Non-violence Hey, sorry, Mell, I think you have me a little wrong here. I didn't say that non-violent protest was ineffective...I was saying that using the name 'Burma' instead of 'Myanmar' seemed ineffective. I know that non-violent forms of protest are what will eventually bring down the military junta...along with correctly implemented sanctions, a complete turnaround in the attitude of China to the regime, plus a belief by the Burmese people that they can force a change in their country. I long for that change as much as any right-thinking person, too.
Myanmar or Burma? I wouldn't say that simply not using the name 'Myanmar' is a very effective form of protest against the regime. The name of the country has very little to do with the way that the government misrules Burma. 'Myanmar' is just a label. The Burmese people pretty much all use 'Myanmar' to describe the nation, only occasionally using 'Burma'. They all call the national language 'Myanma'. Not calling it 'Myanmar' is a bit like still calling Iran 'Persia' because we don't like the tyrannical government there. It really does nothing to reduce the power of those who oppress their people.
''......it does seem childish to simply refuse to recognise the new name.''
Strange suggestion to make about a method of non violent demonstration against a tyrannical government. Great blog though! :)
To go or not to go... Well, we have been debating for well over a year about going to Burma (to us Burma is the right name too!). We were going to but the cyclone hit and we are still debating bout whether it is right to visit because we don't agree with the military dictatorship.
Your blog and perceptions have definitely given us something more to debate! Nice pics too.
A really interesting, insightful blog. Thank you for sharing your experiences... and for explaining the whole Burma/Myanmar thing. I knew the name was officially Myanmar and was confused to hear the BBC still referring to it as Burma. Thanks for clearing it up!
Enjoy your travels and I look forward to reading your next blog. :)
Fantastic list of lists!
Pushed me over - I'm going to Africa later this yeah.. First Madagascar, the rest of the continent will have to wait a little longer!
Cheers
Take care!
I can't remember thirty at all. How come your travels always end up being so exotic? Why aren't you back here worrying about the next term???? Enjoy yourself mate.
Ye ol' scallywag! Happy birthday Tom. Didn't know you were that old, always thought you were 25-something.
Enjoy Burma! Love to read about those golden stupas. Aili says "Hugs"!
Happy Birthday 30 -- I remember turning thirty. I came to Australia on holiday to celebrate and never really went back. We're enjoying our own tropical idyll in far North Queenland -- snorkled the GBR yesterday, very cool. See you back in the Big Smoke.
Cape Verde was Green.... fyi,. Cape Verde was green, so was monte verde, hence the names. Your narrative failed to report how the Portuguese ruined the feritle, lush landscape that led to its descriptive name. Also, the islands were inhabited---before the bunch of Ports came and raped the islands! Give more credit to nation built on ruined land--unlike great EURO on the backs of slaves!!
To Penda Please remember that African (Ghanaian) tribes also where part of slavery! - Yes we european have to accept our ugly past - but it is all to easy just blaming the white man!
Please also remember that slavery is still going on in West Africa - Blacks buying and selling Blacks! Kids without parents being kept as house slaves in Black households! and it goes on and on!
Just what I needed I've just seen the movie recently and was looking for follow-up info on Rwanda, how (if) people moved on. Your travellog answered all my questions even including what the hotel's name meant. Thank you.
ferry Unless you can arrange a private boat...there are no ferry services to Cape Verde from Senegal. Either you can arrange a boat from the Canaries/Madeiras, or fly from Dakar...
what a coincidence hey, funny thing, my names tom griffis, and another funny thing, the picture of the stairs and the gorgeous beach view, thats my private beach house property, and my private stairs, kinda funny that youre all up on my propertty and shit and you have basicly the same name as me................
Tom, I must say, I have sincerely enjoyed reading your blog over the past few months and I look forward to reading more from you soon, hopefully! Tiffany, USA
thanks tom! tom, thanks for sharing your adventures - you did an awesome job! best of luck and blessings to you and your gal :)
sincerely,
kimberly in oregon
Robin Hood That was a joke, Ernst. I detect more than a hint of racism in your comments. Try to take it easy and bear in mind that this blog is about my opinions, not what I think are cold, hard facts.
Travel happens when I can fit it in, nowadays, but it will always be my favourite hobby. Here's my list of the best bits so far, in thirteen years of hopping around the world:
Asia Angkor Wat (Cambodia) Taj Mahal and Varanasi (India) Annapurna Range and Kathmandu (Nepal) Bagan (Burma) Koh Phiphi (Thailand) Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and the Forbidden City (China) Peshawar and the Chitral-Gilgit road (Pakistan) Istanbul and Butterfly Valley (Turkey) Luang Prabang (Laos)
Americas Teotihuacan and Mexico City (Mexico) Lake Atitlan and Tikal (Guatem... full info
Rob_n_Lorenza
Rob & Lorenza B
Thanks for such an interesting entry. Really well written and great photos. Thanks for sharing it with us