The girls and I wanted to take perhaps one last holiday in SE Asia. Jed really didn't have vacation time left, and Evan is so done with third world travel. How different can Myanmar be from Cambodia, Thailand or Vietnam? We were lucky enough to have our visa's granted by their government so we could see for ourselves.
I sense and appreciate the differences, albeit subtle, between all these countries. Myanmar, formally Burma until 1989, is the largest country in SE Asia, sharing borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. Buddhism has great influence on the daily simple life of the Burmese. They are a friendly people with a rich culture and on old history. It is rare for the Myanmar people to meet American visitors. They admired the girls fair skin, eyes and hair.
Myanmar has been through many wars, political unrest, and natural disasters. I didn't think we would ever have the opportunity to visit this country during our expat assignment. Since we have lived in Singapore, Myanmar has kept Suu Kyi under house arrest (on/off since 1989 for her outspoken criticism of the Junta) despite recent pressure for her release, in 2007 the government raised fuel prices 500% causing an uprising that led 10,000 Monks to march in protest (some were killed, some are still imprisoned). Cyclone Nargis hit in May 2008, killing ~140,000 people. Remember it took the Myanmar government 3 weeks to allow people in to help. The Myanmar people we spoke with are certainly unhappy with their government, and are hopeful for change with the upcoming 2010 election.
We traveled through Yangon, visiting the 2500 year old Swedagon Pagoda. We flew to Bagan, where thousands of pagodas, temples and stupas dot the ancient capitals landscape. We bicycled among the ruins and off the path into little villages. And when we couldn't cycle any more, we traveled by horse cart into the evening. Another early morning flight took us to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. The villages, and our hotel, are built on stilts over the water. We witnessed the Intha people rowing their boats with one leg while they fished and saw their floating gardens that are built up from strips of hyacinth and mud and achored to the bottom with bamboo poles. We enjoyed the busy morning market and set off on a five hours trek through remote hill tribe villages and farms. Little education. No electricity, cars, plumbing or McDonald's. Lots of people wearing the traditional longyi, beautiful views and bright stars in a pitch black night sky.
Despite coming home with upset and uncomfortable bellies, we feel so lucky to have traveled within this unique country that was virtually sealed off the the outside world since 1962. We supported locally owned hotels and restaurants, rather than government owned and bought handicrafts directly from the artisans, rather than government shops. The hardship and the oppression of these poor people did not keep them from warmly welcoming us to their "Golden Land."
Thanks for reading.
Lots of love to you all.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Hong Kong
After Evan's baseball tournament ended on a Sunday afternoon (see below) we sent the team and some other parents on their way to the airport, but Lauren and I stayed for another 24 hours in Hong Kong. It was not much time, but we took advantage as best we could.
I had to get back to the hotel to clean up as it was so hot and I was very sweaty. After spending some time planning our evening, we went off to the Mandarin Oriental, one of the nicer hotels in "Central" for a cocktail. It was not far from our hotel, and we took the cable car that runs in downtown Hong Kong. It was quite cool.
After our cocktail, we went off to a little cafe type restaurant that was recommended. It was french and we had a nice meal. The neighborhood was quiet, but then again, it was a Sunday night. After dinner it was time to fit in a couple of touristy things to do. We made our way down to the pier and had a cruise on a replica "junk" boat. There were only a few others on the boat and we enjoyed a cruise around Hong Kong harbor (or harbour).
Finally, after our cruise we headed up to "the Peak". Hong Kong is very hilly and the Peak is an area on top of one of the larger hills that provides a great view of the city. Unfortunately, it is also quite commercialized with a mall up there, among other things. We took a tram up to the peak and it feels like you are going at a 45 degree angle much of the time.
That was all we could fit in and so it was off to the hotel for some rest.
The next morning, we got up early and made our way back toward the Hong Kong International School and trekked along a trail known as the Dragon's Back. It was a great trek and it was up and down just like you were climbing over a dragon's back. From the higher spots you had nice views of water on both sides. It really is quite nice that in such a busy city, there is a trail like this where you can get away from it all. We trekked the round trip and it took us most of the morning.
We had to make our way back to the hotel and clean up for the trip to the airport. In the neighborhood of our hotel, we were able to walk around a bit and taste some local fare. Their were local bakeries and, of course, we had to try some of the specialties. The best items were the egg tarts, which were freshly made. Lauren and I also enjoyed the local coffee and tea respectively.
Hong Kong is known as a busy and vibrant place. I know there is much more to enjoy there, but we did our best to make the most out of our 24 hours after the baseball tournament.
I had to get back to the hotel to clean up as it was so hot and I was very sweaty. After spending some time planning our evening, we went off to the Mandarin Oriental, one of the nicer hotels in "Central" for a cocktail. It was not far from our hotel, and we took the cable car that runs in downtown Hong Kong. It was quite cool.
After our cocktail, we went off to a little cafe type restaurant that was recommended. It was french and we had a nice meal. The neighborhood was quiet, but then again, it was a Sunday night. After dinner it was time to fit in a couple of touristy things to do. We made our way down to the pier and had a cruise on a replica "junk" boat. There were only a few others on the boat and we enjoyed a cruise around Hong Kong harbor (or harbour).
Finally, after our cruise we headed up to "the Peak". Hong Kong is very hilly and the Peak is an area on top of one of the larger hills that provides a great view of the city. Unfortunately, it is also quite commercialized with a mall up there, among other things. We took a tram up to the peak and it feels like you are going at a 45 degree angle much of the time.
That was all we could fit in and so it was off to the hotel for some rest.
The next morning, we got up early and made our way back toward the Hong Kong International School and trekked along a trail known as the Dragon's Back. It was a great trek and it was up and down just like you were climbing over a dragon's back. From the higher spots you had nice views of water on both sides. It really is quite nice that in such a busy city, there is a trail like this where you can get away from it all. We trekked the round trip and it took us most of the morning.
We had to make our way back to the hotel and clean up for the trip to the airport. In the neighborhood of our hotel, we were able to walk around a bit and taste some local fare. Their were local bakeries and, of course, we had to try some of the specialties. The best items were the egg tarts, which were freshly made. Lauren and I also enjoyed the local coffee and tea respectively.
Hong Kong is known as a busy and vibrant place. I know there is much more to enjoy there, but we did our best to make the most out of our 24 hours after the baseball tournament.
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