So this is the message we get every time we try to access the internet: To browse Internet, please click Accept ________________________________________ Dear Valued Customers, “On 17 October 2011, Due to the failure of SEA-ME-WE 3 submarine fiber optic cable, the Internet connection was unstable. It is being fixed by concerned personnel and during this … Continue reading Internet Access
South East Asia
Ten Things to Do in Yangon
Ten Tourist Things to Do in Yangon With a mind to having guests here in the upcoming dry season (though in fairness baby’s arrival has rather put paid to a lot of planned visits, Nov – Mar being the optimal time to be here and us being in Thailand Dec – Feb) I’ve begun thinking … Continue reading Ten Things to Do in Yangon
Food Shopping
Shopping (from about Feb 2011) I’ve just been food shopping and realise I must jot down some observations before it all becomes too commonplace. I love foreign supermarkets wherever I go but City Mart is certainly an eye-opener. And it is the one supermarket chain geared towards expats. Fruit is like the opposite to home, … Continue reading Food Shopping
Toys We Like
15.09.2011 Toys We Like As it was Alfie’s 2nd birthday yesterday and people were very kindly asking what kind of toys he likes, I had a little think about it and came up with this list. Not that this is a request for gifts! Just something to remind us what he’s playing with most these … Continue reading Toys We Like
Aung Sang Sui Kyi
So I have just met the Lady, Aung Sang Sui Kyi (pron: Ang Sang Soo Chee) or Daw Sui as she likes to be called. My first and probably last meeting with a Nobel Prize Winner, the Peace one at that. By virtue of being secretary of the IFG here in Yangon, I also got … Continue reading Aung Sang Sui Kyi
Cultural Differences
20.05.2011 Cultural Differences One of the most difficult things to get used to here is that to a Burmese person, delivering bad news is considered very bad form indeed. So much so, that they will go to any lengths to avoid it, even outright lies if necessary. This is hard work for a Western brain … Continue reading Cultural Differences
The Hash
03.04.2011 The Hash You may have heard of the Hash House Harriers. Or, like me, have no idea that they are the world’s largest sporting club. With no members. Eh? Well, it’s like this. Some guys (Brits in Malaysia I think) got to thinking that they wanted to be able to carry on their favourite … Continue reading The Hash
Visa Hassles
02.04.2011 Visa HasslesWell, what did I expect? A smooth ride? An administrative system that WORKED? Less bureaucracy and more efficiency? What nonsense!The whole visa situation is so dull and tedious I am loathe to write about it but I have to because it puts some of our experiences into context and in any case impacts … Continue reading Visa Hassles
Thingyan Expectations
07.04.2011 Thingyan – Expectations So Thingyan (pron. tin-jan) is almost upon us. It is the annual Water Festival and VERY important in the Myanmar calendar, closely followed by the New Year which is, rather handily, the week after. It’s all to do with moons and Buddhism. This year it all kicks off on 12th April … Continue reading Thingyan Expectations
Secretary of the Women’s Blingstitute
18.03.2011 Secretary of the Women’s Blingstitute Yep, I have been elected Secretary of the International Friends Group, mentioned in an earlier blogpost. Not sure how that happened, except it was on their River Cruise event and I’d had a few warm white wines whilst gazing at a gorgeous sunset… Still, it’s been a while since … Continue reading Secretary of the Women’s Blingstitute
Vicky Blades 