I last went
to Myanmar 6 years ago just weeks after the Cyclone Nargis hit. The
amount of destruction wrought was still evident then with roofs blown
off and windows shattered and not repaired.
The country was still very much under
junta rule and government control was very evident. A sim card was
impossible to get, you would need to deposit USD1,000 and give
various documents and the military was everywhere.
Fast forward 6 years and Myanmar has
changed in warped speed. It was evident when you step off the plane.
The people were more bouncy, in that they had more bounce in their
steps. Everyone was looking happier. There is a sense that the future
belongs to them and they knew it.
Wow, it was totally a different
country. Along the way we saw new cars and evident of new wealth. Our
representative says that the hotels are doing roaring business. In
some hotel halls, there is a wedding every two hours!
We stayed in the hotel New Leaf, cozy
place.
Then we proceeded to find lunch.
Lunch was around the corner at a local
Myanmar Restaurant.
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| Sour and thick. I didn’t really enjoy it. |
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Fried eel. Fantastic
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Some greens. Overall a great lunch.
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Then we went to visit the swankiest new
shopping mall in Yangon, Junction Square. Comparable to the top malls
of Malaysia.
We went to the supermarket, and was
surprised by the offerings.
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Fried crickets. Yummy!
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The next day we visited Bogyoke Market
(Formerly Scotts Market).
Bogyoke market is famous for selling
precious stones, rubies, diamonds, jade… all girls best friend.
Antiques also sold here.
Oh… also the ever present delicacies.
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Crickets again… seems to be
everywhere.
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We then got to work. Ultrasound
Workshop in Parkroyal
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Even the local press came. Wow! We are
famous!
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It was a fruitful trip and changed my
perception of Myanmar. I will definitely come back.
By,
Hoh Wing Onn
Director Admission
