FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY TO YANGON: April 8 to 12, 2006

FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY TO YANGON, MYANMAR: April 8 to 12, 2006

1.       It was the fact that Myanmar was kept out of the news due to the restriction and closed door policy of the military junta  which called itself ‘The State Peace and Development Council’ that attracted me to visit Myanmar.  The military government of the country was criticised for not practicing  democracy and having kept its well-known political activist, Daw Aung Sau Kyi, under house arrest and restricted her movement.  Myanmar is a member of ASEAN. In my planning to visit Myanmar I contacted an old MARDI friend, Dr Larry Wong, who visited the country regularly, because of his involvement in in the purchase rice when he was serving BERNAS (Beras National).  Subsequently, he established a company trading products from Myanmar. He introduced me to some contacts in Yangon and provided suggestion as to the hotel to stay in Yangon..

2.       I left with my wife on Saturday April 8, 2006, at 10.00 am in Flight MH 740 of Malaysian Airlines arriving at Yangon International Airport 2 hr 40 minutes later, approximately the same flight time from Kuala Lumpur to  Kota  Kinabalu.  The time difference is one-an-half hours with Yangon registering a later time.  On approaching Yangon the general ground appearance seemed dry and brownish grass cover.  The surrounding area of the airport appeared full of activities particularly construction work. It appeared that the airport was undergoing renovation work. We checked in at Grand Plaza Park Royal at a room rate of US$72 per night. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Bogyoke Market or Scott Market, a popular shopping centre for gemstones for tourists.

3.       Among the places of interests that we visited  during the four day stay were as follows:

3.1   Shwe Dangon Pagoda ( shwe –gold,  Dangon  is old name for Yangon).  The main stupa of the pagoda is coated with gold, thus its name.  It has four main prayer  halls situated to the north, south, east and west of the main stupa with many altars located throughout the compound of the Pagoda.  Being a Sunday the Pagoda was full of pilgrims and tourists. Many young boys in groups were in processions with monks, family members and elders  in the initiation ceremonies for monkhood. 

3.2   National Museum at Kau Dau Gyi Lake.  It is a four floor building.  The first floor is devoted to the development of the Burmese language through the periods of Pagan (11 to 13^th century), Inwa (14^th to 16^th century) and Taungnga (16^th to 17^th century); the second floor – culture of the people;  the third floor displayed the the various tribes in Myanmar and works of art of the artists; the 4^th topmost floor display images of Buddha.

3.3   National Races Village.  There are more than 135 tribes that make up the population of Myanmar.  Among them are the Zaiwar, Rawang, Lauwar, Lisu, Mai Thai, Tam Khon Ti, Tai Lon, Tai Lam, Tai Long, Kajan, Bwe, Sakaw Kayin. West Vokayin, Talipiwar, Mawneypwar, Mopwar, Kayin Pligu, Phalau Chin, Khmee, Mro, Khamer, Thak, Intha, Paoh, Lishaw,and Yin Kyar.  We visited to see exhibits and the culture displayed in the Bauyow Village, Rakhine Village, Hto Kekhanthew Temple, Kayai Village, Mon Village, Shan Village and Kayan Village.

3.4   Bogyoke Aung San Market.  This is the main shopping centre for tourists in Yangon.  Many gemstones stores are found in the area and a few of the sales people can communicate in Malay. Among the gemstones that are displayed were jades, amethysts, aquamarine, topaz, sapphires.

3.5   Silom Thai Village.  This was the location for traditional massage and Thai cuisines.

3.6   Wet Market.  Cashew nuts and dried shrimps were comparatively cheap.

4.        General Observations.  People are skinny and thin.  People still do a lot of  walking.  Cars, motor cycles or even bicycles are few. Buses were old with dents and scratches. Betel chewing was widespread and many carrying special trays with the  betel leaves and the condiments plying their sales of betel.