Blogs from Burma, Asia - page 133

Burma Introduction Travelling to Burma (or Myanmar official name) is rather controversial these days. The country is run by a military regime (the Slorc or junta) which took power over 40 years ago after ethnic struggles had caused chaos in the post independence years. After years of mismanagement and corruption the economic situation got really bad in the late 80's. 8-8-88 is one of the milestones in the recent history of Burma. This was when large peaceful demonstrations were organised all over the country. The regime reacted by firing into the crowds. In a couple of weeks more than 2000 people (mostly students and monks) were killed. In the early 90's elections were held. These were won with a majority of over 80 pct by the opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi. The regime never ... read more

It was about 0.45 am Wednesday morning, 12 hours into an 18 hours bus ride from Inle Lake to Yangon (Burma) and I had just fallen a sleep after a midnight stop when I was violently thrown against the seat in front of me and there was a loud cracking sound. After that the bus was full of screaming people and began filling with smoke. Our bus had hit something... I could not see what it was because of the smoke and people desperately trying to open the windows and getting out through the back. I saw my seat was pretty much bent out of shape from the shock but I didn't see any fire. My first thought was that we had hit a cow or something. It seemed that the driver was trying to get ... read more

Myanmar First Impressions Millitary rulling is not the way to go. Though Myanmar lacks a lot of basic infrastructure, phones, internet, electricity, it still manages to be a wonderful place. Somehow a military run government has created some of the kindest people I have ever met. I decided to forgoe trying to get a plane ticket and just go overland to Myanmar. I entered the country at 10:02 am on March 15th. Start the clock that means I have 28 days or exactly 672 hours in Myanmar. I have decided to call this country Myanmar because I have learned Burmese in only one of some 35 different tribes that make up Myanmar. Thus the name Myanmar Encompases all of these differnt people. Back to my story... I entered via land. The lady at the border office ... read more

18th March 2006 - Bagan, Myanmar The journey down the Ayerwaddy (Irrawaddy) River was truly magnificent. Departing Mandalay at sunrise, we were privy to the new day breaking over a land of exquisite stupas, shining gold and white in the new day light. Fishermen were out in their long boats, attending to their nets in the muddy waters of the Irrawaddy. It couldn't have been a site from 13th century but for the site of a semi-completed iron bridge across the river - the first signs of development we had seen in days. There was as real mixture of passengers on the ferry; a package tour of French tourists, various independent travellers like us, and a smattering of first class travellers in very nice outfits. Despite this class of traveller I have to say that they ... read more

"Picturesque Dishevelment" is how the Lonely Planet has described Yangon, and for once, it has absolutely got it right. We're sitting outside Motherland Inn 2 as rickety old Chinese buses, circa 1947, pass by in the dark, half falling apart but jammed full of people (see the pics if you don’t believe me). A man in his longhi (the standard attire for all here - like a sarong but made as a complete skirt that is stepped into and creatively tied into a knot at the front) has spat his betel nut juice from his mouth onto the pavement - a common site as the red betel nut spray can be seen sporadically all over Yangon's roads. Betel Nut is a mild stimulant that is wrapped in a small heart-shaped green leaf and then placed between ... read more