Public buses in Yangon

A singing bus conductor? This is a scene where the conductor shouts out to customers to let them know the route the bus is going. It is a very common sight in cities around Asia, however, it is a very uncommon sight through the eyes of a foreigner like Jack.

One hot summer day in Bago Myanmar

Here they are! The nuns of Myanmar! I was at Bago when I caught a group of nuns resting

under a tree on a hot summer day. I asked if I could take a few pictures; some obliged while others hid their faces behind the umbrellas. 

Asean Tigers

This is my longest vacation so far - six weeks in Asia covering Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong and Yangon. The trip gives me the chance to taste the good and the bad from an emerging city such as Yangon to a developed city state like Singapore. 

I travel to Kuala Lumpur every year, and each time I notice new condominiums, houses and shopping malls invading every last piece of land in and around the city. Beautiful old structures, and houses are slowly disappearing which is pretty sad.The government has been trying to improve the public transportation system in the city for years, but with more cars and less space, flyovers and overhead train systems have overtaken the once beautiful city I used to call home. Publics buses are dreadful and taxis are aggravating as I recall it took me nearly 5 hours to get home from the LCCT airport because of traffic and 'I-am-the-law' attitude of many taxi drivers in Kuala Lumpur!

My Malaysian Chinese friends are speaking out about the displeasure the current government is running the city and the country. Things are all bright and sunny in the media, but gloomy when you speak with people over cocktails. 

Kuala Lumpur has really nothing special to offer in tourism although there are the Bird Park, KLCC, Central Market, and the Islamic Museum. 

I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Palace with a friend. We thought it would be interesting as it just opened to the public recently. However, it turned out to be dreadful. No picture taking is allowed as we entered the palace. Visitors are blinded with lavish layers of fabric used as curtains from top of the ceiling to the floor. Unfortunately, it is ugly and distasteful done. As yellow is the royal color, visitors are overpowered with the color from room to room, not to mention the sparsely arranged furnitures. Being one of the most visited cities in the world, Kuala Lumpur is slowly lagging behind other places in the country like Malacca, Penang, and Borneo. I hope the coming election would make an impact on the people running the country, but until then the government needs to put a stop on giving permits out to build more commercial and residential buildings, and rethink their plan to improve the public transportation systems.

Singapore is slowly turning into a avant garde society. As the bus I was traveling eased through the traffic to its final destination at Singapore Ferry Terminal, I could see that the city's skyline has changed dramatically. Its Botanical Garden reminded me of a scene taken out from the Avatar movie. Not to be overshadowed, the Marina Bay Sands and Resort World casinos famed hotels' design is inspired by card decks with the infamous infinity pool at the very top. Besides the lovely skyline, public transportation in Singapore impressed me the most. It is so efficient and smooth that it makes going from point A to point B so easy. I did not spend much time in Singapore, but I did go to Orchard Road which is famous for its miles of shopping malls and designer stores. In Chinatown, vendors have their merchandise arranged in individual tents and this makes shopping so much fun. I love Singapore. What it lacks in terms of natural beauty, it is making it up with beautiful  buildings, structures, and other forms of entertainments.

The third Asean city I visited is Hong Kong. A visit to Hong Kong is like going to Times Square New York but a hundred times bigger. The protruding flashy signboards, people selling anything from Rolex watches, suits and new condominiums along Nathan Road near Peninsula Hotel are the sign of times. The subway systems linked endless blocks of retail stores underground. Buildings are generally old, vertical and monotone probably due to the lack of space in a densely populated area of a little over 400 sq miles. Although it is small, Hong Kong is packed with activities with its world class museums, entertainments, and not forgetting streets with names like Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Goldfish Street, Flower Market, Ladies Market and the list goes on.

This is my fourth time visiting Hong Kong. I chose to see other sights of Hong Kong that I have not seen before rather than visiting its tourists' attractions. I and my friend, Jack stayed at Chung King Mansion where hostels are plenty. This area is full of activities where strangers would offer anything at bargain prices. The hostel is a stone throw away from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, where Avenue of the Stars is located. Here, stars like the late Anita Mui, known as Madonna of the East, Sammo Hung, and Jackie Chan are honored. There is also a bronze statue of Bruce Lee. 

The Star Ferry is a classic way to get to Hong Kong from Kowloon. The ferries are more than one 100 years old operate along Victoria Harbor, and the trip takes about 15 minutes. The trip offers the best view of Hong Kong's skyline on any given day. The Central Mid-Levels Hillside Escalator is another interesting outdoor activity. The escalator takes you all the way up along Soho and nearby Lan Kwai Fong. Once you are up there, you can walk down and venture into the city's alleys and other hidden treasure troves. Hong Kong has a lot to offer to people of all ages. There are the Sea World, Disneyland, Ocean Park for the young and old, Lantau Island for the adventurous type, and Macau for the hopeful thinking of some quick cash. This Special Administrative Region is full of vibes with punches that would put you on a roller-coaster ride of fantasy and adventure.

Myanmar opened its doors to visitors recently, and it is attracting them like bees to honey. I was told to detour to other places like Mandalay, Bagan or Inle Lake when in Yangon. Unfortunately, my friends and I had second thoughts doing so the moment we thought of enduring 14 hours on either bus or train ride to any of those places. March is still the hot season, and it is not comfortable at all if you spend too much time outdoor. In addition, air-conditioner is a luxury not a necessity in Yangon. 

The stunning Shwedagon Pagoda is the centerpiece of the city with a gleaming golden stupa measuring almost 100 meters in height. At sunset, the stupa reflects the rays that shine on it with golden hues. There are constant swirl of activities surrounding the stupa as worshippers performing rituals around deities and shrines, while tourists keep snapping pictures for their photo albums.

Bogyoke Aung San Market is another interesting place which sells a wide range of Burmese handicrafts, from woodcarvings, lacquerware to jade and gems. If you are interested to have a dress or curtain made, you can select the fabrics and the seamstress will do that for you right there. The Bogyoke Market is very close to the Indian quarter. Everyday at 4 pm streets are occupied with vendors selling fruits and vegetables, bottled concoctions and snacks to the aroma of curry powder and other herbs and spices. 

Sule Pagoda is a good starting point for any first time traveler to the city as it is situated in the heart of downtown Yangon. The pagoda is surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants, and swirling traffic. In Yangon, one can't help but notice big container of distilled water in major public places to quench one's thirst on a hot day. The locals drink from cups which are attached to the container with strings but foreigners are not encouraged to do so. "No drink. Not good for you", said a local. I guessed foreigners do not have the kind of resistance the locals have in their immune systems. The Circular Railway is a local commuter rail network that serves Yangon metropolitan area. It's a 29-mile loop system that connects to towns and suburbs to the city with 39 stops. The ride around the loop takes about 4 hours. If you are interested to have a little taste of local life in Yangon, this is highly recommended but take the ride early in the morning as the train can be very hot.

Asia does provide diversity in culture, food and religion. Although there are some drawbacks in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Yangon, on the whole Asia does give a certain flavor which you will never find anywhere else in the world.

I might visit Myanmar again as I have yet to explore Mandalay and Bagan. I missed Macau while in Hong Kong but I will go back. I promised myself I should stay longer in Singapore on my next trip and I will definitely explore other places in Malaysia besides Kuala Lumpur next time. 

Dessert for the coming summer

Cendol is a common dessert in South East Asia. The ingredients are coconut milk, green jelly noodles (derived from pandan leaf), shaved ice and brown sugar. Delicious!