Blogs from Myitkyina, Northern Burma, Burma, Asia

My first exposure to Burmese food was some years ago when our Burmese language teacher at Chulalongkorn University, Ms. Kitty, would invite us out for some curry and noodles at a small restaurant near her apartment in the Ramkhamahaeng University area of Bangkok. Outside of that, the only time I have ever been to another Burmese restaurant was in Chiang Mai and in Boston. Neither of these did much to illuminate the mystery of what exactly makes up the food of Myanmar. Since then, I have realized that Burmese food may or may not be the same thing as Myanmar Cuisine, as I like to call it. Many people when referring to Burmese food think of rice and curry or mohinga noodles or perhaps tea and crispies. Though rice and curry is a very traditional meal ... read more

Thailand only gives a 30 day visa on entry. If you want to stay longer you go on a visa run that involves entering another country before reentering Thailand with a fresh stamp. We went to Myanmar, formerly Burma. After getting the night ferry from Ko Tao to Chumpon, straight on a bus to Ranong, we were ready to Visa run. A short boat trip from Ranong to Kawthaung and we were in Myanmar. Not for long: straaight back on the boat nad we were back in Thailand. I know there was no real need to tell you all about this, but now Myanmar is shaded on my coutries visited map and it will complete all the SE Asian countries. So it was back on the boat and down to Phuket (Khoa San by the beach) ... read more