sings “I believe I can fly” probably he really thinks he is above the law?

Cost Saving Haven

The highly qualified yet low labour cost factors in China have had become the investment magnet in the past decade. The recent salary adjustment announcement of Honda (+24%) indicated that the workforce/ union is gaining strength. Foxconn’s 12 suicide cases though are irrelevant to the union strike, the boss has promised +20% raise to the workers. This precedence will ripple immensely in China. The immediate impact would trigger living costs and inflation jump high. Let’s see what the government would do next.

Meanwhile, under the global pressure and accusation of manipulating the RMB, China government is expected to appreciate the currency soon.

The soaring production cost is reducing China competition. Could be a good news to other countries, though I doubt the gap would be reduced significantly.

EURO Crisis

The EURO has dipped 20% against USD in just 2 mths. What a sad thing… seems like my salary and saving are slashed 20% if converted to Malaysian Ringgit. The tumbling of PIIGS has dragged the whole EU down. Germany and France have to blurt out astronomical figures to try salvaging the crisis, it pissed off many taxpayers. Now who can say the idea of regional single currency is invincible?

Middle East countries have idea to implement similar single currency policy. I reckon the crisis keeps them back-off now.

为难

一，终于爆发了，早已预计有此一日。虽然不至于手足无措，但迫不得已还被牵连在内，很讨厌也很无奈。想袖手旁观但会伤害十多年的感情，很矛盾。下周一将会有个定断。

二，与一印度公司商谈合作事宜，双方僵持不下。印人出名难搞只推搪责任。既然你不给与合作，我亦无谓为你操心。反正我已对此项目彻底失望。

Financial Regulatory

German Chancellor’s ban on the naked sell came unexpectedly, stirring panic in the European market, worrying any uncertain subsequences may follow. The motion was to curb the speculation during financial turbulence. Many hedge funds expressed their disapproval, saying the short selling is not as serious as people thought, of course they voiced out from their own interest.

This ban should have been imposed long time ago. The speculators abuse it as gambling tools to generate fortune. The ordinary investors are forced to pick up the consequences. The ban wouldn’t be much effective if other major stock markets do not implement the similar measure.

倒数

同事们都定了六月末回国的机票，归心似箭的气氛骤然而生。一种对工作自发的投入感仿佛在同事间逐渐流失，可能大家已厌倦亦了解无法改变累人的政治纠纷。无论如何我还会尽己责至最后一个工作日，之后的工作让别人善后。

倒数回家的日子开始了。

DOW Plummet

8:45pm local time, within 5 minutes! Yes! within 5 minutes! I was watching the Dow Jones Index plummeting from losing 200pt to almost 1000pt and breached the 10,000 level! The market was irrational PANIC! Miracle happened at this moment, the index rebounded swiftly right after. There must be interference from powerful institutions at this critical moment, triggering appropriate mechanism to calm the fear.

I guess the fall will continue unless the Greece Debt crisis comes up with a win-win solution. Probably Greece is too clever (cunning) to balloon up the problem to force EU and the world to salvage their crisis.

My Mood

It’s raining outside…
Like to see the impenetrable thick dark clouds hanging low under the sky, shielding the mountain top.
Like to hear the tinkling raindrops splashing on the ground.
Like the colour of rain-soaked green leafs , it’s soothing but not able to rejuvenate my mood.

Greece Debt Crisis

Eventually Greece has agreed to a bailout deal With EU and IMF. Have expected so, Germany wouldn’t let Greece collapsed or indirectly they’re declaring the death of EURO. The opposition to lend a hand to Greece was loud, over the fact that this EU member has not been abiding the rules and seriously corrupted. They would rather see Greece stepping out from EURO zone, would be good to both EURO and Greece himself, though this will depreciate EURO significantly in short term.

Greek Prime Minister said he would do anything to avoid the country going bankrupt. He urged Greeks to accept “great sacrifices.” The recently amended law allows Greece citizen to retire at as early as 50/55 yr old, with 80% monthly salary for 36 yrs. I don’t have to be an economist to tell this shit policy will bring the country economy to hell. Stern austerity measures must be enforced – to extend retirement age, raising VAT to 23%, freezing salary etc. Meanwhile lots of Greeks complained the 5% interest rate of the EU bailout is far too high. What do you want? There is no free lunch my dear.

Meanwhile Spain’s unemployment has reached the alerting 20%! Another bomb would be detonated anytime. The economy of Spain is the 4th largest in the EURO zone. The bailout would be much more costly than Greece. Hard to believe Europe economy is recovering yet.

First of May

First of May, known as Labour Day in many countries. What does this day celebrate? The labour market is cruelly competitive. Lower class labours struggle to meet the very basic needs of daily life, while higher management manipulates politics to seize power and fortune.

The longer I stay in this country, I realize better the general capability and capacity of labour market here. Qualified personnel and skilled manpower are hard to obtain. My director said I had set the standard too high. Maybe he was right, I shouldn’t compare the standard at par with Asian markets.

破镜重圆

某人酒后吐真言或是借酒行凶不重要，反正已将呈现裂痕的镜子狠狠地敲碎。很不舒服，根刺难以再拔除。破镜无论如何重圆始终会将倒影瓜分。天下无不散的筵席，迟早的事宜。我想续约的决定可能已是个错误。

Next Job

Have extended 2 months contract for the on-going projects till end Jun-10. All of us most likely will leave this country for good thereafter. Colleagues start looking for new job, wherever it will be as long as conditions are right.

I receive an offer, but it is still in the initial negotiation stage. The job site is in South East Asia, will be kicked-off very soon. Which means immediate transfer is requested if I’d be employed (my conditions seem too costly for them). Instead I plan/ wish to have a few months rest in between jobs.

Meanwhile, a friend in Australia invites me to start a restaurant business in Sydney. Sounds not bad… I like the city, but I have zero experience in this field. For future and longer term planning, it might be a good move. On the other hand, the working hours are long and the freedom will be very much restricted. Am thinking, do I really have to start from zero again? After all these whiles working in the projects, I can’t imagine if this new business would suit me.

Still too early to decide…

South & North Korea Conflict, what next?

A South Korean’s navy ship sank at the disputed water at Yellow Sea last month, heighten the tense relationship between the North and South Korea. 46 sailors on boards were killed. Case is being investigated, alleged torpedo assault from North Korean’s submarine. Pyongyang has denied involvement.

Let’s speculate, what if Pyongyang tells lie, South Korean’s immediate military revenge would probably be activated though some analysts bet otherwise saying that South Korea can’t afford to harm the export driven economy. US and Europe for sure would standby Seoul. A good excuse to eliminate the nuclear facility in North Korea, and to emancipate the long suppressed communism in the name of humanitarian.

I guess Pyongyang’s traditional ally, China would try to dissolve the dispute peacefully and prevent possibility of war eruption. The main reasons would probably be shunning off US influence in the region, or maybe keeping North Korea to counterbalance the power of Japan and South Korea. For whatever reason it might be, Beijing can’t provide backup officially.

Leçon de Français

Franchement, je suis tout à fait profiter de la classe de français mais parfois je me sentais la pression d'apprendre une nouvelle langue. Mais il est bon de sortir plus tôt du bureau des œuvres. Après 2 mois, j'ai réussi à comprendre quelques phrases simples et le libellé. Pendant la lecture d'articles en français, il m'aide à comprendre plus facilement. Cela me fait sentir l'effort vaut la peine. Cependant, je dois admettre que cette langue est vraiment compliqué. Pas étonnant qu'il ne pouvait pas être la langue la plus populaire au monde.

Outre de celui-ci, il est agréable de rencontrer d'autres étudiants à travers le monde que je suis l'aîné. Ils sont si polis qu'ils ne m'appelle pas «mon oncle».

(Traduit par Google)

Bangkok Riot

The month-long “Red Shirts” protest has eventually turned riot on Saturday. The supporters of the exiled ex-Prime Minister Thaksin stormed the parliament and several governmental buildings earlier demanding resignation of present Prime Minister Abhisit and re-election. The government declared state of emergency on 07-Apr, and deployed tactics to dismiss the crowds. When the dispute heated up, violence followed.

People’s power is forceful, but could be ruined by a handful of people who has other intention. Who knows the terrorists in the southern Thailand are taking chance to mess up the situation to achieve their own goals? Who knows there are huge mobs waiting to loot the banks and shops?

The persisting tabulating political situation has tarnished the confidence of investors and tourists. If “Red Shirts” would win from this protest, you can’t be sure the equally strong opposition “Yellow Shirts” would organize the similar protest again to fight for their interest.

Just Do It!

Sports news is focusing on the return of Tiger Woods on the green course. Why people is so curious about his affair. This is his own business, why public keeps biting his tail? With his fortune nowadays, he can easily laugh it off. Well, I guess somehow he must bow to his sponsors who keep stuffing chunk of greenbacks into his pockets.

Nike must be glad to have Tiger as their brand spokesman. If you have balls, Just do it!

I Slipped My Tongue

It’s public holiday today in Rwanda, commemorating 1994 genocide.

Yesterday evening, as usual, while saying goodbye to a local colleague, I added “Enjoy your holiday!” He walked out from my room and returned after 5 seconds, said, “I can’t enjoy this holiday.” Oppss… I realized immediately I said something wrong and apologized to him. People is reluctant to recall and talk about this gory incident. Too many sad stories 16 years ago and they are trying hard to forget the past but time is too short to bleach the memory.

Buying House

Sis has made up her mind, with the nod of mom, to look for a new house in KL. She asks me to share buying a new unit, of course I would contribute the bigger part.

She has been searching around for a month, considering factors of convenience, safety, low density, a landed properties etc, in KL, this wouldn’t come cheaper than 200TEUR. I realize that if we don’t buy it now, the price would be rocketing beyond the pace of salary increment and inflation. On the other hand I do not wish to apply hefty loan as I always oppose to “work” for the bank by paying the high interest of 6%-7%.

This would be the main task after finishing my work in Rwanda.