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Burma Travel Blogs

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and is currently under house arrest. In December 2004, the junta announced it was extending her detention for at least an additional year. Her supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed. To be updated

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By Jack Kerouac
June 12th 2009

The Road to Namhsan Asia » Burma » Hsipaw

The Road to Namhsan

Nils und ich, als letzte uebrig gebliebene unserer kleinen Crew entschlossen uns nach Namhsan in den Bergen zu stoppen. Angeblich 6-12 Stunden mit dem Bus, abhaengig von Wetter, dem Bus und Glueck. Klang sehr abenteuerlich, also los. Nach drei Stunden am Rand der Strasse nach Namhsan gaben wir auf, da in diesen drei Stunden gerade mal vier (4!) Autos vorbeikamen. Wir machten uns auf den Weg zurueck ins Guesthouse und chillten. Nachmittags wurde Nils krank, hat wohl was schlechtes gegessen. Kann in Burma leider recht einfach passieren. Nun war ich also der Einzige auf dem Weg nach Namshan. D [View Full Entry]

zuerst noch recht ordentlich und geteert...

By wheresdave
June 11th 2009

kyaing tong (kyainge tong, keng tong, chiang tung)- the best kept secret? Asia » Burma

burma0906050050

What's the "best" city in South East Asia to visit if you only have a few days? Well for me it has been Kwaing Tong ( also spelled (Chiang Tung and Keng Tong) for the following reasons: extremely friendly people (Shan), no or very few tourists so you still get a "real" experience, and great photo opportunities. Most travelers haven't heard of Chiang Tung so where is it? - Myanmar (ie Burma). I won't talk about politics or the military, just the great Shan people that I met. Since some travelers may be reading this to learn about Chiang Tung I'll [View Full Entry]

By geoffandmazi
June 10th 2009

Sagaing life and teaching Asia » Burma

Sagaing 007

We went back to Sagaing (Sa Gai) for a different kind of experience, to teach English on the suggestion of our driver from Mandalay. We visited the school on our original trip to Sagaing and learned that nine monks had started the school which teaches primary and high school. The students are mainly local children and young monks living in a nearby monastery. Some of the students are from other provinces of Myanmar. The curriculum includes Buddhist Scripture, meditation, language (Burmese, English, and Japanese, and Chinese), mathematics and science and basic computer skills (typing in English [View Full Entry]

By Jack Kerouac
June 10th 2009

Treking, Tubing, and Relaxing in Hsipaw Asia » Burma » Hsipaw

Free Falling

Mein naechster Stop in Myanmar sollte Hsipaw sein. Hsipaw liegt im Norther Shan State, das Volk der Shan macht ungefaehr fuenf Mio. Einwohner aus. Gesprochen wird Shan, was dem Thailaendischen sehr aehnlich ist und Birmesisch. Sie stellen eine der groessten Minderheiten im von den Birmesen dominierten Myanmar dar. 1962 stuerzte der Myanmar-weit verhasste General Ne Win (unter den Locals verhasst) gewaltsam die demokratisch gewaehlte Shan Regierung. Seit Jahrzehnten kaempfen die Shan in einem Guerilla-Krieg gegen die Armee. Shan-Doerfer wurden regelmaessig gebrandschatzt, niedergebrannt, die Ei [View Full Entry]

das Fussbaldfeld muss man sich hier mit Kuehen teilen

By Jack Kerouac
June 5th 2009

Mandalay, Amarapura, and the Moustache Brothers Asia » Burma » Mandalay

Fuenf junge Novizen

In Mandalay angekommen nahmen Devon, Jeanelle und ich erst einmal eines der allgegenwaertigen Blue Taxis, ein umgebauter Mini-Pickup. Auf Empfehlung von Frederic quartierten wir uns im Royal Guesthouse ein, das ein nettes Flair hat, obwohl es recht beengt zugeht. Die Strasse davor wurde gegenwaertig neu gebaut. Und das heisst hier pure Muskelkraft: Mit Ausnahme einer Dampfwalze nur Handarbeit, sogar Grossteils von Frauen. Waere es nicht mitten in Mandalay und direkt vor dem beliebtesten Backpacker-Guesthouse, koennte man meinen es waere Sklavenarbeit. Grosse Steine werden per LKW angeliefert, [View Full Entry]

Blue Taxi von der Bus Station in die Innenstadt

By geoffandmazi
June 4th 2009

Pyin U Lin Asia » Burma » Pyin U Lwin

Pyin U Lin 004

Almost immediately after arriving in Pyin U Lin we got sick so we ended up staying six days resting. Because it was several thousand metres above the plateau where Mandalay is, it was much cooler and less dusty. The temperature was a lot more enjoyable. There are a few hidden gems in Pyin U Lin. Meaning yummy delights! We found an Indian restaurant called "Family Restaurant" which served really good vegetarian platters with chipati and also a bakery recommended by the lonely planet called the "Golden Triangle" with really good cheese croissants and coffee. The night market has a lot of [View Full Entry]

By Jack Kerouac
June 4th 2009

Pagoda Hopping in Bagan Asia » Burma » Bagan

Pagodas of Bagan

Zusammen mit Devon and Jeanelle habe ich mich nach dem Park auf den Weg nach Bagan gemacht. 16 Stunden Busfahrt sollten vor uns liegen, Abfahrt um 15 Uhr. Nach einer Stunde ist die Air-Con ausgefallen und wir haben am Strassenrand fuer ne halbe Stunde gehalten, doch es war anscheinend nichts zu machen. Also alle Fenster auf und weiter. Die ersten Stunden ging es ueber einen erstaunlich guten "Highway" nach Norden, um 22 Uhr gab es unterwegs irgendwo was zu essen, was beschraenkt gut geschmeckt hat. Ab da wurde die Fahrt dann zum Horrortrip. Die Sitze waren zu klein, der Mittelgang mit [View Full Entry]

Blick von der Dachterasse unseres Guesthouses

By Jack Kerouac
May 31st 2009

Around Rangoon Asia » Burma » Yangon

Neugierige Kids im Dorf

Trotz regnerischer Witterung bin ich zusammen mit Min Thu, der mich schon durch Rangun gefuehrt hat, zu einem Dorf ausserhalb von Rangun in Richtung Ayerwadi-Delta gefahren. Dazu bedarf es einer Erlaubnis des Office of Tourism, die jedoch innerhalb von fuenf Minuten kostenlos erledigt war. Mit der Faehre ging es ueber den Yangon River, fuer Einheimische kostet die Ueberfahrt 100 Kyat, fuer Touris 1000 Kyat. Allgemein gelten sehr oft verschiedene Preise fuer Touris und Einheimische, vor allem bei oeffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln und Eintrittsgeldern. Dann gings weiter mit einem Share-Taxi u [View Full Entry]

Alle lauschen gespannt meinen Erzaehlungen

By geoffandmazi
May 29th 2009

Mandalay and Area Trip Asia » Burma » Mandalay

Mandalay 2 001

The progression of the road work was impressive, most of which was done by hand. We went out on another excursion at 730am and the workers were already starting the day and when we came back around 530pm the workers were just finishing. Long hours for only making about 3000 khats (US $3) as we were told. We commented it was not very much; the response we received was the job does not pay much but it ensures a daily income. Although it is the way of life in Myanmar it was tough to see young children working. Interestingly and uncomfortably, [View Full Entry]

By geoffandmazi
May 28th 2009

Mandalay Asia » Burma » Mandalay

Mandalay 1

Mustache Brothers was listed in the Lonely Planet as a comedian group that at one time enjoyed some freedom practicing political satire. However, after some stints in jail and in labour camps the main actors only do their shows in English for tourists these days. The group consists of 3 brothers and their wives, who were activists for democracy and some of the comments/jokes are related to the situation in Myanmar. Par Par Lay, the oldest brother was specifically noted for doing his share of time. Even though some residents believe Mustache Brothers aren't the best comedians and that fees aren [View Full Entry]

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